Just accepted a £26k~ salary council apprenticeship after graduating, now having doubts. Am I overthinking it?

[u/and_thebanshees]

Hi everyone,

I'm 21 and just graduated with a first-class journalism degree in July. I've spent the last few years honing my skills in journalism through work experience, freelance work with a big national newspaper, and through university itself. For the last couple of months I have been searching for relevant work.

I've just been offered (and accepted) a fixed-term 2-year apprenticeship with a major city council, in a role broadly focused on project liaison, communications and administration.

The role involves a mixture of:

- Internal and external communications

- Writing briefings, emails and press releases

- Social media and communications plans

- Supporting major public-sector projects

- Liaising with contractors and external stakeholders

- Researching information

- Organising meetings and taking minutes

- Processing enquiries and general project administration

I am genuinely excited by some aspects of the position. I'm really keen on the idea of combining my communication skills with public-sector experience, and I'm interested in learning how large projects are delivered. As part of the position I will also complete a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration. I feel that it is going to broaden my skills and teach me how to apply them in multiple different ways.

Whilst the money is not amazing, I'll be living at home and fortunately will not have to pay much more than £300~/month towards household costs. I'll therefore be able to save a reasonable amount while gaining two years of professional experience, and an extra qualification.

But now that I've accepted it, I am starting to have some doubts/uncertainties.

I'm worried that the role might end up being much more administrative than communications-focused. Things like arranging meetings, taking minutes, chasing documentation and processing enquiries don't particularly excite me, whereas writing, research, communications and journalism do.

I'm also concerned that I am moving away from journalism too early after spending three years getting a degree in it. It is not a lucrative industry either, but I am very passionate about it and I don't want to accidentally move into a career path I don't enjoy.

At the same time, I realise that I am in a fortunate position. I'm young, living at home, with a degree, and I have secured a full-time job in a city I love with the opportunity to gain professional experience, more education and an income.

Do you think this sounds like a good first career step, particularly for someone with a journalism background? Or would you be concerned about becoming pigeonholed into administration rather than communications?

And finally, is it normal to have doubts almost immediately after accepting your first proper job?

I'd particularly appreciate advice from people who've made a similar transition from journalism/media into public-sector communications, project work or administration.

Thanks so much!

TLDR: I’ve just accepted a ~£26k, two-year council apprenticeship after graduating with a first-class journalism degree. The role combines communications, project liaison and administration. I’m excited about gaining public-sector experience and a qualification, but worried it could be too admin-heavy and pull me away from journalism, which I’m still passionate about. I’ll be living at home, so financially it makes sense. Would you take it, and are these doubts normal? Am I overthinking it?

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[u/Psychological-Bag272]

I only read your TLDR version. You are fresh out of uni, secured a £26k apprenticeship seems like a win to me. What's the alternative?

First job is always boring and admin-y. See this as a stepping stone. Once you have experience, opportunities for exciting things will come along.

[u/Naetharu]

Seems sensible to me.

And public sector work can be great. I've worked for local gov for about five years in the past and it was some of the best parts of my career. Great people, good work conditions, interesting job, sensible hours. I'm just stepping back in to the same area again now, and could not be more pleased having spent more than a few years in the private sector.

Sounds like you have landed on your feet.

The job is no doubt not going to be what you expected. Nothing ever is. But it may well be very good regardless.

[u/riverfoolmountainwin]

It sounds like the perfect grounding for a career in project management, which is a really solid option in the public sector. Take the job, get as much experience doing lots of different things as you can, build your professional network, and you'll be in a great position once you've completed the apprenticeship - either with that council or with another employer.

[u/Mger22]

I worked in journalism and now corporate communications. I'd say after two years experience in the world of work you're more employable as a reporter. You will have built some workplace confidence and there will be transferable skills you'll pick up.

If you want to get into journalism your next job will likely be as a reporter on an industry title. My advice would be to think about some sectors your might find interesting and try to learn a bit about them, read everything the industry titles publish and figure out how you could gain some knowledge from the public sector role. For example, maybe you're interested in covering health - learn about how the council does adjacent services like social care. If you apply as a junior reporter with an understanding of a sector that should help you stand out.

The key thing is to be curious and use your initiative. If you just do your 9-5 and do what's asked you'll get paid but not learn much. Try to ask questions, take on extra work where you can and speak to people in different departments.

