From a young age, I struggled to decide on a career path. Being a vet seemed too sad, and personal shopping wasn’t a fit due to my lack of fashion sense, though I loved shopping. When choosing my GCSEs, I picked subjects I was good at: Double Art, French, and IT. I got average grades but didn’t know what to focus on, so I just drifted through school.
College presented the same dilemma. I chose A Levels in Sociology, Business, and Maths, thinking I was good at Maths until I started the course. My first year was spent worrying about relationships and friendships, leading to failure. I then opted for a BTEC in Health & Social Care, as I enjoyed looking after people. However, I got distracted by a zero-hour contract at a retailer, which led to a full-time position. Since then, I’ve worked in various roles including retail, administration, overseas holiday representative, and finance, until I found the apprenticeship sector.
In July 2024, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which explained my constant career changes and lack of focus. This diagnosis has helped me understand myself better. I’ve always had a strong sense of justice and equity, often engaging in debates to ensure people receive the support they need. Working in apprenticeships allows me to support those who face similar barriers and lack of support.
Over the past nine years, I’ve progressed from an administrator to a consultant in apprenticeships. My passion for removing barriers and improving accessibility to development opportunities has only grown since my diagnosis. I remain committed to creating accessible opportunities for people to enter the workforce or develop their careers. This is evident in my efforts over the past three years to introduce inclusive leadership and management development programs, such as Women in Leadership and BAGM empowerment apprenticeships, driving diversity and inclusivity at all levels of the organisation.
Outside of my professional responsibilities, I am deeply committed to promoting gender equality. I actively participate in Pokémon Trading Card Game tournaments to help address the gender disparity among competitors. In November 2024, I competed in the Sisterhood Tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, which is dedicated to female, non-binary, and transgender participants, and achieved a Top 3 finish. I replicated this success in the European International Sisterhood Tournament in London in February 2025, again securing a Top 3 position. Despite the challenges of balancing these activities with my work and family commitments, I remain dedicated to continuing my efforts in this area.
In addition to this, I have been nominated for the Skills Champion Award through the National Apprenticeship Awards, as well as Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year awards through Portsmouth & Chichester Apprenticeship Awards.
