Alim started a university degree, realised it wasn't for him, and listened to his mum: there was an apprenticeship at Channel 4 in social media. He went after it, got through a tough selection day, and started the job he actually wanted.
A different route into the industry
University worked for the people around Alim. It didn't work for him. The Channel 4 social media apprenticeship looked perfect on paper: a real job in a real broadcaster, hands on the channel's social presence from day one. The hard part was the selection day. The good part is that he got through it.
What the apprenticeship actually covered
As a Channel 4 apprentice, Alim learnt the brand inside-out, picked up video editing skills, and ran social posts about new shows on Facebook and Twitter. One day a week was college work; the other four days were on the job. By the end of the programme he had real, shippable output in his portfolio — not a coursework folder.
A social media executive — and a mentor
Alim is now a social media executive at Channel 4 and is mentoring the next intake of apprentices. He's done a lot, met a lot of people, and likes that he earns his own money — contributing at home, doing what he wants with his mates, taking care of himself.
It was a big move to start an apprenticeship — but the best decision I've ever made.
Originally featured in Channel 4 Skills for Life.