How I Survived Dropping out of University
25th August 2022, by Ellie Carpenter
Back in January 2019 is when I sent in my application to study Psychology with Criminology at Loughborough University after taking a gap year. But during my gap year, towards the end of 2019, the feeling that I didn’t want to go to university kept growing so I began looking at other options. Growing up in a digital world, social media has always interested me, and I loved the idea of combining this interest with a career.
I found my Level 3 Junior Content Producer (JCP) apprenticeship through a Facebook ad that was posted by a locally-based company, All Spring Media, a training provider for apprenticeships in the media industry. I didn’t know a lot about apprenticeships, as my secondary school was very university-focused with countless sessions being taught about uni, in comparison to having less than a handful of sessions on apprenticeships. As a result, all of my friends were either at or planning to go to uni and no one I knew was thinking about apprenticeships as an alternative route; but after researching how they work and the benefits they provide, I decided to apply via the Facebook application link.
Luckily enough I was invited to the office for an interview, which involved a sit-down conversation as well as a few practical job-related activities. For the next few days, the apprenticeship interview was all I could think about, so I was over the moon when I got a call from All Spring Media offering me the job! The role was a big step for me as, never having studied media at school, I had limited knowledge of the creative industries – but it was my creativity and passion for social media that drew me in.
Throughout my 13-month apprenticeship, I had the best time learning valuable skills and behaviours about the media industry that will stick with me for my whole career. The apprenticeship helped me grow as an individual and develop a strong work ethic which I am proud of to this day.
After passing my JCP apprenticeship, I began to feel slightly lost in what I wanted to do with my career and seeing my friends enjoying themselves at university made me feel like I was missing out. So I decided to have a complete change and go to uni to study Media, Communication and Culture. However, a few months in I could already tell that the “uni experience” was not for me. The biggest adjustment was the difference in lifestyle. I was used to working and earning money, so being a full-time student with no part-time job was a struggle, particularly in a very competitive job-hunting landscape. This, partnered with the realisation that my preferred learning style is through practical work rather than in a lecture hall, made me doubt if going to uni was the right call for me.
In early 2022, I decided to drop out of uni. I wasn’t sure what my next steps would be but I knew I was interested in Public Relations. I had a look around at PR internships and entry-level roles and began applying. However, the majority of internships were graduate internships and, although I had experience in social media, this proved to be irrelevant as the majority of companies were looking for specific PR experience – which I didn’t yet have.
I spoke with Martina, the Managing Director of All Spring Media, about the possibility of returning to work in a PR role. Martina and the ASM team have always been supportive of me and welcomed me back as the new Marketing and PR Coordinator. After a few months back at ASM, I started a Level 4 Public Relations and Communications apprenticeship, and I couldn’t be happier to be learning and earning again!
Although uni didn’t work out for me, I’m glad I tried it as if I didn’t go, I think I would’ve always been thinking “what if…”. However, I can now confidently say that I am at a good place in my career, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. One piece of advice I would give is to listen to yourself. People learn and build their careers in different ways. I have changed my mind about what path felt right for me, and that’s ok. No experience is wasted. The important thing is to consider what’s worked and what hasn’t worked for you and take that knowledge into consideration when taking your next step. And don’t overlook your network. Somebody you know could connect you to your next opportunity!
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How I Survived Dropping Out of University
25th August, 2022 by Ellie Carpenter
Back in January 2019 is when I sent in my application to study Psychology with Criminology at Loughborough University after taking a gap year. But during my gap year, towards the end of 2019, the feeling that I didn’t want to go to university kept growing so I began looking at other options. Growing up in a digital world, social media has always interested me, and I loved the idea of combining this interest with a career.
I found my Level 3 Junior Content Producer (JCP) apprenticeship through a Facebook ad that was posted by a locally-based company, All Spring Media, a training provider for apprenticeships in the media industry. I didn’t know a lot about apprenticeships, as my secondary school was very university-focused with countless sessions being taught about uni, in comparison to having less than a handful of sessions on apprenticeships. As a result, all of my friends were either at or planning to go to uni and no one I knew was thinking about apprenticeships as an alternative route; but after researching how they work and the benefits they provide, I decided to apply via the Facebook application link.
Luckily enough I was invited to the office for an interview, which involved a sit-down conversation as well as a few practical job-related activities. For the next few days, the apprenticeship interview was all I could think about, so I was over the moon when I got a call from All Spring Media offering me the job! The role was a big step for me as, never having studied media at school, I had limited knowledge of the creative industries – but it was my creativity and passion for social media that drew me in.
Throughout my 13-month apprenticeship, I had the best time learning valuable skills and behaviours about the media industry that will stick with me for my whole career. The apprenticeship helped me grow as an individual and develop a strong work ethic which I am proud of to this day.
After passing my JCP apprenticeship, I began to feel slightly lost in what I wanted to do with my career and seeing my friends enjoying themselves at university made me feel like I was missing out. So I decided to have a complete change and go to uni to study Media, Communication and Culture. However, a few months in I could already tell that the “uni experience” was not for me. The biggest adjustment was the difference in lifestyle. I was used to working and earning money, so being a full-time student with no part-time job was a struggle, particularly in a very competitive job-hunting landscape. This, partnered with the realisation that my preferred learning style is through practical work rather than in a lecture hall, made me doubt if going to uni was the right call for me.
In early 2022, I decided to drop out of uni. I wasn’t sure what my next steps would be but I knew I was interested in Public Relations. I had a look around at PR internships and entry-level roles and began applying. However, the majority of internships were graduate internships and, although I had experience in social media, this proved to be irrelevant as the majority of companies were looking for specific PR experience – which I didn’t yet have.
I spoke with Martina, the Managing Director of All Spring Media, about the possibility of returning to work in a PR role. Martina and the ASM team have always been supportive of me and welcomed me back as the new Marketing and PR Coordinator. After a few months back at ASM, I started a Level 4 Public Relations and Communications apprenticeship, and I couldn’t be happier to be learning and earning again!
Although uni didn’t work out for me, I’m glad I tried it as if I didn’t go, I think I would’ve always been thinking “what if…”. However, I can now confidently say that I am at a good place in my career, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. One piece of advice I would give is to listen to yourself. People learn and build their careers in different ways. I have changed my mind about what path felt right for me, and that’s ok. No experience is wasted. The important thing is to consider what’s worked and what hasn’t worked for you and take that knowledge into consideration when taking your next step. And don’t overlook your network. Somebody you know could connect you to your next opportunity!
