With fewer than 6 months until my contract ends, I reflected on the words and acts of the people at Google that have shaped my apprenticeship experience and growth.
Perhaps you’re like me now. You’ve gone past the halfway mark of the apprenticeship, now wondering what awaits us around this time next year.
Or perhaps you’re like me about a year ago. You’re interested in applying for an apprenticeship, and curious to know how one feels about the experience. Whichever you are, this article is for you.
I’m Yi Yun, and I’ve been a digital marketing apprentice since October 2022.
In this blog post, I will share my reflections and takeaways from the experience in three quotes, which have resonated throughout my apprenticeship journey.
Quote #1 “If we were in a car on the journey, you are in the driver’s seat. You get to decide where we’re going – and we’ll be right behind and with you.”
Prior to my apprenticeship, I was trained as a conductor and musician at university. Upon graduation, I wanted to pivot to a full-time career in tech, and grow my musical aspirations at the same time.
So I shared my ambition and goals with my manager during our first one-to-one meeting, shortly after exchanging introductions and experiences leading up to Google. My manager’s response sums up an honest, mindful, and intentional approach to personal growth and career development. I was deeply encouraged by his words.
Building trust and a shared way of communication takes time. I’ve learned that it starts with showing up with our authentic selves and keeping an open mind.
Quote #2: “Keeping yourself active and fit will benefit your work and prevent burnout.”
When I was starting out at my new role, I wanted to learn and progress more quickly during the ramp-up period, in light of trying to make the most out of each day.
But my colleague’s words reminded me that we can do and enjoy our work, hobbies, and life, if we prioritise our personal health and fitness. It was a timely reminder which I recall whenever I spend less time on things outside work.
Since then, I’ve maintained a regular fitness routine at the gym and even picked up boxing as a new sport! I’ve also found myself working with sharper focus and greater creativity, as well as gaining better sleep.
Quote #3: “Build your own board of directors and use them as your personal sounding board.”
Exploring and developing career progressions and ambitions can be challenging. But we need not navigate the journey on our own. A senior director encouraged us to:
- build our own board of mentors and critics
- ask for their feedback
- reflect on how we could apply them to improve our skills and performance.
Reaching out for help or feedback can be unnerving. I try to turn the fear of rejection into a sense of anticipation, and see these interactions as an opportunity to learn. To discover myself and others with an open mind.
Closing
I’ve had both university education and an apprenticeship experience, and both of them have been deeply rewarding.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the new challenges and opportunities that would come with the end of the apprenticeship – and the start of something new.
In the meantime, I want to enjoy every day to its fullest: learning, experimenting, failing, persisting, and making progress, and doing it all over again.
If you want to learn what an apprenticeship is and who it is for, check out this blog post. To find out more about Google apprenticeships, visit their website here.
