If you’d told 18‑year‑old me that one day I’d be working in PR and digital marketing, gaining real industry experience, and studying toward a Level 6 degree… I would’ve stared at you like you had three heads. Because at 18, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do. And honestly, who does?
This is the story of how I went from a media makeup course dropout to someone who’s finally found her place - and how a whole lot of stress, determination, and a bit of luck shaped the journey.
Fresh out of school, I did what a lot of people do: I picked something I thought I’d enjoy. For me, that was a media makeup course at Belfast Met. I loved makeup, I loved being creative, and it felt like the right choice.
But once I started, I realised quickly that it wasn’t for me. And that’s a horrible feeling - sitting in a classroom thinking, is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
So, I dropped out. And even though it was the right decision, it didn’t feel great. I took a year out to work and figure out my next steps. That year was stressful. I kept thinking, how am I meant to know what career I want at 18? Because seriously - how?
During that year, I became a full‑time researcher of… everything. I literally went through the alphabet looking at careers. A for accountant? No. B for barrister? Definitely not. C for chef? Absolutely not.
Then somewhere in the chaos, I stumbled across digital marketing.
And suddenly something clicked.
I don’t know why I’d never thought of it before. I’d been creating and editing videos since I was 13 - making daily makeup videos on Instagram and TikTok, experimenting with trends, transitions, and content ideas. I was basically doing half the job without realising it.
It felt like discovering a career that had been hiding in plain sight.
Once I knew digital marketing was something I wanted to pursue, I started researching courses. But I also knew one thing for sure: university wasn’t the right path for me.
Anyone who knows me knows I’d have been going for the nightlife and the social life more than the lectures. And I was not putting myself into debt for that.
That’s when I discovered Higher-Level Apprenticeships in Digital Marketing, Advertising and Communications. Both Southern Regional College (SRC) and Belfast Met offered them, and the idea of learning and earning hell yes.
I applied to both, but SRC made the most sense since it was only 30 minutes away.
The application process felt like UCAS all over again. Once I submitted it, the waiting game began.
Here’s the catch with Higher-Level Apprenticeships: you need an employer to secure your place. And there are only 15 spaces each year.
So, while I was excited about finally finding something I wanted to study, I was also terrified I wouldn’t get a placement.
Weeks went by. Nothing. No emails. No calls.
Eventually, I took matters into my own hands. I contacted businesses myself, sent out CVs, and tried everything I could think of. Unfortunately, nothing came through.
Then - two weeks before the course started - I got the call. I had secured an employer just in time. It felt like everything was finally falling into place.
Except… it didn’t last.
A year and a half later, things didn’t work out, and I had to leave. Suddenly, I had only a few weeks to find a new employer or risk being kicked off the course entirely.
Cue the panic.
Those three weeks were intense. I contacted every business I could think of. I printed out my CV and handed it out in person - very old school, but I wasn’t giving up.
Then I received an email from Riki at RNN Comms. She was intrigued and wanted to hear more. I went for an interview, but unfortunately, a Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) placement wasn’t possible for her at that time.
Still, I wasn’t walking away. I suggested working part‑time for a few days a week to gain PR experience. And she said yes.
Around the same time, I secured an HLA position with Glór Uachtar Tíre. So suddenly, I was working two days a week at RNN Communications and completing my HLA with Glór Uachtar Tíre. It was a lot - but it was exactly what I needed.
The team at RNN welcomed me with open arms. Everyone was so lovely, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping me grow.
After some time there, I decided to pluck up the courage and ask Riki if she would reconsider taking me on as a Higher-Level Apprenticeship.
To my surprise - and honestly, relief - she said yes. She told me that after seeing how I work, and the ambition and passion I have, she’d be happy to give it a go.
That moment changed everything.
Working in PR and digital marketing has given me experiences I never would’ve had if I’d gone to university. I’ve attended events for clients, worked on real campaigns, learned from industry professionals, and built confidence I didn’t know I had.
Most importantly, I didn’t give up. Even when things felt impossible, I kept pushing.
Now, I’m on track to graduate with a Level 5 qualification in Digital Marketing, Advertising and Communications in August 2026. After that, I plan to continue for another two years to complete my Level 6 (Hons) Degree Higher-Level Apprenticeship Top‑Up.
I’m excited for what’s ahead. And I know I wouldn’t be here without the support of my amazing team at RNN - and of course, my mum. Shoutout to Annie.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your path doesn’t have to be straight. You can drop out, start over, change direction, panic, try again, and still end up exactly where you’re meant to be.
I didn’t know what I wanted at 18. But I figured it out - slowly, messily, and with a lot of determination.
And honestly? I’m proud of me.
