TALENT WITHOUT LIMITS Ever wondered what happens in the real world of apprentices? To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Leidos Graduate Apprentice, Megan Gallagher, gives us the lowdown…
Balancing work and university life is challenging, however the support from everyone makes this transition easier. For example, I’ve been allowed to continue weekly training, games and events as part of Glasgow University’s football team, and when tests, exams or deadlines come up, Leidos are very accommodating. Six months here and I have made friends for life; we’ve even booked a holiday together. This would not have been possible if I wasn’t earning while I was learning.
Before starting my graduate apprenticeship with Leidos, I was following the traditional academic route. School to university. However, through the knowledge and help of my computing science teacher, I am now a Graduate Apprentice Developer at Leidos, a global science, engineering and technology firm, and working towards a degree in Software Engineering at Glasgow University.
I’d highly recommend the graduate apprenticeship route. It offers four years of work experience, a salary, and all the benefits of work and university life.
Earning and learning are two key words associated with the graduate apprenticeship scheme. Split into 8-week blocks, I attend university and work at Leidos, which allows me to develop and learn new skills and put them into practice in the workplace. I’m currently working on a customer project, receiving continuous support from my Leidos colleagues and manager. For the full fouryear programme, I have my own mentor who provides support and assistance and even sits right next to me for any questions!
To find out more about Leidos, please see ukcareers.leidos.com For more details on my graduate apprenticeship, see the Glasgow University site www.gla.ac.uk/schools/ computing/undergraduate/graduateapprenticeships/ or the Apprenticeships Scotland site: www.apprenticeships.scot
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