A Light at the end of the Tunnel
What’s the first thought that comes into everyone's mind after Sixth Form or College? University. Being the average 18 year old, I applied to Universities and got a place to study Sociology. Usually, finding out you got into Uni should be one of the happiest moments of your life, but I didn’t get that feeling. My friends were all ecstatic about getting in, but I just couldn’t share their joy. They knew Uni was the place for them, but I had no one to talk to about my feelings. Apart from my dad. He knew I didn’t want to go and study for 3 years when I didn’t know what future I wanted for myself. At the time, he was unemployed and was in the same mindset as me; he didn’t want a job nor did I want to go to University, so knowing I had him to talk to about my future helped me so much. I had no fall back plan but I knew University was not the right path. I felt like I was completely in the dark.
A few months went by and I went through the most difficult stage of my life. My dad passing away. The one person who I trusted the most and understood me most as a person, gone. Now it was pitch black. Before I even knew my own future, I wanted to make him so proud. I remember him saying, “Just be happy. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy” which is how I knew I had to make something of myself.
Social Media has always been a strong influence on my day to day life. But then again, what part of life isn’t online these days? My mum came home from work one day and said she'd worked with someone who is now UK Managing Director of Social Chain. I’d heard of the agency but knew nothing more. After doing my research, it definitely sounded like the place for me. I then did a month's internship and I loved every moment of it. The experience and things I learnt in that short time frame was something I wanted to further. After my month was up, I was told by Social Chain that there was an opportunity of an apprenticeship with The Juice Academy. Knowing that digital marketing was a competitive field to get into, I felt so lucky to be working for one of the world’s biggest social media marketing agencies.
And now, fast forward 4 months from my first day as an intern, I now work as a full-time apprentice at Social Chain. I am so happy that I stuck to my gut feeling of not going to Uni and that I’m in such an amazing position. The Juice Academy has helped me find my feet and I can see myself doing fantastic things in the future. If it wasn’t for them, I’d still be sat at home wondering what to do with my life. Thank you dad for believing in me, I hope I’m making you proud. After being in darkness for so long, I finally saw light at the end of the tunnel.
