Hey, I’m Tom and I work as an ICT Technician Apprentice at Ramsey. From about four years old I’ve been using computers. 

My interest grew from there and after I realised my footballing ability was the same as that of my sausage dog I started thinking about getting a job in IT. I’m quite lucky because I knew from about thirteen years old what I wanted to do and every few years I adapted my plan slightly. The best thing to do is have some sort of plan in place (you don’t need to write it down but just think about it) think about the future e.g. after Ramsey where do I see myself? How can I achieve this? What steps do I have to take? If you don’t know what to do think about what you enjoy. My brother and I really enjoy football; we are die-hard Southend United fans (feel free to laugh). We didn’t try to get into that industry, we weren’t really good enough to play, but we could have done plenty of things: sports journalism, analysis, physiotherapy, coaching etc.

Think about what you enjoy and look at the wider picture because if you work hard you can get your dream job. The route to
that dream job is an important journey and you decide exactly what you want to do. The best advice I can give you is: have a
plan and do what you enjoy. Think of your path as a staircase and plan what you have to do to get to that next step: achieve
X,Y and Z grades, do a certain course, work at a certain shop etc. I wanted to get a job in IT because I loved computers so
before I started my GCSEs I thought about what I wanted to do when I finished school. College, apprenticeships and work
were the main options I thought about.

After researching all my options I decided I wanted to get an apprenticeship after I did my A-Levels at Colchester Sixth Form.
During my GCSEs I got my head down and revised, got the grades I wanted then enjoyed an awesome summer chilling out
with my mates before most of us started college. I wanted to get an apprenticeship after I finished college because it meant
that I could get decent grades and then start my career path. I finished my time at the College after achieving okay grades,
however, the apprenticeship didn’t quite fall into place straight away. I couldn’t find an apprenticeship during the summer
so instead I did the next best thing and worked in Currys selling computers which helped give me job experience and some
computer knowledge.

After about 3 months I started looking again and after I sold a laptop to Mr James, he told me that Ramsey was looking for
an IT Technician apprentice so I applied. I prepared for the interview, turned up and got the job. Six months down the line and
I’m at the school doing what I love.

Apprenticeships are a great way to get into your desired career path and it gets your foot in the door. Not only do you develop
contacts and work in your desired field but you also build up the knowledge that you need to be successful within that career.
I’m doing a job I like and getting paid for it. There’s always an opportunity cost that you have to bear in mind when thinking
about these steps – I knew I didn’t want to go to University because it wasn’t for me (there are many benefits like the social
life, degree, job experience within a sandwich year – where you work for a year in some courses) however I weighed up the
pros and cons and decided I wanted an apprenticeship. If you do the research you will have a better idea of what to do and
how to get there. If you don’t know where to look ask Careers or look on websites such as https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/.
Good luck.

Tom Jarman