#ScottishAppWeek2024 | Lana McGill
Lana McGill
Office Administrator
Scottish Financial Enterprise
For Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024 we asked the latest addition to the SFE team, Lana McGill to write a blog for us discussing her office administration apprenticeship, what she has learned over the past 6 months and how she feels she has progressed since joining.
What is your apprenticeship and why did you choose it?
Six months ago, I started my SCQF level 6 Business and Administration apprenticeship. This was something I had never taken to at school as I didn’t know what this entailed. I’ve always found a career in business fascinating and something I would like to progress towards to, however I found myself leaving school with no qualifications in business and a wide range of qualifications in other areas. Whilst studying at school, I was lucky enough to have a part time job working at Craigie’s Farm, learning about customer engagement, working events and learning about a business role. After I left school, I worked there full time, furthering my knowledge and skills.
Business and Administration was something I was very interested in, so I applied for a part time college course to help me get my business qualification. This, however did not suit my lifestyle. The course was for 3 hours every Saturday, whilst I was working and I felt I didn’t gain as much as I would have hoped to from it.
I decided to get a fresh start in June last year and take some time for myself to focus on what I wanted, so I left my job and college and started looking for work. There weren’t many options available for the apprenticeship I was after, which was defeating. This was until I came across SFE offering a business and administration apprenticeship. The more I researched SFE and what they do, my heart was set on working there and not long after I applied, I was starting my first day there.
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship and why?
Since joining SFE, there has been so many aspects that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have loved learning more about myself and my capabilities. I felt out of my depth starting this apprenticeship and wasn’t sure if I would be good enough, but I have proved myself wrong. I enjoy going to events, getting out and about, meeting new people and hearing their stories, some of which have really inspired me. I have also enjoyed slowly fitting into my role, and working on tasks that I genuinely enjoy. I have built good relationships at SFE and from the first day till now, everyone is still so welcoming and supportive towards me.
I think the most enjoyment I get, is when the team work so hard towards an event and being able to go to the event and see all our hard work paying off.
Describe something that surprised you about your apprenticeship and why?
I think the most surprising thing for me whilst doing my apprenticeship has been how welcoming and supportive the team has been. I hadn’t been used to this level of support before and tend to work alone as I feel I shouldn’t ask for help in case it’s a burden to someone, but the SFE team go out of their way to help me with whatever I need. I find myself now learning to speak up if I’m struggling and make sure I get the help and support I need. I feel like a part of the team and have done since I started. I know if I ask a question no matter how silly it is, that I will get the support and answer I need. I understand everyone in the team can be busy, but they have always supported me throughout this whole process.
Describe something you learned about yourself doing your apprenticeship?
I have learned many things whilst doing my apprenticeship. I have become more confident in myself and my ability and go into work feeling happy and confident. I suffer with anxiety and haven’t always coped the best with jobs in the past, but working at SFE has really boosted my confidence, and made me feel included. I have learned to put myself out there more and take opportunities I wouldn’t usually take such as attending Glasgow50, which involved meeting new people and working in groups with people I had never met before. The team had suggested that I should go, and with their support I signed up and it was a great experience.
I have also learnt not to doubt myself with the work I’m doing and that I am more than capable of anything I set my mind to. I learned that I am a fast learner and have really taken to my role at SFE, my confidence in my role has increased majorly since I first started out.
How has your role changed since starting your apprenticeship?
Whilst it is still early on into my apprenticeship, I have seen significant changes to my role and what I do. I am now supporting with events which I love, and I am able to build my network with this. I have learned about our member platform and spend a lot of time working on that. I have learnt a lot since my first day and have been given different responsibilities since then and I feel confident in this. I do invoicing, events, expenses, and a lot of admin work which I have really enjoyed doing.
There has been a significant improvement in my role in only six months, which is very encouraging for me. An apprenticeship is the path I went down because of the hands-on experience. I have learnt so much and gained many new skills by doing this and would encourage anyone who is interested in an apprenticeship to apply.