Year 13 students Prisha and Aisha are preparing to start degree apprenticeships with leading companies, combining their studies with valuable hands-on experience. They share their journey and offer advice for those considering this career route.
Two Year 13 students from NLCS, Prisha and Aisha, are set to begin exciting degree apprenticeships at prestigious companies, offering them the opportunity to gain both academic qualifications and practical work experience.
Prisha has secured a degree apprenticeship in Financial Services with JP Morgan Chase. She will be studying for a BSc in Applied Finance at the University of Exeter, while also working towards a CISI qualification. Her role will vary depending on the team and division she joins, providing her with the chance to learn and apply new skills while contributing to the bank’s projects. The CISI qualification covers key areas such as securities, risk in financial services, and technology in the sector.
“I chose a degree apprenticeship over the traditional university route because it offers the best of both worlds,” said Prisha. “It gives me the chance to gain practical experience while earning a degree. I realised during my work experience that I enjoy working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, so I felt this apprenticeship would be a great fit for me.”
To secure her apprenticeship, Prisha went through a challenging selection process, including multiple rounds of interviews, an assessment centre, and an in-person group interview. To prepare, she practised her answers and took part in mock interviews. “Staying relaxed was key,” she explained. “It’s important to remember that the interview is also about you finding out if the company is the right fit for you.”
Aisha, who will be studying Digital and Technology Solutions at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), has secured an apprenticeship as a Business Analyst. She will be working full-time, gaining hands-on experience while studying for her degree. The role offers Aisha the chance to apply her academic knowledge in a real-world context.
Aisha chose the degree apprenticeship route for several reasons. “Financially, the opportunity to have no student debt and also earn a salary was very appealing to me.,” she said. “It also offers a great opportunity to network and gain work experience, which would be much harder to do after/during university.”
Her advice to younger students considering this path is simple: “I think it’s definitely worth giving it a try. The benefits of a degree apprenticeship are amazing, and it can help to lay a really solid foundation for your career. If you prefer practical learning rather than purely classroom-based teaching, it’s a great option!”
As Prisha and Aisha prepare to begin their degree apprenticeships, their experiences highlight the many advantages of this career path, combining the academic rigour of university with the valuable skills gained through work.
