A little about Petronelle’s apprenticeship…
Apprenticeship Title
Level 3 Underwriter
Job title and employer
Underwriter Apprentice at AXA
What are 3 skills you’ve learned so far?
1. Patience
2. Adaptability
3. Time management
What are 3 interests outside of work?
1. Walking
2. Swimming
3. Bike riding
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What inspired you to choose an apprenticeship as your next step?
For a long time, I believed university was the only option available to me. I studied Healthcare subjects at A Level/BTEC, which made me feel limited to healthcare careers, even though I was unsure that this was the right path. I also lacked confidence in a purely academic environment and knew I learned better through practical, hands-on experience.
My perspective changed when Visionpath came into my school and introduced us to the insurance industry. Before this, I had no knowledge of insurance or underwriting, but learning about the range of roles and apprenticeship opportunities completely changed my mindset. Through Visionpath, I completed work experience where I was exposed to roles such as broking and underwriting. From the moment I learned about underwriting, I was immediately interested in the analytical and decision-making aspects of the role.
To confirm my interest, I completed a further placement focused on underwriting, which reinforced that this was the career I wanted to pursue. The apprenticeship route suits my learning style and strengths, and it has shown both me and my parents that there are successful alternatives to university. An underwriting apprenticeship is the right next step for my career.
Is there anything in the job or industry you're especially keen to learn more about?
Since starting my apprenticeship, I’ve really enjoyed seeing how underwriting works behind the scenes, and I’m excited to take that a step further by seeing the risks I assess in real life. I’m curious about how the businesses, assets, or situations I insure operate day-to-day and how that connects to the decisions we make as underwriters. Being able to experience this firsthand would give me a deeper understanding of risk and help me develop my skills even more.
"My Visionpath experience showed me how fascinating the industry is, and I’m looking forward to keep learning from real situations and seeing how theory and practice come together in the world of insurance."
What’s something you’re proud of so far?
Something I’m really proud of so far is how I never gave up on pursuing an apprenticeship, even when the application process was challenging. I kept applying to opportunities but faced multiple rejections. While it was frustrating at times, I knew deep down that it was just redirection, guiding me toward the right role. I kept going because I knew future me would be proud of not giving up.
Eventually, I secured an apprenticeship in a role I had wanted from the very start, which made the achievement even more meaningful because I knew I would enjoy the work. Starting my first day as an apprentice was an exciting moment that boosted my confidence and made all the effort feel worth it. Visionpath played a big part in helping me feel ready for this next step; the sessions taught me how to prepare effectively for interviews, and I was able to use those skills when I went through my own interview, which made me feel confident and prepared. Looking back, I’m proud of my persistence, my preparation, and the fact that I took the leap into something new and rewarding.
Did you face any challenges during your assessment or onboarding process?
During the assessment centre, one of the biggest challenges I faced was feeling a lot of imposter syndrome. I found myself comparing my experience and skills to others, which made me nervous at first. However, I reminded myself to focus on what I could bring to the table and the unique perspective I offered. One piece of advice from Visionpath that really helped me during this time: although everyone is at different stages in life, no one can ever say that you’re not good enough. Keeping this in mind gave me the confidence to contribute actively, speak up in group tasks, and approach the exercises with a positive mindset.
"By focusing on my strengths and staying true to myself, I was able to overcome my nerves and perform to the best of my ability, which made the experience much more rewarding."
What support have you received throughout your journey so far, and what’s made a difference?
Starting this apprenticeship in a new city at just 18 years old was a big step, and I’ve been fortunate to have so much support along the way. My family have encouraged me every step of the way, giving me reassurance and motivation when things felt overwhelming. At work, my manager and colleagues have shared their knowledge and guidance, helping me grow in confidence and understanding, while my assigned buddy has provided practical advice and tips that made settling in much easier. Visionpath also supported me specifically with interview preparation before I even started, which helped me feel ready and confident for this opportunity. Above all, the God has guided me throughout this journey, giving me strength, wisdom, and the courage to embrace this apprenticeship and make the most of every opportunity.
What moment made you realise you’d made the right decision choosing an apprenticeship?
The moment I realised I had made the right decision choosing an apprenticeship was when I started to actually work on the systems after completing around four months of educational training. During that training, I was learning a lot of theory and building foundational knowledge, but it wasn’t until I began applying it in practice that everything started to fall into place. Being able to do the real work made me reflect on how far I’ve come and reminded me that this was once just a dream, something 17-year-old me would have been proud of. Seeing other success stories from Visionpath while living my own journey confirmed that I had made the best decision for myself, and it made me excited for what’s ahead.
Connect with Petronelle!
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.
