After completing a T Level in Digital Business Services, Muumbe secured a degree apprenticeship at PwC. She's now in the second year of the programme and works as a software engineering consultant
Why did you decide to do a T Level followed by a degree apprenticeship?
The T Level in Digital Business Services, which I studied at Gateway College in Leicester, offered a blend of classroom learning and real-world experience.
The course included a 45-day industry placement, which made me realise how much I enjoyed working and developing practical skills. This led me to consider an apprenticeship rather than attending university.
A degree apprenticeship offers the best of both worlds - I get paid to earn and learn, and by the end, I'll have gained three years of experience at a reputable company.
I also appreciated that T Levels and apprenticeships are designed in collaboration with employers, so I know that what I'm learning is relevant and valued in the workplace.
How did you find and apply for your apprenticeship with PwC?
I found the opportunity on PwC's careers website and applied directly.
I also used resources like Rate My Apprenticeship to understand what to expect from the programme.
How does the apprenticeship work?
I am doing a degree apprenticeship in digital and technology solutions, with a focus on software engineering. I am studying this at Ada, the National College for Digital Skills.
The apprenticeship is structured to give me both technical knowledge and practical experience. I spend 20% of my time learning at college and 80% of my time on the job where I am deepening my understanding of the industry and putting my skills into action.
My responsibilities include:
working with tech teams on innovative projects
explaining complex work in simple terms
helping companies benefit from their innovation.
I've also had the opportunity to travel to various offices around the UK, as well as to New York.
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?
I really enjoy the chance to travel. I've visited New York, Glasgow, London, Bradford, and Birmingham, meeting people from various offices while working on my projects.
The flexibility and the chance to work on real initiatives make it much more engaging than I expected. I was part of the first cohort of apprentices for the team I was placed with, and initially, I was apprehensive but eager to learn.
Now, 10 months into the course, I've been exposed to numerous worthwhile experiences and have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of technology. I feel like I'm always learning something new.
Also, everyone is very nice and supportive of my career journey. I'm not treated as a temporary employee, but as a valued team member, which has made a huge difference to my confidence and development.
What aspects do you find challenging?
The biggest challenge for me is managing my time effectively. Balancing work deadlines, university assignments, and personal wellbeing can be tough. I have to be disciplined to keep up with everything, but I've learned a lot about prioritising and self-care.
Sometimes, I experience FOMO (fear of missing out) when I see my peers taking traditional university courses with more free time, but I know the experience I'm gaining through my degree apprenticeship is invaluable.
What support have you received from the college?
Ada has a strong learner support system. I can get assignment extensions when needed and have regular check-ins to ensure I'm coping with the workload.
This support has been crucial in helping me manage the demands of both work and study.
Tell us about any workplace initiatives you're involved with.
I'm involved in people networks such as the Black Network and Christian Network, and I enjoy participating in hackathons - events where people come together to collaborate on solving a problem or identifying new opportunities.
These experiences have helped me build confidence, meet people across the organisation, develop teamwork and communication skills, and gain an understanding of what working in my chosen field is really like.
What are your plans for after your apprenticeship?
I'd love to work abroad, possibly in cloud computing or solutions architecture. I'm also interested in starting something creative on the side.
The skills and experience I'm gaining now are giving me a clearer idea of my career options and what employers are looking for.
What advice would you give to others considering a degree apprenticeship in this field?
Go for it. If you're not satisfied, don't hesitate to try something else, like an apprenticeship. Everyone learns differently, and it's important to find what works for you. You don't need to have everything figured out straight away; experience will help you discover your strengths.
Talk to people, ask about their roles, and build relationships. You never know what opportunities might come from it.
Consider technical and vocational routes like T Levels and apprenticeships. They offer a perfect blend of classroom learning and real-world experience, opening up numerous options for the future.
