Next in our series, we meet Juliet Dudley, who moved from an Admin Apprentice to Marketing Manager with AI start-up company, Flare Bright.
What made you want to pursue a career in the sector and an apprenticeship?
My route into the apprenticeship scheme probably differs from the experience of most people. I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a History degree in 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic. After finishing university I found the job market to be pretty bleak, and after applying for entry-level roles that still required 2+ years’ experience I started looking into apprenticeships. I soon realised that an apprenticeship offered a unique entry to working life, combining on-the-job training with real-world workplace experience.
I joined Flare Bright, an AI start-up company in Buckinghamshire, in November 2020 and since then have quickly advanced from Admin Apprentice to Marketing and Office Manager after discovering my interest in marketing and communications. As a recent graduate I already had a useful set of skills that I developed throughout my academic career, however I lacked the professional experience to accompany that skill set. Flare Bright provided me with that experience and a range of skills and industry knowledge, arming me with the skills and know-how needed to build a successful career.
What is your day-to-day role like?
My day-to-day role ranges from managing the office and workshop facilities to being responsible for the company’s communications and branding, and all the ad-hoc admin tasks in between. As a small and diverse company, Flare Bright offers the opportunity to work across different departments. I’ve worked on a range of tasks and projects that have enabled me to broaden my skill set and discover which areas of the business interest me most.
Have you worked on any interesting projects / programs during your apprenticeship?
One of the projects I recently worked on was improving Flare Bright’s onboarding process, which involved rewriting procedures and producing onboarding videos and surveys. The project is testament to Flare Bright’s commitment to supporting new employees and creating a friendly and welcoming environment. I’m currently leading a rebrand project which involves working with content creators and designers to firmly establish Flare Bright’s brand image. This has been an exciting and challenging project and has provided me with integral experience in how to develop a professional brand image.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to people looking to make a first step in their career?
I would without a doubt recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to start their career, regardless of age or academic background. Starting my career as an apprentice meant that I was supported from the outset and surrounded by experienced colleagues who provided me with invaluable training and industry knowledge.
What advice would you give to someone interested in an apprenticeship?
If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship my best advice would be to go into it open-minded. Be willing to take on challenging projects that may not necessarily fit your job description but will likely help you discover what you enjoy doing and what career path you want to go down. The role you start as an apprentice may not be the role you finish with, so make the most of the experience as it has the potential to set you up for a successful career.
