“My job is just so rewarding”
Leon Soyinka Sinden, 19, moved from Bristol to London to start an apprenticeship in PR and communications
“I was originally planning to study politics at Newcastle, but one day I decided to have a quick browse on the Civil Service apprenticeship website. I’d always wanted to work in government and it seemed such an incredible opportunity. I applied on a bit of a whim and went through the interview rounds, and then did a presentation on why more young people need to get involved in politics – but I never thought I’d get in.
“At first it was a bit of an overwhelming experience, going into these great buildings. You can’t believe you’re in this position, seeing all these really senior people in this massive government office. It took time to get my head around that, getting off the Tube every day with Big Ben behind me. I’m just a normal person!
“Now I’ve been working here for three
“I get a salary and still spend 20 per cent of my time studying”
months and it’s been great – although it feels like a lot longer because I’ve learned so much. Being in the centre of the Cabinet Office I get involved in lots of different areas, so I’m in the community and engagement team for the central GCS team, working on internal newsletters as well as helping run the social media channels. I get paid a full-time salary and still spend 20 per cent of my time studying.
“Before taking the apprenticeship I was worried about not making friends like you do in university. But I am part of a large cohort of apprentices and so have had lots of opportunities to socialise with them.
“I think about 90 per cent of apprentices go on to get a job. After this I’d like to do something in climate communications, maybe for another COP [Conference of the Parties].
“The apprenticeship is 18 months and so there’s always the option to go back to university if you decide that it’s not for you.
“But I think the vast majority of people decide that it is for them. I think it’s really magical. It’s just so rewarding, knowing that every day you’re working to hopefully benefit people, working to help make changes and save lives.”