My time at College played an important part in helping me work out what I wanted my future to look like. I have always learnt best by doing something rather than simply learning information for an exam, and the case studies I completed in BTEC Business and BTEC Law helped me see how knowledge could be applied in the real world.

That realisation had a big influence on my decision to pursue an apprenticeship rather than a traditional university route. I wanted to continue learning, but I also wanted practical experience, responsibility and an understanding of what it was really like to work in a professional environment.

Being part of an Apprenticeship & Employment tutor group gave me time each week to explore the different routes available. We were shown CV templates, given guidance about what employers look for and introduced to websites where we could search for opportunities, which is how I found my Amazon apprenticeship.

I also attended a CV workshop after the College’s apprenticeship panel event where I gained further tips and heard current apprentices talk about their experiences. This gave me a much better understanding of the opportunities an apprenticeship could offer and the confidence to start putting myself forward. The support gave me a starting point, while also encouraging me to carry out my own research and take responsibility for finding opportunities that suited me.

Alongside College, I worked as a Lifeguard, fitting shifts around my classes. Swimming was a huge passion of mine, so I loved the job, but it gave me much more than that. I enjoyed earning my own money, meeting people I would not normally have spoken to and growing in confidence through work. It reinforced how much I valued learning through real experience.

I had a big friendship group at College and we all chose different paths and I was the only one who chose an apprenticeship. Stepping away from the crowd was daunting, but I knew it was the right choice for me. It also taught me that choosing your own route does not mean leaving everything else behind. We are still friends, despite taking very different directions.

After College, I began a Multi-Channel Marketing Apprenticeship with Amazon. It allowed me to continue my education while gaining experience at one of the world’s biggest companies. I worked in the EU Retail Marketing Team, focusing on tech and gaming activity across European markets.

As well as classroom learning, I worked on live campaigns across the Amazon website and app, involving real customers, brands, budgets and business objectives. Each apprenticeship module covered a different area of digital marketing, which I then applied directly to my role and documented in a portfolio.

As my experience grew, I took ownership of integrated campaigns across digital advertising, email, social media, push notifications and Amazon’s on-site placements. I worked with global brands including Apple, Samsung and Logitech, as well as camera and gaming companies. I also managed senior stakeholders in several countries and contributed to major events including Prime Day and Black Friday.

The role brought opportunities I could never have imagined while I was at College. I travelled to Barcelona to meet European colleagues, visited partner and client offices, attended gaming partnership and influencer events, and supported exclusive launches for global clients. Another highlight was creating music and television adverts and then unexpectedly seeing and hearing my own work outside working hours.

The final assessment process was challenging. It included exams, a professional discussion, a presentation and a portfolio bringing together my work. Completing the nationally recognised qualification with a Distinction showed me how much I had developed, both professionally and personally. I even had a graduation day where I received my scroll and threw my hat in the air, as you do!

The range of experience I gained at Amazon gave me a strong foundation for my current role as Marketing Coordinator at Channel Factory, an AI-powered brand suitability and contextual targeting company that works with major digital platforms.

My work now covers marketing activity across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including events, social media, public relations, experiential activations, campaigns, creative production and branded merchandise. I help coordinate events with partners such as Google and other technology companies, manage our social media presence across the region, contribute to our website and internal communications, and organise marketing materials.

I particularly enjoy following an event through from its landing page and attendee communications to the physical materials and final LinkedIn post. What I value most is the variety. At Amazon, I developed strong skills in digital marketing, campaign and stakeholder management, and working across multiple markets. At Channel Factory, I am expanding these into events, experiential marketing, public relations, social media, creative production and communications, becoming a much more well-rounded marketer.

I am proud of how much I have grown since leaving College, but I have also learnt that progress is not always obvious or immediate. When you begin a new role, it can take time to earn trust and be given responsibility for projects. There were moments when I felt I was not developing quickly enough, but you cannot measure progress day by day. Sometimes you have to be patient and give yourself time to grow.

Imposter syndrome can also be very real when you enter a professional environment and find yourself surrounded by people with much more experience. My advice is to remember that you are in the room for a reason. You are not expected to know everything before you begin. The things you do not know are not weaknesses; they are opportunities to develop.

If you learn best by doing, gaining experience and being hands-on, I would strongly encourage you to explore apprenticeships. Make use of the support available at College, but also carry out your own research and take responsibility for finding opportunities that suit you. Use LinkedIn to follow companies, learn from other people’s careers and find events, internships, work experience and jobs. Find the way of learning that works for you, say yes to opportunities and stay curious. You never know where your first opportunity might take you.

Olivia Barson
Reigate College: 2022-2024
Higher Education: Level 4 Multi-Channel Marketing Apprenticeship while working as a Marketing Executive for Amazon
Currently: Marketing Coordinator, Channel Factory