Connie Matthews

Connie Matthews, 18 from Monmouthshire completed a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Marketing and Advertising through Sgil Cymru. She worked as an Advertising and Social Media Apprentice with Buzz Magazine in Cardiff.

 

Before the apprenticeship Connie, like many other young people, wasn’t keen on attending university but didn’t see any other option. Having previously struggled with the traditional ways of learning at school, Connie consciously chose a practical degree pathway to follow at University.

 

Connie said:

“Throughout sixth form, I aimed to get the grades to get into university. Despite not being overly keen on the idea of living away and going to university, I didn’t know what other options I had at that point.”

 

Connie moved away and attended university but soon realised that the pathway she had chosen wasn’t suited to her. After realising this, Connie made the move back home and started searching for a full-time job.

 

Through her Mother, Connie found out about the Level 4 Apprenticeship in Advertising and Marketing.

 

Connie said:

“It seemed too good to be true at first; I didn’t realise there were apprenticeships for things in the Creative Sector, I thought they were all to do with plumbing or electrical things.”

 

There are often many presumptions made about apprenticeships, some of which Connie has highlighted in her blog post. Sgil Cymru’s apprenticeships offer a full-time, paid position within an established company based in South Wales, whilst you complete a recognised Diploma qualification. The job roles, that come under Sgil Cymru’s three different apprenticeship pathways, vary from web development to advertisement, costume to camera and everything in between.

 

Connie said:

“Within a week of being at the magazine, my confidence was increasing rapidly. I have been there for almost 5 months now and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

 

Are you torn between going to university or doing an apprenticeship? Read Connie’s blog to hear about her journey and why an apprenticeship suited her better than university.