My name is Natasha Palmer, I am 21 and from York. 

During my A levels, I was unsure of my next step. My college focused heavily on going to university. I wanted to continue studying, but I also wanted to get a job and start gaining some practical experience. So I started considering an apprenticeship as it meant I could do both.

I looked at apprenticeships in media and marketing as this reflected the skills that I’d already gained. I applied for the Minster FM apprenticeship online and I was lucky enough to be invited for an interview - where I was successful.

I joined a team of two, myself and the digital content controller, but I also work with the sales team, presenters and people across the country who are part of the parent group.

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More confident in my abilities

Choosing an apprenticeship was the best decision. Personally, I have become more confident in my abilities. I have also learned so much and have been fully supported by Minster FM throughout completing my level 3 and level 4 in digital marketing.

I plan to continue to level 6 in marketing and have the full backing of Minster FM. I hope to continue my career in digital media, hopefully within the radio sector as it’s such an interesting media to be in.

Since starting my apprenticeship I’ve gained loads of experience in both digital marketing and the commercial radio industry. I’m now proficient in producing a wide range of digital content to a high standard for the radio station and our commercial clients.

I’m now skilled in the industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs including Illustrator, Premiere Pro and Photoshop. I use the company’s content management system to produce quality web content, and MailChimp to produce e-marketing campaigns. I also market vouchers using social media, web and e-marketing. For each one, I produce a web page promoting the offer, using write-ups, photos and videos.

Biggest growth area

I am fully supported by the management team and am regularly given tasks to manage. In my first year of managing our discount voucher scheme, I helped generate over £185,000 for the business. The revenue from vouchers has continued to increase by 23 per cent year on year making it the biggest growth area for Minster FM’s business.

In September 2018, I had to perform a significant, time-sensitive legal change to our website where many pages had to be changed at a specific time to coincide with a public announcement by Minster FM that was being closely scrutinised by the national media. This was a real challenge as I had to maintain Minster FM’s professional web presence while being fully compliant.

I overcame a fear of heights by climbing to the top of York Minster while filming the drivetime presenter and live streaming to the Minster FM Facebook page.

I’ve gained confidence in myself and my abilities and the apprenticeship has motivated me to study for and pass the CIM level 6 in marketing.

I consider myself an ambassador for apprenticeships and at our group’s digital conference in Exeter, I gave a presentation to colleagues from around the country on the benefits of apprenticeships and demonstrated some of the work I’d been doing for Minster FM.

The chief executive of the radio group contacted my managing director to say how impressed he was with the presentation and it also resulted in a number of other radio stations in our group recruiting for an apprentice.

Some of my best achievements so far have been winning apprentice of the year for the York region in 2018 and higher or degree apprentice of the year at the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Awards 2019. It’s an honour to have my hard work and efforts recognised and it was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase apprenticeships in the area and let people learn about the benefits of apprenticeships. Working for a radio station meant that I was able to report on the event and get the message about apprenticeships and their benefits out to our listeners.

I have been fully supported by my family and friends throughout my apprenticeship and they are extremely proud of what I have achieved. I am now employed by Minster FM as their digital content producer and I continue to take on new tasks and challenges. I look forward to a long and happy future within this industry and would highly recommend the apprenticeship route to any young person considering what to do when they leave school.

Natasha Palmer has completed a level 3 and level 4 in digital marketing with Minster FM. She tells her story as part of the Tes #InspiringApprentices campaign.