CASE STUDIES
THE HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF AND MOLLY LANDED HER DREAM JOB!
A CAREER IN SOCIAL MEDIA is something that many people wish for and for Molly, this became true. After finishing college, Molly began to apply to universities, and even after having successful applications and being offered a place, it didn’t feel right. As her friends went off to university, she decided to stay in her hometown to work out what to do next to spark a career.
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The Juice Academy is the first employer-led UK social media apprenticeship, launched to increase youth employment and fill an industry-wide skills gap by training young professionals in the practical application of social media. Once Molly discovered The Juice Academy, she knew that this was the path she needed to take. With already running a YouTube channel and using her social media accounts as a way to promote, she knew that doing an apprenticeship in digital marketing and content production was the perfect option.
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During the Bootcamp stage, Molly showcased her skills against fifty other applicants to win a place in The Juice Academy’s 9th cohort. Gym Cube noticed Molly’s strong work ethic and her potential to grow, so offered her the apprenticeship. Molly found her overall experience doing an apprenticeship through The Juice Academy as a positive one, especially because she was employed by a really fun and amazing company.
She found that the workload throughout the apprenticeship was well managed and that there was never a moment where she felt overwhelmed which made her experience all the better.
After completing her apprenticeship, Molly was offered a permanent position within the fitness company and she stayed there for two years, utilising the skills learnt whilst doing her apprenticeship and gaining further experience. With beauty being a strong passion for Molly and with it being the thing that sparked her passion for working within social media, she decided it was time to take the next step in her career and work within the beauty industry.
Molly now works for Tatti Lashes as The Head of Social Media & Influencers. Within just 5 years she has progressed very quickly, however, this was done through hard work and pushing herself to show her seniors the potential she has. The hard work has paid off for Molly and she is now pursuing her dream job in beauty!
What is one piece of advice you would give to current apprentices?
‘Don’t ever think you know it all, there’s always something new to learn. There’s always room for improvement, a new skill, new software, things are forever changing so never get lazy with it and stay on top of your game’.
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Started Apprenticeship: Cohort 9, 2015
Employer during Apprenticeship: Gym Cube
Current employer: Tatti Lashes
Current Job Title: Head of Social Media & Influencers
SUCCESS
STORIES
Rachel Marsden
Pretty Little Thing
THE APPRENTICESHIP ALLOWED RACHEL TO LEARN MORE THAN DIGITAL MARKETING ALONE!
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Rachel Marsden, Cohort 20
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Started apprenticeship: April 2018
Apprenticeship Employer: Pretty Little Thing
Current Employer: Marks and Spencer
Job Title: Assistant Performance Manager
“Throughout my apprenticeship at PrettyLittleThing.com, I have learnt more than Digital Marketing alone. I’ve learnt business best practices, data analysis, creativity and so much more. It has also allowed me to network with industry leaders across the UK, enhancing my learning further. My apprenticeship has equipped me with a brilliant understanding in Digital Marketing and has helped my professional career in more ways than I believed was possible.”
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After working at Pretty Little thing for just under 4 years, Rachel has moved onto an Assistant Performance Manager role at Marks and Spencer's.
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Lydia Ward
BDB
LYDIA HAS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT COMING BACK TO HIRE AN APPRENTICE OF HER OWN
Lydia Ward, Cohort 18
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Started apprenticeship: October 2017
Apprenticeship Employer: BDB
Current Employer: BDB
Job Title: Digital Marketing Manager
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Lydia is also currently completing a part-time Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship at MMU.
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"My passion for digital started at the Juice Academy in 2017 where I hit the ground running, took every opportunity that came my way…and never looked back. In fact, I only looked forward, which brought me to where I am today: working as a Senior Digital Executive at BDB, alongside doing a part time degree in digital marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University. The apprenticeship programmes have armed me with the skills, knowledge and confidence to progress my career and take on more responsibilities. It has enabled me to put the academic theories into practice, add value to the business and keep me at the forefront of the evolving digital landscape."
