Meet the Smart/tasking Degree Apprentices: four young women who are learning and earning at the same time

What if you could get a degree in Business Management without paying rising tuition fees, while also working for a dynamic and innovative company? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s exactly what four young women are doing at smart/tasking.

smart/tasking has recently partnered with Henley Business School , one of the top-ranked business schools in the UK, to offer a fully funded Degree Apprenticeship programme for ambitious and motivated individuals who want to kick-start their careers in Business. The programme combines academic learning with practical experience, allowing the apprentices to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges and projects.

The first cohort of Degree Apprentices joined smart/tasking in October 2023. They are Olivia Short , Sophie Moore , Keira Fisher and Abbie Bewley , four brilliant women who have different backgrounds and interests, but share a common passion for learning and growing. They have been with smart/tasking for six weeks now, and they have already made a positive impact on the company.

We wanted to find out more about their journey so far, and what motivated them to choose this unique opportunity. We asked them a few questions about why they chose smart/tasking, how they are settling in, and any advice they’d give to those in their position in the future.

Pull out quote: “Sophie: From the extensive research I did before applying, I concluded that smart/tasking felt like it would be a company that would help push me but also support and recognise me at the same time.”

When asked what drew each of them to this particular Degree Apprenticeship, their answers follow a similar thread. Keira says she always knew she didn’t want to go to university, but struggled to find an apprenticeship that suited her until she came across smart/tasking. Olivia says she was attracted by the company’s niche area and small team size, which would hopefully make her feel more involved and personal. Sophie says she was intrigued by the management degree title, which was a relief, after months of searching for the right one. Abbie says she was motivated by the concept of earning and learning and said: “as we are working whilst also studying for a degree, it was really key for me that the business I chose would be able to support me.”

As for their best moments from the first few weeks, they all mention some milestones and achievements that made them feel proud and confident. All four cite their first phone calls with potential candidates as being huge moments. Being thrown into the deep end so soon was nerve-wracking, but equally thrilling for all, and that mutual feeling of pride resonated across their answers. Equally, they recall their first days and social events as being happy moments etched in their minds. Moments that have helped them begin to understand what it feels like to be part of the Smart/tasking family. Olivia says of that first social: “I felt we all got to know each other better and had lots of laughs which reassured me as I was nervous about joining a new team and job.”

The Degree Apprentices also share some of the challenges and difficulties they faced during their transition from education to work, and how they overcame them. Olivia says she had to adjust to full-time work and learn how to manage her time and workload effectively - but she’s quickly learning to better plan her time in advance! Sophie has had to adapt to the unknown, moving to a new place, living independently and starting a new job at the same time. Abbie says: “Moving hours away from my family and friends to begin a new job has been both overwhelming and challenging. I have found it hard to juggle my work life with my home life, however, everyone at smart/tasking made a real effort to help me feel as welcomed and relaxed as possible.” Keira described it as a big change, especially with so many of her friends heading off to university and living very different lives right now.

Pull out quote: Keira: “It has been the best choice I have ever made, and I do not regret it at all!”

They all agree that the support and guidance they have received from smart/tasking has helped them overcome these challenges and grow as individuals and professionals already. They say they have regular meetings with their assigned buddies, who provide them with constructive feedback and advice. They also say they’ve had great exposure to various resources and tools, seeing how a business like smart/tasking really works in action, rather than studying Business from a desk has hugely helped them enhance their knowledge and skills so far. Finally, they agree they’ve already formed a strong bond with each other, their fellow degree-apprentices, who support and motivate one another when needed. It’s a resounding “LOADS”, to how much each feels they’ve learnt in their first few weeks with smart/tasking.

Pull out quote: Abbie: “Despite being so new to the company, I feel as though I have learnt so much and developed so many new skills. Specifically, I have learnt the true value of communication and how to interact with potential clients in a friendly but professional manner.”

The Degree Apprentices also share some valuable advice for anyone who is considering or starting an apprenticeship like this. They all emphasise the importance of asking questions, making mistakes, and taking advantage of every opportunity. Olivia suggests taking in all the information slowly to avoid overwhelming, be sure you make room for fun outside of work and be yourself. She says: “This is an opportunity to learn and gain new skills and we learn most from our mistakes, so trying to be perfect and get everything right will put you under enormous pressure that will not benefit you at all!” Sophie says: remember that everyone starts somewhere, compare yourself only to yourself, and grab every opportunity that comes your way. Keira reiterates that it’s important to make the most of every moment, embrace every challenge, and that “no question is a stupid question!”. Abbie says to “be curious, believe in yourself, and keep going even when it feels daunting.”

They also describe the smart/tasking team, culture, and environment that they have experienced so far. They all agree that smart/tasking feels like a family, where everyone is friendly, supportive, and collaborative. Olivia says she felt part of the team straight away, enjoyed the social events that were arranged for them and loves the ‘work hard, play hard’ mindset smart/tasking has. Sophie says she felt welcomed and supported from the get-go and loves the open-door policy - “everyone is approachable and open to answering questions, wherever they sit in the business.” Keira says she felt comfortable and confident from the start and loves that her like-minded team can have a real laugh together. Abbie says she feels inspired and motivated because the team always recognises hard work and progress.

Pull out quote: “Keira: I have been told that the people you work with can either make or break a job – in this case, the team definitely makes it for me!”

The Degree Apprenticeship programme at smart/tasking is a unique and rewarding opportunity for young people who want to pursue a career in Business Management. It offers a combination of academic excellence and practical experience, as well as a supportive and stimulating environment. The four young women who are part of the first cohort will officially start their degree with Henley Business School in January 2024 and we’ve no doubt they’ll continue to be proof of the programme’s success and potential. They are the future of smart/tasking, and we are proud to have them on board.

If you are interested in joining the next cohort of smart/tasking Degree Apprentices, you can find out more about the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the benefits on our website. We’ll continue to share our apprentices’ journeys as they unfold, so follow us on social media to get the latest updates and insights from the team.