Interview with Megan Holland, Marketing Officer

Tell us a bit about your current role?

I am currently working as the Marketing Officer for Warwick Retail, we manage the cafes, bars, restaurants and shops on campus and my role is to deliver the marketing strategy and ensure customer satisfaction through a consistent approach.

Why did you decide to become an apprentice?

I didn’t always know I wanted to do an apprenticeship. After completing my A-Levels, I was pushed in the direction of attending University where I studied for 6 months before deciding that wasn’t the right fit for me, and I decided to leave my course.

I then started a job working in admin. As part of my job, I was in charge of creating the company magazine as well as working alongside the Marketing Manager where I discovered my passion for marketing.

I looked into going back to University but by this point I was enjoying a 9-5 job where I was earning a salary, plus a lot of the marketing roles I looked at required experience, not a degree. This is when I started looking into apprenticeships. After a few weeks, I found the advert for the role of Marketing Apprentice at Warwick Print.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship at Warwick?

The apprenticeship at Warwick Print appealed to me for many reasons. Working as part of the University was an opportunity to be part of a global institution that actively encourages the learning and development of their staff - this was extremely important to me as I was determined to continue my education as part of my apprenticeship.

The role at Warwick Print promised an environment that encourages ambition and new ideas, with the support of industry experts and mentors, which was transparent at my first interview.

What were some of the highlights of your apprenticeship?

Working with exceptionally supportive staff at Warwick Print - my managers Jo-Ann Withers and Craig Colledge encouraged me to participate in the running of the business, putting trust in me and offering guidance whenever I needed it.

One of these instances was when I was given responsibility to promote DOPS, their online ordering system on campus. I was responsible for contacting departments and running training sessions as the Marketing representative of the business.

Another highlight was when I was nominated for the Deliver Individual award at the Campus and Commercial Services (CCSG) Staff Awards. I received a Highly Commended and was thrilled to be recognised alongside other accomplished members of the University.

What happened as your apprenticeship was drawing to a close?

In May 2016, shortly after completing my NVQ level 2, I was made aware of some new roles that had been created in the University and was encouraged to apply for a new Marketing Assistant role by my managers at Warwick Print. With their support, I interviewed and was successful in my application.

I worked as a Marketing Assistant in the CCSG agency team with Charlotte Ridley and Carl Freelove as my managers. Through their invaluable support and mentoring, I developed both confidence and expanded my skill set, equipping me with the tools to pursue new career opportunities.

What are your plans for the future?

My current plans are to continue enjoying the opportunity that the Marketing Officer role has offered me, and further develop my marketing skills whilst working at the University.

I am currently studying for my Level 4 CIM Certificate in Marketing, so my immediate plans are to complete the course. I am passionate about continuing my education and I am grateful that this is shared by my managers who have enabled me to enrol on the course.

What would you say to someone who was considering undertaking an apprenticeship?

It is an incredible opportunity that can be the first step in a successful career path. The opportunity to earn and learn is unparalleled.

Apprenticeships are becoming much more widely recognised than they used to be and more and more employers are looking into them. Before my role I had no idea you could do an apprenticeship in marketing or any other professional industry. Sometimes going to University isn’t the only option that could work for you.

Jo-Ann Withers, Deputy Head of Warwick Print and Megan’s line manager

How was your experience of working with an apprentice?

As a business we decided to take on three apprentices in 2015.
We advertised for a print, marketing and design apprentice via the national apprenticeship scheme.

Following the recruitment process Megan was successful in becoming our Marketing apprentice.

We found the process to be simple, straightforward and successful.
My experience of working with Megan can only be described as a pleasure, she was not only a brilliant employee but a wonderful person to spend the working day with. It is important to find an apprentice that fits in with the company, this way they will thrive and you will forge a successful working partnership.

I would certainly recommend the apprenticeship scheme to other University departments. I would recommend that they sit down and work out a cohesive job description and look at what duties and responsibilities the apprentice will be doing beforehand. The apprentice needs clear guidance and objectives to work to and also a dedicated work place mentor to be successful.

What are the benefits of having an apprentice working within your team?

We have benefitted greatly from employing apprentices, they have each added a new dimension to Warwick Print and contributed massively to the continued success of the business. Megan’s enthusiasm and dedication was like a breath of fresh air and helped to lift the morale of some of our longer standing members of staff. Megan was constantly bringing new ideas to the table and quickly became a highly valued member of the team.

With this in place we found that Megan as an apprentice was working at a much higher level for us and as a business we had a dedicated, competent member of staff at a very reasonable cost.
We were delighted for Megan when she secured a permanent higher graded role at the University as she greatly deserved it.

Megan is an ideal case study of how the apprenticeship scheme worked for both us as an employer and as an ideal starting block for Megan in her career in Marketing."

Carl Freelove, Marketing Manager, Campus and Commercial Services Group

Since joining the CCSG agency team from her apprentice role at Warwick Print, Megan has developed her marketing skills from the ground up and she’s been a real asset to the team and the CCSG businesses she has supported. In the two years that Megan has worked with the team, she has worked autonomously on some key projects for CCSG and her friendly, confident nature, creative thinking and eagerness to develop has been refreshing.

Having the opportunity to work with and shape a talented individual like Megan in the earliest stages of her career, has been a very attractive and rewarding proposition and I know that Megan will go on to become a very accomplished and successful marketing professional as her career develops further.”