Chester: 01244 739 999
Birmingham: 0121 651 1863
London: 0203 343 6719
Hi, my name is Lilyana Flon! Like many teenagers, I left school and went straight into college with a weekend job. I am now 19, and three years down the line, I’ve decided to start an apprenticeship at Klickstarters parent company, Searchability.
An apprenticeship programme never really occurred to me when I left school, as I had no idea what I wanted in life. Choosing to do Hair and Beauty in college, I didn’t end up staying for long, as I knew that wasn’t the career path I wanted. Then I jumped from job to job from 16 to 19, which was mainly hospitality work such as waitressing, barista work, and bartending.
I always had an eye for social media, marketing, and business, and I felt my attention to detail was spot on. I also have a creative mind, which would be an advantage for what I want to do in the future.
My experience on the job so far has only been positive. I arrived on my first day and had an introductory meeting explaining the ins and outs of Searchability. I was then able to proceed with the next few days, feeling informed of what the job entailed.
Anyway, let’s move forward. Here are a few reasons why the different types of apprenticeships could benefit you!
A big plus to an apprenticeship is that I’m learning on the job and earning money while doing so. Being surrounded by other people who are experienced and enjoy their job makes learning so much easier, more enjoyable, and quicker. Having the support of other colleagues can make a massive difference.
Every day I’m learning more and more about what Searchability and Klickstarters stand for. Here are just a few examples of what my role as a Business & Marketing apprentice consists of making changes and updates to websites, reaching out to clients via phone or email with candidate care support, and creating written content such as blogs, polls, and social media posts.
Starting an apprenticeship can really improve employability in the future. If you’d like to stay where you are by the end of the contract, that is a possibility; never be shy about asking your employer. Or, moving on to the next, you have tons of work experience under your belt to help you along the way; anything is possible.
With my role, I will receive a qualification at the end of my apprenticeship and much more, such as communication skills, social media marketing, business development, etc., which I can include in my CV. Klickstarters offers a CV builder to help generate a perfect CV. All it takes is a few easy steps, and you’ll be ready for the job hunt.
A huge shift for me when I left hospitality was the work-life balance I now have. I went from working late nights, weekends, and bank holidays to working Monday through Friday, finishing around the same time as a lot of my friends, and being able to do things I used to miss out on is delightful. Being only 19, you can feel that you miss out on a lot when working on the weekend and feel as if you’re “wasting your teenage years away”.
Working with Searchability I’ve received so many key benefits on top of already having a great job and qualifications, such as student discounts, help with dental care, the cycle-to-work scheme, and all sorts of other things. The list goes on. Another great thing is every #FirstFriday of the month we hold a little get-together to celebrate the previous month, the most recent was fancy dress as Heroes vs Villains to raise money for the charity Mind.
The Searchability and Klickstarters team also attends Chester races together, being able to get all dolled up and celebrate with your colleagues can bring you together and help form friendships in the workplace, which I know can be daunting when first starting a job.
When I left school, I felt so lost and confused, as I left in the year of COVID-19, which meant I was unable to sit my GCSEs and unable to attend prom. On top of that, I was stuck inside for months, which took a big toll on my mental and physical health. I would let my thoughts take over, such as being unsuccessful and not knowing what I wanted as a career path. After a year or so, I started thinking about what I wanted in life and how I could achieve it.
It was only in the year 2023 that I decided to start looking for an apprenticeship, and I landed myself an interview at Searchability. After preparing myself for this, I was told they would like to offer me the job. I was over the moon and couldn’t remember the last time I felt this ecstatic over an opportunity. I was in awe, as I felt this role was career-driven and a lifelong opportunity with incredible benefits.
Working in an office surrounded by people who can support you can be such a weight off your shoulders. I am happy to ask questions, no matter how stupid I think I sound. I’ve felt well-supported and respected since being here.
Office life makes the day go so much quicker; it’s a great atmosphere inside and outside of work.
If you are like me and confused but like the sound of what an apprenticeship entails, get in touch with Klickstarters at [email protected] or you can call our Chester (01244 7399 999), Birmingham (0121 651 1863), or London (0203 343 6719) offices, where a member of our team will be waiting to take your call and be happy to assist you on your next steps.
