After finishing my A-levels, I wasn’t sure which career path to take. I didn’t feel ready to dive into university and invest time and money into something I wasn’t fully certain about, so I decided to take a gap year. I saw it as an opportunity to gain experience and explore different options. During that year, I landed a three-month contract at Amazon, where I worked alongside an HR Assistant. That experience really sparked my interest in HR and gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the field.

From there, I began applying for HR roles and apprenticeships. Wise stood out to me because of its inclusive and diverse environment, the welcoming nature of its interviewers, and the opportunity to work within a fast-paced fintech setting. I was particularly drawn to the chance to learn from experts such as People Operation Leads, Reward and Payroll Specialists, workplace managers and join a team that clearly valued personal growth and development.

Since then, I completed my apprenticeship 1.5 years ago and have been fortunate enough to join Wise in a full-time role as a People Operations Junior Specialist.

My apprenticeship has been amazing for both my professional and personal growth. Professionally, I learned so much about the employee lifecycle and developed skills in onboarding, employee support, and data management. Working in the People Operations team also taught me how to problem-solve, juggle multiple tasks, and build strong relationships with colleagues all over the world.

On a personal level, I gained a lot of confidence and sharpened my communication skills. I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible mentors who have guided me every step of the way.

Collaborating with different teams and supporting employees pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Balancing work and studies taught me the importance of time management and discipline, and the challenges at work made me think on my feet and become more adaptable. Finishing my qualification and achieving various work milestones was such a rewarding feeling!

Without a doubt, it was the people. I loved spending time with my team and fellow apprentices, whether we were collaborating on tackling a task, or simply enjoying lunch together. Being part of a team with a range of backgrounds and experiences made the journey even more rewarding, as I was able to learn from different perspectives, build meaningful connections, and contribute to a collaborative environment.

I was lucky enough to be offered a permanent position within my team as a People Operations Junior Specialist. In this, I’ve been able to dive deeper into projects across the People Operations Team and contribute to various stages of the employee lifecycle. 

As well as focusing on the employee onboarding journey, I’ve gained experience in areas such as supporting with visas, relocations between offices, time off, employee benefits and offboarding—further strengthening my knowledge of the full employee lifecycle.

Go for it! I've always believed apprenticeships are a great opportunity because you get hands-on experience, you learn, and you get paid—what’s not to love? If you’re worried about not going to university, keep in mind that experience is incredibly valuable, and many apprenticeships allow you to continue learning as you work. Some providers even offer degree apprenticeships where you can do both at the same time!

It’s really important to explore your options and figure out what feels right for you, but I honestly think apprenticeships are a fantastic way to grow.

Absolutely—no regrets! I’ve learned so much, had a ton of fun, and built great relationships along the way.

I’m planning to complete my CIPD qualification to further develop my HR knowledge and skills. I’m also eager to gain more experience across different HR functions to become even more well-rounded in my career.