As National Apprenticeship Week kicks off, we’re excited to check in with Alex, our talented UX/UI Apprentice, who has now spent a year with STM AGENCY.
Over the past 12 months, Alex has made impressive strides in his role, enhancing his skills in user experience and interface design while making valuable contributions to our CODE team.
In this “One Year On” feature, Alex shares his apprenticeship experience, reflecting on his learning, personal growth, and the projects that have shaped his journey. We’re proud of his achievements and are thrilled to showcase his story.
Looking back, how would you describe your journey over the past year with STM AGENCY?
The last 12 months have flown by. Working in agency life has exposed me to a wide variety of projects and clients, and I've seen a real growth in my skills across both UX and UI. I've genuinely enjoyed every day with STM AGENCY since I started, and I’m excited to continue working with both new and existing clients in the future.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced during your apprenticeship, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges has been managing the balance between real-world work at the agency and the deadlines for my university assignments. Juggling both has been demanding at times, especially when the workloads peak in both areas.
To manage this, I make sure I am always clear on what need to be done and by when. Prioritising tasks based on deadlines helps me stay organised. Its not always easy, but it keeps me on track with both my work and studies.
What skills have you gained that you didn’t expect to learn when you first started?
When I first started the apprenticeship, I didn’t expect to learn as much about the software development side of things. But between university modules and hands-on projects at work, I've been able to develop my skills with popular CMS platforms like WordPress and HubSpot.
Can you share a project or task you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?
The project I’m most proud of is probably the Midcounties Pensions site I designed last year. It was the first project I worked on independently, which made it even more rewarding.
How have you seen your role evolve over the past year?
When I first joined the agency, most of the client projects I worked on were focused on UX. Since 2024, my workload has evolved into a mix of both UX and UI, and as mentioned, I’m now working on more projects independently as my skills have improved.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering an apprenticeship at STM AGENCY?
Go for it! It's a great place to work with friendly, supportive people. That’s definitely the main selling point of working at the agency, even if you’re applying for a traditional job and not an apprenticeship.
What has been the most enjoyable part of working at STM AGENCY so far?
In a typical working week, I've really enjoyed working with clients across different sectors, while also building relationships and collaborating with my colleagues.
Outside of the work day, I’ve had a great time at the Christmas and socials, which have been a great opportunity to connect with the team.
How do you feel STM AGENCY has supported your development and career growth over the past year?
Since starting my studies at university in September 2023, the client work I’ve been involved in has often aligned with the modules and topics I’ve been learning at that time. This has been really helpful in reinforcing the new concepts introduced at university, while also giving me hands-on experience applying these skills and techniques to real-world projects, rather than just in assignments.
Looking ahead, what are you excited about in the next stage of your apprenticeship?
I’m looking forward to further building my skills and becoming more of an asset to my team and the wider agency.
