As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the brilliant apprentices helping to shape the future of The Consortia Group.
Since joining us in September, Isobel Pearce has become a valued member of our accounts team, combining her studies with hands-on experience while completing her AAT Level 2 Apprenticeship at Riverside College.
We caught up with Isobel to talk about her journey so far – from choosing an apprenticeship over university, to balancing work and study, and how being part of a supportive team has helped her grow in confidence and ambition.
Did you always know you wanted to work in accounts?
I have always had a passion towards Maths and in completing my Maths and Statistics A-levels this really flourished and pushed me towards looking at Math based careers. Accounts is something very familiar to my family as both my parents have worked in accounts for as long as I can remember. Having experience in my Dad’s company opened my eyes to the possibility of this career path to me and found me considering the idea of working in an accounts team.
How do you balance work, study and having a social life?
I find this balance extremely manageable in my day to day life as I feel very lucky in becoming so close with both the people in my workplace and my course. My course mates and I frequently attend study sessions which is massively beneficial to our understanding of the curriculum through working as a team and a bit of friendly competition and this keeps us socialising whilst doing so which proves so important to our motivation.
What made you choose an apprenticeship over a more traditional route?
While many of my classmates and peers discussed and applied to universities, I was very aware that I grasped a better understanding of my studies & skills in tackling them head on and throwing myself in the deep end. In having very little understanding of how accounts work and are run, the concept of jumping straight into a team of people who did was something that intimidated me however I felt the experience would push me to achieve things I feel many universities would not.
What aspects of our company do you appreciate the most?
The aspect that stands out the most for me would have to be how well I work with not just my accounts team but the entire office. I have always known myself to work better in a team environment and Consortia is the perfect example of a well-functioning team. I never expected the job to create such a teamworking attitude and It has been vital to developing my understanding of how the office runs beyond my role in the company.
Has this apprenticeship changed how you think about your career?
This apprenticeship has helped me in many ways to create a path for my career and my future. The workplace has given me many practical skills and taught me how to work in an office environment which was something I had never experienced until now. I am grateful for these skills as I would not have obtained if I was to continue straight to university. I also feel motivated to complete my way through the levels of my AAT course after finishing Level 2 and I am aiming to work up to the title of chartered accountant. This is a path I never would have been aware of if I were to have attended university.
What support has made the biggest difference to you during your apprenticeship?
I found it incredibly helpful to have had someone on my team who is of a similar age to me and is completing the same course to have helped me understand the basics when first joining the team and who I could discuss both college and accounts with on a professional level. This made me feel so much more comfortable asking questions and was a much less intimidating start which I feel has really benefitted me since. The whole accounts team have been instantly welcoming and made this start feel so smooth and I would say I couldn’t wish anything more about the support I have received at Consortia.
What would you say to someone thinking about applying for an apprenticeship but feeling unsure?
I think many people leaving college/ school look at apprenticeships as big and scary due to the application processes and interviews that come with it. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who had doubts about these more traditional routes as you are still learning much like university however you are getting a taste of the workplace and gaining the experience that is vital to understanding your job and the responsibilities within it, which many studying in university will struggle to adapt to this change when becoming new graduates and finding a job. I would also advise others not to be intimidated by the thought of an apprenticeship as making that jump from college to this apprenticeship has really made me more confident in both my knowledge of studies and myself as a person.
What’s something you’re most proud of since starting your apprenticeship?
I am extremely proud of myself for passing both exams I have been faced with so far in college. I have found my most recent exam significantly challenging however I find revising with the people in my course and both my independent studies enjoyable which helps my motivation levels massively. The feedback from my tutor helps me realise I am not only scraping passes but getting results I should be very proud of. I am excited to work my way through the levels and better my knowledge and understanding of AAT more and more.