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Lydia recently attended the Cohort 37 Bootcamp to hire an apprentice of her own!
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Oliver Brewood, Line Manager
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"Lydia joined BDB back in October 2017 with a keen interest in digital marketing – since then, she’s continuously worked hard to develop her skills across all digital channels and is never afraid to get stuck into something new. On a daily basis Lydia proves her commitment, going above and beyond to meet client needs / deadlines whilst delivering first-class paid campaigns and digital projects. She is a pleasure to work alongside and I’m thankful she chose to join BDB."
Gabrielle Jones
Absolute Agency
ABSORBING INFORMATION LIKE A SPONGE HAS ALLOWED GABRIELLE TO GET WHERE SHE IS IN HER CAREER
Gabrielle Jones, Cohort 21
Started apprenticeship: July 2018
Apprenticeship Employer: Absolute Agency
Current Employer: Refinery Marketing Communications
Job Title: Junior Account Manager
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"I started my apprenticeship with The Juice Academy 2 and a half years ago, straight from college, brand new to the industry. I was lucky enough to begin my career with a great company - Absolute Agency. With their support, I have learnt an invaluable amount of information about the marketing and digital world, working on exciting campaigns, photoshoots and web development projects.
The main skill I think I’ve gained is that it doesn’t matter how much you know, it’s how much you’re willing to learn - be a sponge and absorb it all! There may be some mistakes made along the way but how else do you learn and grow?
Having now completed my apprenticeship, I am using the skills I have gained in my role as an Account Executive and look forward to learning even more!"
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After working 3 years at Absolute Agency, Gabrielle has since started at Refinery Marketing Communications as an Account Executive and has most recently been promoted to Junior Account Manager.
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Jenny Byrne
Platform81
COMPLETING FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND CONTINUING TO LEARN HAS LED TO JENNY CLIMBING THE LADDER IN HER CAREER
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Jenny Byrne, Cohort 21
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Started apprenticeship: July 2018
Apprenticeship Employer: Platform81
Current Employer: Hitsearch
Job Title: Junior Digital Marketing Strategist
Jenny has gone on to completing further qualifications after her apprenticeship, receiving a merit in her CIM Level 4 Digital Marketing and a Pass with Credit in the IPA Foundation Certificate.
“My apprenticeship with The Juice Academy allowed me to successfully learn the knowledge and insights I needed at the start of my career in a digital industry, taking guidance from experts with years of experience. It allowed me to see the possibilities within my role and the industry itself, and what I could aspire to do moving forward into my career. Not only did my apprenticeship allow me to get my foot in the door and succeed in a busy, upcoming industry, it helped me make connections with others at the same level as me who were going through the same experience and learning, many of who I’m still friends with today!”
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Jenny was promoted during her time at Platform81, and after spending almost 3 years there, she then worked at the ground-breaking and disruptive university UA92 for a year as a Digital Marketing Executive. She has most recently moved to Liverpool to work at a fast-growing marketing agency, Hitsearch, as a Digital Marketing Strategist and it just so happens she is back working with Amanda Childs, her line manager at Platorm81! Amanda has previously said:
‘Recruiting Jenny as an apprentice and investing in her continued growth has been a great journey for us to be on with her. She shows maturity, confidence, and work ethic well beyond her years, and is now seen as an integral part of the team whom we can all rely on for support.’
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Thomas Tanswell
McCann Manchester
THE APPRENTICESHIP ARMED THOMAS WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS NEEDED TO PROGRESS IN THE INDUSTRY
Thomas Tanswell, Cohort 09
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Started apprenticeship: July 2015
Apprenticeship Employer: Tangerine Communications
Current Employer: McCann Manchester
Job Title: Senior Social Media Manager
"I started my Apprenticeship in August 2015, straight out of college. Well, actually, I was in the midst of dropping out of college, as I had done with my AS Levels the year prior. I had no idea what I wanted to do, like many 17 – 18-year-olds, so I went trawling through indeed.com trying to find anything that took my interest. That’s when I stumbled across The Juice Academy.