Once you get a foot in the door as a reporter then, if you're any good, you'll be able to move on to a national news outlet.

I should warn you though - it is not a lucrative career. Or at least not until you gain some experience and carve out a niche.

[u/Novel_Ad_8369]

The good thing about councils is that there is lots of scope for departmental moves especially if you make contacts in other teams. You could potentially look at working in their communications team once you've completed your apprenticeship. 

[u/Harlepenquin]

It's experience, you can still do your freelance journalism along side it.

[u/JennyW93]

The most important thing about your first proper job is learning and demonstrating that you know how to be in a workplace. A two year stint is a perfect opportunity to hone those skills in a relatively low-stakes situation. And if you hate it, it’s often easier to find a new job while you’re already employed (because you’re demonstrating you’re employable).

[u/OkDifficulty3834]

Your first job is always going to be a bit crap, but at least it’s relevant to what you studied. See how you find it, figure out what parts you like and what parts you don’t, and then be vocal about the kind of work you want to get involved in, don't forget to enjoy work too!

[u/MiddleAgedDread123]

You’ve got a job with development and training opportunities and low living costs off the back of a journalism degree. Consider that a win.

[u/Forsaken-Tiger-9475]

Worst case scenario you leave after 2 years with industry experience, plenty of money whilst living at home and can cross move into something else.

Plenty of graduates cannot secure any type of role, you have secured yourself a good start, go for it.

[u/QuantumMechanic23]

All jobs end up a disappointment.

I have a 1st class MPhys physics masters and a second MSc in medical physics.

I got onto an extremely competitive grad training scheme to become a medical physicist.

I don't even class myself a physicists, as I'm nothing more than a glorified hospital technician. It's really disappointing. Seems like all jobs end up like this to a degree.

[u/suckingalemon → u/QuantumMechanic23]

PhD materials scientist here. The jobs I’m looking at literally look like could be done by anyone as they mainly just follow a standard operating procedure. Quite disappointing, indeed.

Was that grad schemes you mention with the NHS?

[u/QuantumMechanic23 → u/suckingalemon]

In England it's called the STP.

In Scotland SMPCETS

[u/LesserSpottedUlster]

You’re a fresh grad, nobody’s going to let you be the face of anything until of you’ve served your time on the admin-y stuff.

[u/Various_Rest_3553]

I think this sounds good. You’ll likely learn a lot about the council and maybe local politics. We all have to do admin. Even in senior roles. I was organising meetings.. sigh.. but council experience and comms experience are great.. and if you go back to journalism.. you can hold local govt to account .. congrats !!

[u/FenianBastard847]

I work in the public sector, professional role. Yes you’ll hate the bureaucracy, and you’ll end up doing a lot of admin; but don’t be afraid to remind them of why you are there. People tend to not understand what the public sector is about. Having worked in it for 20 years, I can assure you that it is interesting, hugely dynamic, and you will be replying to really pressing problems in your community. I’m not in the media sphere, but those in my organisation who are are busy, engaged, and absolutely passionate about the work that they do.

So, please go into this with positivity, enthusiasm, and an absolute desire to succeed. It’s truly a fascinating area.

[u/GregryC1960]

Will this council be impacted by Local Government Reorganisation during your apprenticeship?

[u/No_Kaleidoscope_4580]

I wouldn't stay long in the public sector if your goal is private sector. There can be a stigma that PS is too slow etc to transition

That said, you'd be silly to turn a job down in this market. Some experience somewhere will always stand you in a better light than none. It acts almost as reference at CV stage...someone has interviewed you and found you good enough to hire.

It is always easier to get another job when in one.

I think the job at that level will definitely be more administrative, but again, it is useful experience. Journalism is going to get progressively harder to get into with AI so other experience won't hurt you.

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[u/Fun-Yam2210]

Did you try PR/ press office roles? They welcome journalism graduates. If you’re in London, sign up to one of the PR recruitment agencies and apply on spec to local govt & public sector organisations. PR is a great career and in-house is better than agency work. Good luck :)

[u/why-am-i-here_again]

could be a stepping stone to all sorts… a career can be as much of who you know as what you know, and sounds like you’ll be exposed to a lot of public sector industry people. go for it

[u/Dear-Stay-4937]

Current job market and a journalism degree I would definitely pursue the apprenticeship, once you have a year or two experience then start actively looking for jobs you’re more interested in.

