Why a traditional degree is not the only path to success

For National Apprenticeship Week 2022 we're hearing from degree apprentice students. Alexia is studying a Chartered Manager apprenticeship with ARU while working in the hospitality industry.

After leaving school Alexia didn't think university would be for her, but her degree apprenticeship taught her she is capable of anything.

You’ve probably been told the importance of university a million times. Many family members, teachers and even friends likely commend going to university. With so much pressure to go to university and follow the traditional career path, it can feel like there’s no other road to success.

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, there are increasing numbers of happy, successful professionals who showcase that there’s another career path - a degree apprenticeship.

Alexia, from Northamptonshire, is an ARU Chartered Manager apprentice at Pizza Hut. “After finishing sixth form and entering employment, I didn’t think university would ever be an option for me, however, working for an organisation that encourages people development, Pizza Hut’s apprenticeship programme has enabled me to study for a degree that relates to my job role through ARU’s Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.”

As Alexia is experiencing, a degree apprenticeship at ARU offers the best of both worlds as you can get a full degree and earn money at the same time. You are employed throughout your apprenticeship and spend part of your time at university, still enjoying all the benefits traditional students receive.

But it doesn’t end there. As Alexia has experienced. “It has helped me to discover what I enjoy and what I’m passionate about and I’m really excited to soon be moving into a new role within the company as an apprenticeship trainer. I believe that the relationships I’ve built and the skills I’ve developed from this course helped me to achieve this.”

Alexia added that “school wasn’t particularly ‘for me’ but being in education when the time has been right for me, has taught me that I am capable of anything.”

Published to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022, and its theme Build the Future.

If you’ve been motivated and inspired by Alexia’s apprenticeship experience you can find out more about becoming an apprentice by visiting Work and study with degree apprenticeships.