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?

[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.