In Their Shoes series: Finding the Right Path: Ella's Transition from Student to Amazon Apprentice

Welcome to another edition of In Their Shoes, where we step into the lives of inspiring individuals making their mark in various fields. Today, we are delighted to feature Ella, a WHS Technician Apprentice at Amazon. Ella's journey from choosing her GCSE and A-Level subjects to navigating her way into an apprenticeship is a testament to the power of following one’s passions and making informed decisions about one's future. Through her experiences, Ella offers valuable insights into the world of education and apprenticeships, highlighting the importance of pursuing what you enjoy and the benefits of hands-on learning in a professional environment.

1) Can you please tell us more about GCSEs and A-Level Subjects?

When choosing my GCSEs, I purely went off what I enjoyed doing. Obviously, I did the standard GCSEs like English Language, English Literature, Maths, and Science (I did combined, not triple), but I then made my decision based on what I liked. I did History, Spanish, Film Studies, and a BTEC in Art and Design. My favourite subject in school was History, so when it came down to choosing between History and Geography, it was a no-brainer for me. I then also decided to carry on studying Spanish as I found learning the basic foundation of another language interesting and also learning about the different cultures. I haven’t heard of many schools or students that study Film Studies, but this subject took me by surprise, and I actually ended up achieving a Grade 8 in this. I was browsing my subject option evening and was told by an older student that Film Studies was fairly similar to English Literature, but with films instead of books, and they weren’t far from the truth by saying this. I really liked English Literature, so I decided to choose it. Finally, I chose to do a BTEC in Art and Design because I enjoyed doing art in my free time, so I saw doing it as a subject as positive. It wasn’t essay-based like the majority of my other subjects, and it also gave me time to do something enjoyable and therapeutic in the midst of all the exams and essays.

When the time came around to decide what A-level subjects I wanted to study, I thought and ‘knew’ that I wanted to go to university to study Law. So, I chose my A-level subjects based on this (more essay-based subjects) but also what I enjoyed again. I chose English Literature, History, and Psychology.

Even though I decided in the end that I didn’t want to or need to sit my A-Levels, I genuinely believe that you should pick something that you enjoy. You will not be willing to put an obscene amount of work outside of school hours into a subject that you hate or are not interested in. Furthermore, the jump from GCSEs to A-Levels is unbelievable. As bad as it sounds, I used to laugh to myself when people told me the same thing because I didn’t believe them, but the amount of content in one subject is more than 3 GCSEs, at the least, in my opinion. So, pick what you enjoy!

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2) Why did you decide to go down the apprenticeship route? And what factors did you take into consideration when making your decision?

I had been set on going to university to study Law since I was around 14 years old, and I eventually decided that it wasn’t for me anymore. I was actually sitting watching Martin Lewis on TV with my mum when I started thinking about changing my path. This was because I saw the extortionate amount of debt that students get into from university. I completely understand that this specific debt is manageable. However, it was just something that I didn’t want on my mind constantly after I had finished my course. Even though I decided to drop out of school in the middle of doing my A-Levels due to unforeseen circumstances, I still would have chosen the degree apprenticeship route if I had sat them. I believe that the combination of education and ‘on-the-job’ experience is an amazing route to take, as you get a qualification in your chosen field and experience doing that job at the same time.

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3) Looking back, what is one thing you wish you had known before applying for apprenticeships?

I get quite nervous sometimes in interviews, which can then lead to me getting flustered and mixing up my words. If you don’t know how to answer or are struggling to think of an answer, it is okay to ask the interviewer to repeat or reword their question!

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4) What attracted you to a career in Health and Safety, and how did you know it was the right path for you?

I’m attracted to a career in Health and Safety because I have always loved helping people. This may seem bizarre as you wouldn’t necessarily think of helping people when you think of Health and Safety, but Health and Safety measures are mainly put into place to protect people from harm! No one should have to come home from work with an injury or have a parent, brother, auntie, etc, injured as a result of their job, so this was my main drive when I initially looked into a career in this field. I am also a very organised individual, so I believe this is something that will really benefit me in this type of job!

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5) What are you most looking forward to for your apprenticeship?

I’m looking forward to being surrounded by people who have the same or similar goals as I do. I find it really encouraging and uplifting to be around people who can offer advice, relate to me, and push each other to succeed. Also, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and gaining experience and knowledge in a completely new field!

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6) How did you prepare for your interview with Amazon? Did your school provide any support? If so, what kind of support?

I had already left Sixth Form by the time I applied for my position at Amazon, but I know that my school would’ve been so supportive of me if I had been still enrolled. All students had to do was make them aware of an interview, and they would make sure you had the work sent to you that you would miss so that you could catch up. So definitely don’t miss out on an interview if you think your school won’t be lenient—ask!

The way I prepared for my Amazon interview was by researching everything I could about the company and including a few statistics and facts in my answers to their questions, but also researching about the individuals that work there. This really helped me to familiarise myself with the company and its culture and values. I also made notes on previous scenarios I had been in that I could potentially be asked about, such as an example of when I had worked in a team or been faced with a difficulty at work, which helped me have well-structured and thorough answers to questions that an interviewer could potentially ask me. Being prepared really helped with my nerves!

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7) What advice would you give to someone who is currently contemplating an apprenticeship but is unsure that it is the right path for them?

I completely changed my path halfway into Year 13, which resulted in no longer sitting my A-Levels and going into a completely new field. You’re allowed to change your mind and decide you no longer want to do something you have spent so long preparing for if you don’t want to do it anymore. Find an apprenticeship that you enjoy, and if you don’t like it, find something else. Suppose you’re someone who doesn’t find sitting in a classroom and doing lots of exam work. In that case, I’d definitely recommend an apprenticeship as you will be working, but only attending college once a week/month for your qualification!

Ella's story is a vivid illustration of how flexibility and passion can shape a fulfilling career path. Her thoughtful approach to selecting subjects she enjoyed and her eventual decision to pursue an apprenticeship reflect the importance of aligning education with personal interests and career goals. As Ella continues to thrive in her role at Amazon, her journey serves as an inspiration for those contemplating their educational and professional futures. Whether you are a student making subject choices or someone considering an apprenticeship, Ella's experiences underscore the value of exploring diverse options and staying true to what you love. Thank you for joining us in this edition of In Their Shoes – we hope Ella's insights have provided you with the motivation and guidance to forge your own path with confidence.

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