My Mustard – Apprenticeship, what happens next?

Hugh Pettit works with the Hemel Hempstead based marketing agency My Mustard and remained with the business to progress his career after completing a two year apprenticeship in 2019. Hugh’s route into an apprenticeship started after spending a year at Hull University and studying law, which he bravely decided wasn’t the city or the career for him.

Hugh explains: “When I started looking around at what other options were open to me there was quite a big government push on apprenticeship schemes. When I was at school there was no other discussion, it was all about going to university. If I’d known there were other options I would have much rather done it earlier.”

“There were lots of places to look online to find information about the different types of apprenticeships available and the courses. I knew I wanted to go into marketing, but finding the apprenticeship was more difficult then, (2016/17). Now, I think it is easier in this sector.”

“I knew I really wanted the job with My Mustard so I prepared thoroughly and was really pleased to be offered it. I started in September 2017 and did a Level 4 Business Administration apprenticeship. It was very broad which was handy, as I was working in a smaller business. I found college useful as I had day to day experience of many of the things I was learning about.

“I’ve always felt part of the team here and this year I’ve been with the firm for five years. There was no doubt that I would stay with the firm when the apprenticeship finished. I’m a Marketing Associate now with my own clients and I do a broad range of work for them including events, updating websites, social media campaigns etc. Depending on the sector or the clients and whether they are B2B, B2C, professional services, construction there is always something different to do for them.”

“The further into my career I get, the more I realise the value of experience and how real world experience is important. I’ve got both experience and qualifications and I’m still learning things now with ongoing training. If I could do one thing again it would to have been more informed about my decision making and my career options while still at school and if was aware of then I wouldn’t have gone to university and effectively wasted a year. For a lot of people university is the best route, but I think there are also a lot of people like me who would have changed their mind and taken a different route if they had known more about it.”

“I don’t think schools should sell themselves just on how many of their sixth formers have gone onto university or a Russell Group University, they should also include those who have continued in education and gone on to do an apprenticeship and are building a successful career for themselves.”