Ask An Apprentice - National Apprenticeship Week 2022

Yesterday we heard from CAM’s digital marketing apprentice, Lois Murphy, as she interviewed Director Ryan Naughton, and Marketing Manager, Hazel Shaw. (If you missed it, you can catch up here!) Continuing the celebration of all things apprentice for #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we turn the spotlight on Lois, in a feature not too imaginatively named … #AskAnApprentice

Ryan: So Lois, why an apprenticeship in digital marketing?

Lois: Honestly it felt the right thing for me to do. I looked into digital marketing and what it entailed, and knew that it was what I wanted to do. I went with my instinct. You have the chance to help improve and grow a business using technology. Digital tools are always growing and evolving, so there is always new skills to learn.

Hazel: Which parts of your apprenticeship have you enjoyed so far?

Lois: I have honestly enjoyed every part of it. There is always a chance to learn something new and then being able to apply what you have learned. Then getting to see the impact your work has had. It’s always rewarding.

Ryan: What’s the best and worst things about a fully remote apprenticeship?

Lois: Hmmm… the best thing about a fully remote apprenticeship is that even though I am at home, I am still able to create all the content that is needed. I am still able to communicate with all the members of staff if I need to.

The worst thing … that’s trickier. Not being able to see everyone and being in an office you have limited exposure to what that side of work is like.

Ryan: How did you choose your college provider?

Lois: I chose my college provider with the help of Hazel. She’d worked with TDM previously. As both the office and my college are a 250-mile trip away from me, a fully remote apprenticeship seemed fitting. TDM had moved online, so they seemed like the right learning provider. Despite being online, you still feel like you are in a learning environment with knowledge modules and workshops. We have regular catchups with our coaches. Honestly there is nothing more you could ask from TDM.

Ryan: What types of digital marketing are you doing on a day to day basis?

Lois: No day is the same! There are always new challenges and always something new to learn! I get to apply my college knowledge through a variety of different tasks. Most recently, I have been helping record our current website’s metrics in preparation for the new website. I have spent some time focusing on our CRM system and improving that so it can become an effective marketing and account management tool. An apprenticeship is all about learning so as your knowledge improves, the tasks change and you become trusted to do more.

Hazel: You appeared to really enjoy the work we did on CAM’s sponsorship of Dan Zelos?

Lois: Yes. Really loved that. It’s not every apprentice that gets to work on the sponsorship of a winning racing car driver! So more practically I was authoring social media content and post-race write-ups. Having spent the season, carefully tracking his every move, we were honestly so excited when Dan won the 2021 Mini Challenge Cup.  

Hazel: So what advice would you give to someone who was thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

Lois: If you have found something that you love doing, then do it! Why not? As long as you are confident that is the right thing for you to do and you think you are ready for work then seize the opportunity. Your knowledge will only continue to grow, and you will be able to apply what you learn as you go along.