A little about Kirsty’s apprenticeship…
Apprenticeship Title
Level 3 Paralegal
Job title and employer
Paralegal & Trainee Company Secretary at Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Limited
What are 3 skills you’ve learned so far?
- Communication Skills - I have developed strong communication skills that have allowed me to build positive relationships within my company as well as people outside my organisation.
- Confidence & Professionalism - I have grown confident and feel more comfortable putting myself out there in a professional environments. I have learnt how to present myself in a professional manner and represent my workplace positively.
- Time management & Responsibility - Although it can be difficult to balance both work and study, my apprenticeship has helped me identify where I lack in these areas and what I need to focus on to complete my work efficiently, whilst not sacrificing the quality of my work.
What are 3 interests outside of work?
- Reading - I enjoy reading in my free time, it helps me wind down and forget about real life.
- Fitness - I enjoy going to the gym and doing hot Pilates, it's my way of looking after my body.
- Socialising - I am quite social, I love spending time with the people I love, that is a huge priority for me.
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What inspired you to choose the apprenticeship route?
During secondary school and in my home life, university was always presented as the default option and apprenticeships were barely, if ever, spoken about.
“It was only through my own research and seeing people share their experiences online that I realised an apprenticeship could be a great option for me.”
It felt daunting at first, considering all the options and knowing how competitive they can be, I knew that the university route was not for me. I have always loved learning, and I quite enjoy classroom based learning, but I felt the scale and style of it wouldn't support my motivation in the same way. I know I would thrive more in a setting where I had clear responsibility and accountability.
Of course, I had my doubts at the beginning. No one I knew had completed an apprenticeship, it all felt quite new and my friends and family naturally questioned whether this was the right option for me and whether I would feel like I am missing out on the "university experience", which I still get asked now. I just knew that university wouldn't have suited me. An apprenticeship made the most sense for me, gaining hands on experience, developing essential life skills, whilst also earning seemed a lot more aligned with the way I work and the future I wanted to build.
Can you remember a moment when you felt trusted with real responsibility? What did that involve?
I was asked to deliver training on new regulatory requirements linked to a new piece of data legislation. It was completely outside my comfort zone, especially because I’ve always found public speaking intimidating, honestly, I find it wildly uncomfortable. What made it even more daunting was knowing I’d be presenting to two key committees made up of people who were far more senior, experienced, and knowledgeable about the industry than I was. It was definitely something I was not keen on doing.
Even though this task was outside of my comfort zone, being asked to deliver the training in the first place showed that people genuinely trusted in my ability to understand and communicate something complex in a clear way.
In terms of preparation, I didn't have a set confidence building routine, I leaned heavily on my line manager. I would compile my work, and we would work through the material together, and she gave me honest feedback and guidance. Having her support and reassurance made a huge difference and helped me feel more prepared when it came to presenting. Her belief that I could do it, even when I was majorly doubting myself, was so reassuring.
I still found the actual delivery uncomfortable and couldn't wait for it to be over, and now I still go through the same emotions, but I am grateful I have the opportunity to push myself in these areas, it continues to show me that I am capable of far more than I thought.
What stands out as the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship experience?
The most rewarding part of my apprenticeship has been realising how much I've achieved and how far I've come.
Passing and achieving my results, was a really pivotal moment for me, not because of the grades itself, but the meaning behind them. Throughout my apprenticeship, there were so many moments where everything felt so intense and I found myself doubting whether I could actually manage it and see it through. When I am in the middle of stress, I find it really hard to see the bigger picture and it feels like everything is going wrong for me.
Achieving my grades and certification that I had successfully completed my apprenticeship was a huge moment of relief and almost disbelief, all the pressure and self doubt that I had put myself through had led somewhere. It also made me appreciate the people around me who supported me along the way.
Beyond the results, what feels most rewarding is knowing that I have genuinely grown. I've become more confident, more self aware and more willing to step out of my comfort zone. I've taken on responsibilities I never imagined I'd be trusted with this early in my career, and each challenged has helped me believe in myself a little bit more.
“Seeing progress in myself and knowing I've worked hard to earn this, is ultimately very rewarding.”
What challenges did you face during your apprenticeship, and how did you grow from them?
One of the biggest challenges during my apprenticeship was managing the balance between my workload and my studies. There were times when everything built up and I started doubting, questioning whether this was even the right path for me, if I had made the wrong decision. Looking back, I know those thoughts were coming from stress more than anything else, but at the time these were genuine concerns of mine and felt overwhelming. On top of that, I found the self discipline side of things harder than I expected. I knew what I needed to do, but actually getting myself to sit down and do it felt so difficult.
It wasn't until I noticed the impact on my own work and my mindset, that I had a moment where I thought I need to ask for support. Speaking up doesn't come naturally to me, it felt almost shameful to admit I was finding things difficult. But I realised, this was completely an ego thing, and I was not helping myself.
Talking to my line manager was a turning point. Being honest about how I felt took a lot, but once I did everything became a lot more manageable. We worked through my workload together, identifying deadlines so I had dates to work towards, these changes supported me massively.
That feeling taught me a lot, it showed me the importance of asking for help early, rather than waiting until everything feels unmanageable. It helped me develop better self discipline, by breaking down tasks and structuring my time in a healthier way rather than last minute panic. I've learned to recognise when to communicate before burning out and to trust that asking for support isn't a weakness, it is a form of responsibility.
What moment made you realise you’d made the right decision choosing an apprenticeship?
Nearing the end of my apprenticeship, there was a moment that confirmed I had made the right decision. I did have my doubts throughout my apprenticeship journey, especially around not completing a degree like many of my friends, and the fact that this was classed as the more "traditional route". I was asked by the head of another department to take on a set of new responsibilities. This was an opportunity I don't think I would have had the without the exposure and growth my apprenticeship gave me. Being approached in that way made everything sort of click. It showed me that the skills I'd developed were recognised and valued, even trusted beyond just my immediate team.
Another part that made me realise I've chose the right path was the relationships I've built along the way, both internally and externally. Throughout my apprenticeship, I have had the chance to work with people from different areas of the business, at different levels. Those relationships may not have come from going to university. I've grown through everyday interactions, learning from people who have been in the industry for years, and building connections that have shaped not only my confidence, but my understanding of how the business really works and the future I am working towards.
I have earned trust, been given opportunities and built relationships that have already moved my career forward. I know I have made the right decision for me.
“My experiences made me realise I wasn't missing out by choosing an apprenticeship.”
Can you tell us about what life at work has been like since you finished your apprenticeship?
Since completing my apprenticeship, I've taken on a lot more responsibility, and I can feel a difference in the way I am treated and trusted day to day. I'm being given more tasks, more variety and more involvement in work that I wouldn't have been part of before.
I've noticed that I feel like I actually know what I'm doing now, not in a perfect way, but in a way where I feel capable of handling the work that comes my way. Having people ask me for support and involve me in new pieces of work has been really validating.
Of course, I still have that feeling of "what is going on". It is a mix of recognising I am still learning and still growing into my role, I am still very fresh into my career. I'm not sure if that that feeling ever goes away, especially whilst I am just starting out, I've learned to see it as a sign that I still have plenty of room to gain more knowledge and know that I am being challenged.
“Completing my apprenticeship, has felt like stepping into a new phase, where I am more capable but still curious and open to learning.”
Connect with Kirsty!
Here at Visionpath, our Ambassador Community is more than just a network, it’s a movement. Our ambassadors are current and former apprentices who are passionate about making a difference by sharing their real-life journeys to inspire the next generation.
Are you a current or former apprentice who wants to get involved in the movement? Email ambassadors@visionpath.co.uk to get started.
