They say the transition from school to the "real world" is supposed to be a slow crawl. For me, it was a sprint.

Exactly two weeks after I walked out of Cirencester Kingshill School for the last time, I wasn't at a beach or sitting through a summer induction for Sixth Form. I was stepping into my first day as an apprentice at Mainstream Digital.

Now, seven months and ten days into my journey, I can safely say it was the best decision I've ever made. My role isn't just about cables and servers; it's a hybrid position that covers Provisions, Faults, Engineering and mainly 1st Line Customer Support.

The Academic "Square Peg"

I'll be the first to admit it: I was never the "star" academic student. The theory, the long essays, and the four-walled classroom environment never quite clicked for me. My GCSE results were a reflection of that- I struggled with the way the information was delivered, not the information itself.

I realised early on that I am a tactile, practical learner. I don't want to read about how a network functions; I want to see the hardware, configure the provisions, and honestly, break things so I can learn how to fix them.

1st Line Support: The Human Side of Engineering

One of the most significant things I've learned is that engineering doesn't happen in a vacuum. Being on the 1st Line Customer Support desk means I am the first point of contact when a client is having a bad day.

It's one thing to fix a technical fault; it's another thing to talk a customer through that fault, translate technical jargon into plain English, and solve their problem in real-time. This "split" role has taught me that communication is just as important as a screwdriver or a laptop.

Learning by Doing (and Breaking)

My role involves a mix of provisioning new services and troubleshooting technical faults. It's a puzzle that changes every single day.

Whether I'm configuring hardware or diagnosing a connectivity drop, I've learned that the best engineers aren't the ones who memorised the most textbooks; they're the ones who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. My "strong point" turned out to be the exact thing that made me struggling in school. My need to be hands-on and solve real-world problems.

A Word of Thanks

I wouldn't be here without people who saw my potential beyond a grade sheet. I want to give a massive shoutout to the staff at Cirencester Kingshill School, particularly Mrs. Penny Hicks. She made me believe that my career path didn't have to look like everyone else's to be successful.

The Message to the Next Year 11

If you are currently sitting in a classroom feeling like you don't fit the mold, remember this: The mold might just be too small for you.

If you prefer fixing to reading, and doing to watching, an apprenticeship is your "Fast Track". You get to build a career, earn a living, and keep your weekends free from homework.

I'm only eight months in, and I've already learned a lifetime of skills. I can't wait to see where the next eight months take me.