I wanted to be able to gain on the job experience while working towards a degree. As I learn new skills in the degree I am able to directly transfer them to my work place to improve myself.  

I started Sept 2019 and I found out about the apprenticeship at the City of York Council careers fair. I found out about my level 6 degree apprenticeship while working at Fera which just shows the different opportunities an apprenticeship has once you get into a company.

Identification of quarantine plant parasitic nematodes along with non-plant parasitic nematodes from various samples both entering and exiting the UK and internationally.

It gave me various key scientific skills such as report writing and time management. This has enabled me to contribute greatly to the work in the nematology team with picking up new roles, as well as enabling me to balance my university work along with my work at Fera.

I have grown as a person since starting the apprenticeship it has improved my communication skills as I am responsible for organising sample transfer to nematology within the Plant Protection Programme. It has also increased my confidence and developed my interpersonal skills with my work colleagues. It has also given me great time management skills.

Have a look and see what’s out there. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I started so I went to careers fairs and had a look at everything. After applying for various apprenticeships, I was lucky enough to get this one, so my main advice would be to just get out there and apply for anything you find interesting. Don’t feel like it ties you down to a certain profession as all skills are transferable in any job you want to do. University isn’t the only option you can do a degree through an apprenticeship and gain skills while you study and instead of getting in debt your getting paid to go to university!