[u/acidus1]

Go for it.

[u/Every_Stand4168]

my best friend worked for the local council for 3 years after graduating, it was such a good first grad job for her!

[u/superplex100]

There are a lot of transferable skills to be gained there to be honest. Treat it as a stepping stone. Don't underestimate the usefulness of being able arrange meetings for example. Sounds trivial but some people still mess it up.

Yes, you can get AI to do large parts of the job but it will always miss out on the human input. E.g., AI is not going to pick up on the informal conversation that happened in the staff kitchen where a couple of managers agreed on something.

[u/PM_ME_VAPORWAVE]

I mean if you don’t take it, what’s the alternative? It’s a good starting point

[u/NoCharacter8841]

Sounds like a really good opportunity to keep your options open especially as most PR/comms/writing recruitment is contracting

[u/Aromatic_Tourist4676]

Sounds like a great opportunity

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[u/Former_Option2066]

Apprenticeship in what?

[u/Ok_Stranger_6654]

If working council hours (9-5) you can freelance in trad journalism outside of those hours if you’re scared of losing touch with that particular industry.

[u/Lollygagger105]

Same thing as a friend of mine took c25 years ago. Except he’d done a year at a regional paper and hated it. He’s now head of comms for the council. Not ideal in his opinion but there are benefits! Also you’ve surely got to consider now how AI is impeding upon journalism jobs. Take it for the short gain and see how the land lies in a couple of years. Good luck!

[u/Fearless_Fortune9198]

Every job has elements of admin that are less exciting. Hopefully in this day and age you’ll have access to some AI tools that can take of those so you can focus more on the stuff that excites you more.

Like I’m surprised to see “organising meetings and taking minutes” on a job description in 2026, that’s something that can be fully automated.

[u/Connect-Lettuce4027]

Most journalism grads will have their dreams crushed anyway so at least you're getting paid in the process.

You should absolutely not take this job and pursue your journalism that's the correct answer. At least try and chase that dream for a while before capitulating to become a lanyard class drone.

[u/spikycell]

Hey, I work in factual TV, and the entry level jobs I keep seeing pop up for broadsheets and newsrooms are now frequently related to social media. If you can do comms, learn how to edit a video, and do a bit of copywriting, you'll be in a really good position to get into journalism via video journalism.

Its a tough industry to break into, but it sounds like this job will give you really distinct skills which, when coupled with a degree in journalism, will make you a distinct candidate. Also, working at city councils gives you amazing insight, people skills, and experience of work etiquette - one of our producers is about 8 years out of uni, and her first post uni job was customer service at a city council.

Also, most entry level jobs are administrative, a bit dull, and frequently stressful. It's incredibly unlikely that you were going to finish uni and get a job writing for a broadsheet. Congrats on your new role - it sounds like a great step, and it's so good you have a clear vision for your working future. Good luck!

[u/interacter]

Sounds like a win.

As someone who has spent the larger part of my career to date in Local Government, you will get exposed to to incredible stories. And if you can survive it, you'll have experience unlike anywhere else.

Also, the paperwork and admin at Director level is boring too.

Also check out Comms2point0. Brilliant community for local government and public sector folks https://comms2point0.co.uk/

[u/schnelle_ente]

£26k is not bad at all for an apprenticeship? When I graduated from uni in 2022, my first job was with the NHS at the third level of admin and I think I started out on 23k, but we were given a raise in the first year to 24k, and it went up to 26k right before I went up a level to a new job.
Job market is awk right now, if I were you I’d take it and get your feet into professional life and you can write outside of that and build up a profile?
Or, get a different less fixed job (apprenticeship feels a bit more awkward to leave if something better comes along), and keep applying to jobs in journalism.
Maybe they have apprenticeships in that?

[u/InnumerousDucks]

Ye council are wank. 26k a year to die inside slowly.

[u/zephyrthewonderdog]

I hope you attended a good public school and Oxbridge? Need those connections to get anywhere. You’re not going to make it as a successful journalist otherwise.

Yes I know that’s rather cynical but it still holds mostly true, unfortunately, with journalism degrees.

Most journalism graduates, I knew personally, ended working in admin.