If you love Facebook, Twitter or Instagram then you might like to know that such a thing as a social media apprenticeship exists. We spoke to Tangerine PR's first ever King of the Likes.
Name:Dan Weller
Age:18
Background:I passed all my GCSEs, with Media Studies (A), Maths (A), English Language (A) and Science (B). I then achieved Music Technology (A), Photography (B) and Film Studies (C) at A2 Level. Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I’ll graduate with a City and Guilds Level 3 in Social Media.
I’m originally from Crawley in West Sussex, but I relocated to Manchester specifically to do my social media apprenticeship with The Juice Academy.
So do you really Facebook for a living?
As Tangerine PR’s apprentice, I look after a number of our clients’ social media channels, such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. I’m involved in the content planning procedures – where we plan ahead in terms of tweets and posts – before scheduling this content and also taking part in company brainstorms.
The training side doesn’t feel like your traditional apprenticeship and I mean that in a good way! The lessons are theory-based, with a curriculum that evolves with the ever-changing face of social media, but every single one is delivered in a fun way.
What’s your favourite bit of working as a Social Media Apprentice?
I really enjoy brainstorms – it’s a great way to find out more about the company'smany clients and their goals. I also bring a different viewpoint to the table and I feel like my opinion is valued.If I had tochoose a least favourite thing it would be the admin side of the role, but I know it’s essential to keep the business running effectively.
How did you get to this position?
I knew I didn’t want to go to university and I came across The Juice Academy as I looked for other options. I knew instantly this was the path I wanted to take – I get to use skills I already have and constantly improve them, which is perfect for me.
The application process is not typical in any way - candidates are shortlisted to attend a bootcamp day, where you go through various activities such as speed interviews and Vine tasks to be whittled down and selected by employers who want to hire you.
Many young people reading your profile might like to do exactly what you’re doing – what advice can you give them?
My advice would be – don’t just say it, show it. I brought my portfolio to bootcamp, which showed how I’d applied all my relevant skills in various scenarios, and I feel that can only help enhance job applications.
I wish someone had told me about how much preparation goes into a lot of online content. It’s easy to think every post is live, but many have been planned and scheduled in advance, to reach certain audiences at certain times.
Why did you choose this path?
I live and breathe social media, so it made perfect sense to use these skills as a platform for my career. The Juice Academy is the UK’s first social media apprenticeship that’s led by the industry itself, so we’re being taught by people in the know.
What have been the biggest challenges so far?
This is my first job, so getting used to the working hours was a new thing for me. I think I’ve settled in really well and I’m loving every minute.
Where would you like to be in five years’ time?
I’d still like to be working at Tangerine PR, especially after the faith that was shown in me to be its first social media apprentice. It doesn’t feel like work, as I’m working with great people who I consider to be friends already.
For more information, or to express an interest in becoming an employer or apprentice, please contact [email protected]
