From School to Success- Navigating Career Paths

In honour of National Apprenticeship Week, we asked Nadia Bailey, who works in our Apprenticeship Team about her journey from School to the world of work, and how she came to The ITP!

As I sit down to reflect on my career, I can't help but remember the twists and turns that brought me to where I am today. Now, at 25 years old and a proud mum to a vibrant 5-year-old, my professional journey has been anything but conventional.

The road from education to a successful career is an adventure full of unexpected turns, tears and a lot of anxiety. In my case, the path involved passing my GCSEs, enrolling in a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Early Years Education, and eventually discovering my true passion in the field of Customer Service within the Institute of Telecommunication Professionals. Join me as I recount the challenges, setbacks, and achievements that shaped my professional journey.

My Time in Early Years Education

As you can imagine, the most daunting experience is finding employment after leaving school. Having applied for numerous roles and being unsuccessful, I found an opening within a Nursery. At the age of 16, I enrolled onto a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Early Years Education. I must admit, I did enjoy working with children as I found it very rewarding and was able to move up the ranks to room leader fairly quickly. However, after completing my Apprenticeship, I soon realised I wanted a career with more room for growth and progression.

Exploring Different Avenues

Undecided about where I fit in the working world, I explored various options. At this point, I felt like a failure as I had no idea what industry to get into let alone any expertise or qualifications. I grasped onto anything I could find and underwent Barista training followed by an NVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing. I know what you’re thinking… where was I going with this? And the answer to that is I had absolutely no idea. As shallow as it sounds, my main goal was being employed and gaining a wage. The demands of hairdressing included long hours and a physically demanding work load, which clashed with my responsibilities as a young Mother. I soon realised that I felt underwhelmed and needed somewhere thrilling and to really push myself.

Welcome to Criminal Law

My journey took a turn when I secured a position as a receptionist in a Criminal Law firm. As intriguing as Criminal Law is, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry were apparent. Constant scrutiny and pressure to uphold a certain physical appearance took a huge toll on my Mental Health, especially as a young Mother. As a usually confident and positive individual, this impacted my self-confidence massively. So once again, I made the decision to change my career path, looking for that ‘perfect fit’. If you are reading this and struggle with the same experiences and self-scrutiny, just know you are not alone!

A Leap of Faith

Motivated to find a place where I felt accepted, supported and could push myself, I enrolled onto a Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship at the ITP. After a reassuring interview, I soon felt relieved and found a team I could truly relate to (bonus points, they are just as mad!).

A year into my apprenticeship, I have not only recruited numerous apprentices struggling to find their place, but have also managed and launched several large projects! As a Business Development Executive, I have found a role where my skills are recognised and I can flourish. This positive environment has allowed me to overcome my previous challenges, and even think more positively about myself. I now look forward to my future with such an amazing team and am excited for the future!

Finding my Place

My journey from school to a fulfilling career has been anything but straight-forward. Through many challenges, I have learnt the importance of self-discovery, courage to challenge perceptions and the true value of a supportive work environment. As I now look forward to my future with such an amazing team, I am ready to embrace whatever comes next and am genuinely excited for the future!