My Journey into A Career My School-Self Didn't Think I Could Do

Over the last few years, I've been focusing on comparing myself to where I was previously, rather than to other people. When I compare myself now to where I was at school, it's amazing to think that I'm somewhere that I didn't think I could end up. That somewhere is the world of software development.

When I was figuring out my Key Stage 4 options in year 9, I nearly did NCFE Craft, but it was very similar to two of my other options (business and product design). Instead, I chose Computer Science - it felt a bit daunting because I found lessons hard in year 8 and 9 since that's when I was introduced to programming, but I've always had an interest in tech, even though my access to it was a little bit limited at home. I had some games consoles, which is probably where my interest in tech stems from, as well as a slow, shared laptop. I didn't have Wi-Fi, I relied on mobile data.

I found GCSE Computer Science very, very hard. Even harder than year 8 and 9. The first few months were very heavy with coding in Python, and this was something I struggled to get to grips with. I still trying to get my head round the different way of thinking, and I couldn't figure out how to transform problems into solutions via code, and how to solve the problems that the code threw at me.

I was really lucky that my Computer Science teacher did after-school sessions every week for revising, and he spent a lot of time helping me learn to code. In a lesson one day, we were given a coding exercise. I can't remember the exercise itself, but I can visualise sitting on the front row of that classroom and getting a huge kick out of completing it! It was the first time I was able to complete one independently. The feeling of doing coding turned from dread to excitement, and I went on to do more and started the HTML course on Codecademy.

That's not to say Computer Science was easy from then on. I still ran into issues, and some of the theory was tricky to take in. However, where I was at the end was much further compared to the beginning, both in terms of my confidence with the subject and what I knew. So much so that I even got a subject award for it!

What came next after GCSEs? When considering my pathways in Key Stage 4, my parents took me to an open evening by a local training provider, as well as an apprenticeships fair. I loved the idea of getting onto a level 3 apprenticeship after GCSEs. Originally, in tech but not something that involved coding. After I got stuck into coding, I changed my mind and wanted one in software development.

It didn't turn out exactly like that.

I struggled to find a level 3 software engineering apprenticeship in my area, which wasn't hugely surprising as I live somewhere that's somewhat rural! I ended up doing my backup choice - a BTEC in Computing and IT.

In the beginning, I felt like I wasn't where I should be; I loved my time at school and missed my friends who had mostly gone to sixth form, and because I didn't get an apprenticeship as intended. However, I ended up really, really loving it. I had the most amazing teachers who helped my passion for coding to blossom. They had encouraged me to start a coding club and go beyond what I was being taught in lessons, constantly suggesting improvements to the programs and websites I made so that they could be even better! I also did a Code Camp from a company called Kainos who helped to expand my coding skills and explore other areas of tech!

Throughout my time at college, I continued wishing doing an apprenticeship in software development, and I had my eye on a large company in the area who had done degree apprenticeships for a number of years. I went to one of their insight events and did work experience there in my first year. In my second, I applied to their apprenticeship program, which had a relatively long application process of 4 stages - filling in an application form, a digital interview, a situational strengths test, and an assessment centre. I mainly did the first 3 stages at college as I still lacked a Wi-Fi connection and only had the slow computer at home. The assessment centre was in-person at the company's office where I met other applicants and did a presentation with them as well as chatted at lunch and in between activities.

Between the situational strengths test and assessment centre, I applied for a company called PebblePad. I knew about them from a student in the year above me at college who had started the apprenticeship programme there, and they also came in to do a talk about software development in the industry. Their application process was smaller - I had to send an email to the apprenticeship program manager expressing my interest, attaching my CV. I then had a face-to-face interview with them, the same week as the assessment centre with the larger company.

The following week, I was very lucky to have had offers from both companies, and it was tricky to choose which one to go for! I'd heard positive things from apprentices at both, but I had wanted to work at the larger company for a long time, to the point where I had my heart set on it. Previously, I saw PebblePad as a backup possibility, but there was a particular call which made me strongly reconsider that. PebblePad knew that I was considering the larger company and were aware of the length of the process, and they called to offer to extend how long I had to let them know my decision. I appreciated that a lot, I felt cared about.

On top of this, I found it really easy to communicate with them, their working environment seemed friendly, and I liked the idea of starting my career in a smaller environment. Plus, they create educational software, so I'd get to contribute to a space I'm passionate about! Even though I'm sure I would've enjoyed it at the larger company, PebblePad felt like a better fit for me.

I'm now at the end of my apprenticeship, and I can strongly say that PebblePad was the best decision I made! When I started, I came in with a triple distinction star grade from college but had never had a full-time job before and was relatively shy. Now, I can work in a large codebase with ease and contribute new features and bug fixes thanks to my mentors and experience. My confidence has grown massively; I'm better at asking for help and I've had presentation opportunities at work, like at one of our customer events, as well as part of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN). In the AAN, I've had the opportunity to share my story via talks and case studies and become one of the Co-Vice Chairs in the West Midlands region to support the background running of the network and lead our Apprentice Champions - a senior role we introduced to support new and existing ambassadors and lead initiatives. My professional network has grown on LinkedIn, and I benefit from hearing other people's insights and sharing my own learnings. The cherry on top was getting recognised for all this and being lucky to win the Apprentice Award in the Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2023.

Key Lessons

• Compare yourself to yourself
• Be open to other opportunities than your 1st choice - not just so you have a backup plan, but also because you may discover a path that you love even more.
• Put yourself out there by going to insight/open events and speaking to people so you can make informed decisions
• Get comfortable with asking for help - not only for when you're looking at next steps and what you need to accomplish them, but you 100% will need to when you're working. You won't be expected to know everything upfront.
• Go beyond what's being given to you. Get involved in extra-curricular activities to discover what you're interested in and challenge yourself. Make the most of the opportunities you can get.

 

Christa Bridges

Apprentice Application Developer at PebblePad 👩🏻‍💻 | WMAAN Co-Vice Chair 🪑

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