I was fortunate enough to start my career with an incredible company – Tangerine - as well as having the benefit of being able to learn from previous apprentices and the founder, Sandy Lindsay herself. Throughout my time at Tangerine, I learnt invaluable skills that have helped me through every step of my career, and skills that I continue to pass onto my junior colleagues to this day. The apprenticeship armed me with the fundamental skills, knowledge, and confidence that I needed to progress in an industry I knew nothing about until I started.
Since completing my apprenticeship in 2016, I’ve joined McCann Manchester where I’ve had an amazing amount of opportunity come my way as a result of my apprenticeship. I’m currently a Social Media Manager and have worked on the likes of Aldi UK and Microsoft working with colleagues across the country."
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Jonathan Escott
MTK Global
JONATHAN IS NOW IN HIS DREAM INDUSTRY MANAGING OVER 250 PROFESSIONAL BOXERS AND 120 MMA FIGHTERS
Jonathan Escott, Cohort 04
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Started apprenticeship: July 2015
Apprenticeship Employer: Tangerine Communications
Current Employer: McCann Manchester
Job Title: Social Media Manager
"I first came across The Juice Academy whilst in my first year at university. I wasn't too sure on apprenticeships at the time, but it seemed like a fantastic opportunity, so I went for it and attended the boot camp and then I was taken on by Tangerine PR and I spent a year there whilst I completed my apprenticeship.
I then moved on to CheckdMedia where I worked for six years and now, I currently find myself working for MTK Global.
My experience after completing the apprenticeship was a really good one. I found myself at an exciting, innovative, and fast-moving company where I excelled over the period in which I worked for them. The apprenticeship also opens many doors in terms of networking as in your cohort there are fellow apprentices working in a variety of industries for completely unique and different brands.
I am currently the Head of Social Media for MTK Global and based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We currently manage over 250 professional boxers and over 120 MMA fighters with the likes of Tyson Fury, Josh Taylor and Darren Till on our books.
At the moment, it's a very busy period for us. We usually have at least one or two fighters fighting every weekend, so my work is usually based on those fighters week in and week out. However, with a big fight like Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder coming up in a couple of months, our focus is on that, also due to the enormity of it and the number of eyes that will be on it and the fact that most of the stuff we broadcast around Fury does well on all social media platforms.
I'd say my proudest moment to date would be getting the job I currently have. I am a massive boxing fan so to be working alongside people I’ve looked up to for years, doing a job I love in a beautiful country with an incredible climate, it's very much a dream that I’ve made come true.
If I was to offer one piece of advice it would be to learn from your mistakes and never give up on chasing your dreams. You're going to get knock backs in life, that's just part and partial of life itself, but as long as you learn from your knock backs and learn from your mistakes and keep working hard, you will reap the rewards one day"
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Shannen Davies
Moonlit Media
SHANNEN IS OVER THE MOON WITH HER FREELANCE VENTURE OF RUNNING HER COMPANY MOONLIT MEDIA
Shannen Davies, Cohort 25
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Started apprenticeship: 2019
Apprenticeship Employer: BW Marketing
Current Employer: Moonlit Media
Job Title: Founder and Social Media Manager
Shannon started freelancing over a year ago on the side, helping business owners to create content for their social media pages as a passion project, but she never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be able to build a business and make a living doing what she loves!
She never set out to be a full-time business owner, the thought hadn’t occurred to her, she thought that it wasn't possible for her, only until her partner & mum made her realise that she was more than capable & talented enough to be able to do it on her own & she's so glad they did!
She's over the moon (no pun intended) for her next chapter running Moonlit Media! She's worked so hard for this to become her reality, dreams really do come true when you work for it!
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