From rejecting a football offer at Watford to working at the world's largest asset manager at 18!

Imagine dedicating 12 years of your life to a passion. Waking up everyday looking forward to the next, and maybe even finding your sense of self within the process. Well, for me that was lost when i made the decision to decline the opportunity to join a professional football team the year of my GCSEs.

My name is Tia Melika El-Ahmadi, a 1st year apprentice at the world’s largest asset manager. You’re probably wondering how I got here, which quite frankly I’m not too sure how. But the one thing I am sure of is that it wasn’t just luck beating the 0.05% odds of gaining an apprenticeship, it took vital decisions that had negative short term consequences, but in the long term has led me to fulfilling my potential in this new path.

I lived, breathed, ate, and slept football. It felt like my purpose in life, and the only passion I could ever see myself pursuing. The training it took was more than just “chasing a ball around for 2 hours.”

Football and like other sports requires the training of your mind, your body, and your confidence. Without one, all else would suffer. I remember the car journeys after a bad game, seeing your teammates flourish to new heights whilst you’re sitting there with the feeling of being not good enough.

That inherent insecurity isn’t one that goes unnoticed, it starts to manifest itself in the 90 minute game where one mistake has a domino effect and all of a sudden you're not performing with passion anymore, just emotion and self doubt.

Now us apprentices KNOW how tough the process is. You’re constantly comparing yourself with everyone around you, doubting yourself and again, that feeling of being not good enough? It manifests itself again with every rejection you face. Let me say it now, it’s most definitely not easy, but neither was declining Watford. It was a different form of rejection, it felt like nothing else was worth it anymore. I had put my studies to the side to fulfil my dream, and just like that it was taken from me.

For months and even years after I looked for a new hobby, a new passion, a new drive. I even worked with kids as a football coach, as a swimming teacher, as a nanny, as a kids camp lead and even did qualifications in each. What seemed to heal the wound only lasted for the short term, and at the start of year 13 my attention shifted.

I studied Psychology, English Literature and Politics. Law subjects, right?

Not for me. I wanted a change, a new approach to my future. I liked studying, I liked working, but I hated doing one without the other. I wanted balance, but I also wanted a career where I could showcase my individuality, a company that values differences and diversity of thought. And that is why I chose to do an apprenticeship.

Why Finance? I found it hard to commit to studies for a prolonged period of time, I enjoyed the pressure of cramming whilst balancing work. 18 months, a level 4 investment operations specialist qualification and the opportunity to gain an analyst role by the end, I was sold.

Now let me be honest, the switch from communicating with children to adults was far from easy. I remember thinking…

“What do you mean I can choose when to have my lunch break?”
“So I don’t need to ask to use the bathroom or fill up my water bottle?”

Even when I get the opportunity to speak to students about my journey, I see it as an incredible privilege . Everyday I feel inspired by the incredible drive of the youth, and the fact I was in their position this time last year makes it even more special.

So for anyone considering an apprenticeship, I want you to remember my story. I want you to showcase your individuality and find your sense of ‘self’ within the process. Be yourself, because everyone else is taken.

Short term sacrifices lead to long term benefits!

 

Tia Melika El-Ahmadi

BlackRock Apprentice | Client Experience

You can find out more and connect with Tia on LinkedIn.