Profile: Belinda Dickins. Age: 20

I decided to become a journalism apprentice after spending 15 months at university studying a completely unrelated course. I wasn’t enjoying the course itself, but also we only spent two days in university a week. This wasn’t enough to keep me as busy as I would like, so I made the decision to leave and pursue another interest of mine: journalism. I wanted to stay in education and thought an apprenticeship would be perfect, to be given the opportunity to learn while gaining relevant experience - and getting paid. There are so many more opportunities to meet people through the apprenticeship and to experience things that I wouldn’t necessarily have been able to in full time education. I like that I am able to learn from people who have been in the profession for many years and I feel like a valuable member of the team, already having work published. I love the balance between the academic and practical side and I am given the time and support needed to learn how to do everything. It is amazing that every day I am excited to come to work and can’t wait to see what I will be doing and learning that day! It is great working with other apprentices because we can support each other and if I don’t know something, one of the others is likely to. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who is motivated and would like to work alongside their education - and just have lots of fun.