GetMyFirstJob Ambassador
Hello, I Am Oliver
An apprenticeship puts you ahead of the crowd when it comes to real, on-the-job experience!
Tell us more about your experience
In my day-to-day role, I provide architectural guidance and conduct proof of concepts to evidence and allow the team to make informed decisions on the guidance we give. I also assess and maintain the visualisation tools and their given use cases. One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on has been on a proof of concept – as a result of this, it changed the way encryption of data is done across the entirety of Vodafone!
One of my proudest moments with Vodafone is knowing that the work I’ve done as an apprentice with the company has changed the whole business for the better! I originally chose the apprenticeship route as I knew I didn’t want to continue with full-time education. I wanted to earn while I learnt, and an apprenticeship was the best way to achieve this without any university debt.
”To anyone considering an apprenticeship, do it!”
It’s hard work, but it’s much more rewarding than I thought it could ever be! I broke my back during college, which meant that it took me four years to achieve my A-Levels. This really forced me to change the way I thought about my education and life as a whole.
After four operations, it was easy to start slipping into saying ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I won’t be able to do that’, but as cliché as it is, I realised I had to push myself and work hard in both my physical recovery and mentally. I have now made a full recovery and am recognised as a top performer at work. I couldn’t be more thankful for the perspective this journey has given me.
I have received full and total support in all aspects from my employer. Their support has been phenomenal. If I’m struggling, I know I can ask for help without judgement, no matter if it’s work-related, mental health, or even social life. The community at Vodafone is amazing. My training providers have also given me great support. If I ever need any help with uni, or in my life as an apprentice, I know they are always just a quick message or email away!
I’ve learnt so many things as an apprentice; it’s hard to put them all down on paper.
One of the most impactful things I’ve learnt is how to interact and collaborate with stakeholders in the workplace, workload management, and the technical skills and understanding that help me in my day-to-day role. So, even though the apprenticeship route might sometimes take a bit longer than traditional education, it puts you ahead of the game when you graduate with years of experience under your belt too!
At the end of my apprenticeship, I see myself staying with Vodafone and progressing into a permanent role within my current team or perhaps another in the company. The apprentices at Vodafone have had many conversations with our employer about our options, and Vodafone is keen to help us in the off-boarding process and support us in any way that we need.
Interested in becoming an ambassador? Find out more!