Ciaran shares his apprenticeship insights

This National Apprenticeship Week we caught up with Ciaran Mclean, Marketing and Business Development Apprentice to find out why he decided to pursue an apprenticeship and what his highlights have been so far. He also tells us about his future ambitions and why he would recommend an apprenticeship to others.

Why did you decide to pursue an apprenticeship in marketing and business development?

An apprenticeship combines education and real-world experience very well, meaning that I get a well-rounded view of the career I want to go into without needing to undertake a University Degree.

Marketing and business development has always interested me due to my experience of marketing my own business, and I wanted to test my skills in a professional environment. I really enjoy writing content and looking at data and analytics to see how tweaking things can have a positive impact on the outcome of marketing activities.

I applied for the role at Foot Anstey due to the diversity of the role – I can work across multiple disciplines meaning that I am getting valuable experience in lots of different areas allowing me to find out where I excel most and what I most enjoy.

What do you want to get out of your apprenticeship? 

I would like to learn as much as possible about marketing and business development to help me better understand where I might like to specialise as I progress in my career. By the end of my apprenticeship, it would be great to be able to continue in a permanent role in marketing and business development.

What are your highlights so far?

My highlight so far has been doing research on companies for the preparation of pitches. It's been interesting finding out more about how companies operate, what they value and what their strategies are. It's great to know that my research has been helpful and used for numerous pitches, hopefully leading to successful deals. I also get to work with lots of very experienced and talented people, whom I have learnt a lot from so far.

Why did you choose Foot Anstey?

Foot Anstey stood out to me from the start of my application through a combination of the firm's values and the way in which I was treated throughout my application process. I felt that the firm's emphasis on collaboration and entrepreneurship aligned firmly with my own values, which is important to me. Also, the quick communication and kind way in which my interview process took place made me feel welcome and valued.

What are your future ambitions?

My main long-term ambition is to run my own business, I started one when I was 16 and it's something I really enjoyed and have continued to be very passionate about. The skills I'm learning in my apprenticeship will be very useful when it comes to fulfilling that ambition in the future.

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

Do it! I've only been here for around 5 months and I've learnt so much already. You get hands-on experience doing the career you want, meet talented people who help you learn and get a qualification at the end of it.

What do you think is the biggest myth about apprenticeships?

I'd say the biggest myth is that they are only for the construction and trade industries. When I first looked into apprenticeships, I was surprised by the sheer amount and variety of job roles available, there's something for everyone!

What do you get up to outside of work?

Outside of work I try and travel as much as possible, I really enjoy meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. I also play and watch a lot of football, although the latter can be a painful experience!