As National Apprenticeship Week comes around again, I’ve taken some time to look back on the year that has passed since I wrote my last blog, back when I was in the middle of completing my Business Administration apprenticeship at Social.
In September, I completed my final exams and assessments, passing my knowledge test and achieving a distinction in both my project presentation and portfolio interview. It was a huge milestone that felt like the perfect culmination of all the hard work, support, and learning throughout my apprenticeship.
I’m incredibly proud to now be sharing my story from the other side as an Operations Executive.
When I first joined Social as an apprentice through The Growth Company, I was nervous, unsure, and still carrying the weight of multiple job rejections and a lack of experience. I could never have imagined how much this opportunity would shape me. What felt like a last attempt at finding my place turned out to be the beginning of the career I’d been hoping for.
Looking back, the support I received during my apprenticeship set the foundation for everything that followed. My tutor at The Growth Company guided me with patience and clarity, making even the most daunting tasks feel manageable. At Social, I was surrounded by people who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. That encouragement gave me the confidence to push beyond my comfort zone and say yes to challenges, big or small.
Stepping into the Operations Executive role back in October has been both surreal and incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the chance to take on more responsibility and contribute to the wider culture and operations that keep Social running smoothly. One of the things I continue to love most is the variety: supporting internal projects, organising internal company events, helping shape employee experiences, and jumping into creative tasks that let me express ideas in new ways.
What’s been even more meaningful is realising how much I’ve grown as a person. I’m more confident, more vocal, and more assured in my abilities. I’ve learned that it’s okay not to know everything right away, as long as you’re willing to learn, ask questions, and stretch yourself. I now see challenges as opportunities rather than barriers, and I’m much more comfortable trusting myself in situations that would have intimidated me a year ago.
Being kept on and promoted after my apprenticeship is something I’m incredibly grateful for. It feels like a full-circle moment, the company that once took a chance on me now trusts me to contribute in even bigger ways. That’s something I don’t take lightly.
To anyone considering an apprenticeship or feeling stuck, rejected or unsure like I once was, remember the right opportunity can change everything. Mine did. It opened the door not just to a career, but to growth, resilience, and a sense of belonging I didn’t expect to find so soon.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come, excited for what’s next, and thankful every day that I didn’t give up when things felt impossible.
By Abigail Robe, Operations Executive
