I've always been a creative person, dreaming about a career that would allow me to express my ideas and passion for design.

In August of 2023 I was enduring yet another redundancy – which was becoming an all too familiar scenario after many years of working in office and retail jobs, and with the big 3-0 knocking on the door, I knew it was time for something different. So, instead of applying for the same old compliance-based roles, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship with the Learning & Development team at Oasis.

It’s always been important to me to be qualified and gain a degree, however, while needing to support my family and pay bills, I wasn’t in the position to be able to afford giving up full time work to study. The apprenticeship has provided me with a unique opportunity to combine a formal university-level education with practical hands-on experience while earning a meaningful salary.

My journey into the world of design so far has been nothing short of transformative. One of the best things about my apprenticeship has been how I can apply what I learn in my university programme to practical real-world projects. I regularly get the chance to take what I learn through the apprenticeship programme and apply it to my day-to-day work.

I've worked on a variety of design projects, from designing digital learning courses, to developing visual identities, and creating animations. This hands-on experience is helping me build a diverse portfolio, deepen my understanding of the design industry, and learn how to bring creativity into an educational setting.

As well as the practical skills I’ve gained, the apprenticeship has also given me the opportunity to build a professional network. I've had the chance to collaborate with talented designers on projects for Oasis, meet industry leaders through work experience placements at established design studios, and connect with colleagues within Oasis, learning from their knowledge and experience, which has been invaluable.

I've found the apprenticeship to be personally rewarding and professionally fulfilling. It has allowed me to utilise my existing experience and skills, while expanding my knowledge and abilities – not just at university, but every day on the job too. It has allowed me to pursue my passion for design and begin building a career that I'm truly excited about and proud of.

If you're considering a change from ‘a job’ to a fruitful career or looking to develop your skills in your current role into something more, I highly recommend exploring apprenticeship opportunities. It's a fantastic way to gain practical experience, a qualification, make a living, and achieve your career dreams.