So we've come, to the end of the road...

Hi Guys,

As my completion date draws closer I wanted to take this chance to share my experience about my apprenticeship as a whole. Prepare for a lengthy rant. I hope you find it useful whether you’re interested in apprenticeships or entering the world of work.

My Old University Room

The Beginning…

My apprenticeship was plan B. I was in university enjoying the perks of living on campus, students rave nights and being able to skip lectures and still pass assignments with a grade B and above.

I loved university, but quickly found my course wasn’t for me. I decided to leave fairly early; living as a student whilst not actually studying is quite the life. However, all good things come to an end.

As summer approached it hit home I needed another option. This is where apprenticeships stepped in. I got my head around what they offered and was really excited to do one.

My excitement was quickly diminished after 5 long months of ‘unsuccessfuls’ and ‘application denied’. Finding an apprenticeship was as difficult as getting into university; I started to panic, I hadn’t planned on not graduating. Being unemployed and unsure where you’re heading is an issue that unfortunately far too many young people are experiencing. With limited opportunities to satisfy the ambition and aspirations of my generation, it’s very common for people to settle. In a way that’s what I did.

Starting My Apprenticeship…

I was offered the role of Marketing Assistant at DiVA; the feelings differed to when I was accepted into university. University was always my plan, when I enrolled I was over the moon, everything was falling into place. 

Baby Me :)

I was happy to start at DiVA, but was unsure and scared. It very much resembled my first day at nursery. It wasn’t in my plan and I never really showed an interest in marketing.  I didn't know where it would take me but was worried I wouldn’t have anything if I didn’t go with it, so I took the position.

My Apprenticeship…

My day as Lead DiVA

After getting a grasp of working at DiVA and getting my head around marketing I began developing genuine interest for the field. I’ve learnt the importance of marketing. Whether you’re a product, company or person, no matter how amazing your idea or how talented you are, if you can’t market yourself, it’s pointless. I began incorporating my apprenticeship into my new plan, which helped me adjust easier. I was happier not only at work but also within myself. I was learning new things and meeting new people; living in the real world and experiencing it first hand is invaluable, for me personally, it was more beneficial than being taught how to do a job. I wasn’t being taught; I was doing it and learning as I went along.  I never felt I was missing out on education as I’ve been studying alongside my job. I really got the best of both. 

My Director (Arit Eminue) and I

If I had to describe my apprenticeship in one word it would be challenging.

The past year has tested my limits and stretched me further than before. It has been hard in the workplace as well as outside of it. Being the only one of my friends to leave university and do something different felt lonely at times. You don’t get a summer break, you can’t go raving on a weekday, and you have to be so responsible.  I cannot stress how much I miss student loan and regular trips to Westfield’s.

It’s been hard, tough, and there have been times I felt like quitting, but it has been real.  My eyes have been opened to the working world and it’s helped me understand where I wish to fit in it. As the end of my apprenticeship draws near I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride in myself, I feel rejuvenated and ready to face the world.

I will always be grateful for the opportunity that DiVA gave me, and even more grateful for the experiences I have had. With the ups and downs, I feel that apprenticeships offer an experience that would benefit so many people in this day and age.

Where To Now...

Ready for the world

I’m not sure where I would like to move onto but I know I am ready to move on. I am ready to explore all my possibilities; as important as it is to have a plan, I am ready to search for what is out there and not follow a route just because it has been tried and tested. I am confident enough in myself to do this, and the thought of it is so exciting.

As I wrap up the next few weeks at DiVA I want to say thank to all those who have listened to me rant on over the past year and I hope that it has helped or inspired you in some way.

Everyone has his or her path to follow, just make sure you’re following it for yourself, no matter how different or scary it may seem.

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva 

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website

DiVA's New Marketing Apprentice- Selene Shaw

First things first, let me introduce myself to you all. I'm Selene Shaw DiVAs new Marketing Apprentice. (I still can't get use to saying that).  It's the 1st week of my new job and I must say I'm enjoying it. Before I begin talking about how much I love my new job let me start with how I got here.

I've always been a creative person but have never really known what I wanted to do career wise. Even though I studied creative subjects at GCSE, due to an unhealthy liking to CSI, I conjured up the idea that being a Forensic Scientist was the job for me. Don't get me wrong I love science but this was definitely not one of my greatest decisions. Anyhow, after 3 excruciating years studying A-Levels, I managed to achieve grades that would secure me a place at University.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to get my firm offer and was accepted into Brunel University to study Media and Communications. I cannot explain to you how happy I was; after all those years studying subjects that I didn't want to do I was finally able to learn something I was interested in.

I didn't like my course.

Let me clarify, I absolutely loved University; it was an amazing experience but I just couldn't justify spending an obscene amount of money studying something I didn't enjoy. I had already gone through that with my A-Levels; so I made one of the scariest decisions of my life, and decided to leave University after my first year.

Instantly, I went into panic mode; no one will hire me without a degree! What am I going to do now? I'm going to spend the rest of my life flipping burgers! (Yes, I can be a bit of a drama queen).

After some INTENSE research, I discovered Apprenticeships. The idea of learning on the job seemed perfect for me, so I started applying. It took 5 months for me to hear back from anyone.  To be honest, when I got the phone call, I couldn't even remember which company it was I applied for, so after some strategic waffling, I found out it was DiVA inviting me to an interview with 20th Century Fox; who distribute films such as Prometheus.

I was overwhelmed; I said to myself:-

 "Yes, this is it? This is my big break!"

So I went shopping, bought a new blazer and did some major research about them. I was so ready for that interview.

I didn't get the job.

DiVA continued giving me advice, setting up interviews. I continued not getting the job.

When I saw that DiVA were offering a vacancy to work as a Marketing Apprentice within their offices, I jumped at the opportunity, and luckily for me, I was offered the job.

Here I am, 9 months later, finally doing something that suits me. We're a really small team  and a warm, friendly environment to work in. I this on Monday and spent the day updating Twitter and FaceBook via Hoot Suite; a social media programming tool I had never even heard of let alone used before. After a process of clicking buttons and hoping for the best I’ve managed to get the hang of it. I’ve also been uploading new jobs to the website, re-designing the new apprenticeship blog and attended a networking event at Channel 4 where I got to meet a fellow apprentices.

I'm looking forward to starting my Video Production modules because video is something I'm really interested in. Plus my office is based in Oxford Circus, which is somewhere I've always wanted to work (not because of the shops or anything, lol).

I will be regularly updating this blog letting you all know the adventures I get up to and what an apprenticeship is really like. You never know, if you like what you hear, it may be you filling out those applications soon.

Until next time...

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website