Rachel may only be a few weeks into her software apprenticeship at Allsop, but she says she’s enjoying all of it and explains that her journey into the software sector hasn’t been a straight route, but one with plenty of meanders.

I would describe my journey after leaving school as an interesting one!

I left school after GCSEs and went to Belfast Met to study business – it was a great experience, and I enjoyed an internship and travelling abroad as part of the course. Then Covid hit and it caused me to rethink my career path.

I can’t say I have had a deep-rooted interest in software since a young age – quite the opposite! My interest really began during those quiet Covid months when I started thinking seriously about my future and where I wanted to be in 10 years’ time. That’s when I started researching the software industry.

Apprenticeships are familiar to me – my brother is currently doing an apprenticeship – and I started thinking that an apprenticeship would be ideal. My brother sent me a link to Workplus, and I was able to see a lot of the software apprenticeship opportunities in one place. It was a good process – clear timeline and easy to use. I applied to a few companies through the Workplus platform and got two interview offers. I was excited to be offered a role with Allsop and joined in Sept 2025.

I’m only a few weeks in but I’m enjoying everything about my apprenticeship so far. Allsop is a small, close-knit team, so I’m getting exposure to all the different departments in the company – from Product to Implementation and Operations.

I’m seeing every side of the business while also going to Ulster University a day a week. I’m Allsop’s first Early Careers Approach apprentice so it feels like we’re all on a new journey together. It’s brilliant that companies like Allsop are thinking beyond the traditional routes and are offering this pathway. That in itself shows what a forward-thinking company it is.

Blending work and education can be intense but I’m enjoying getting stuck in. I’ve great support at work and at university and have made new friends. I’m enjoying the Computing Systems BSc course lectures – and they’re all in the new Ulster University building which is amazing. Allsop is based in a beautiful building in Belfast so it’s great working and studying in lovely places.

I thought I might be the only female on the Computing Systems course but that is not the case, and I have a lot of female co-workers in Allsop – I find it very empowering and inspirational having female role models in software.

My advice for young people? Look at what’s right for you. I knew A Levels weren’t for me - going to Tech after GCSEs suited me best. Don’t feel you need to go the traditional route just because most of your friends are!

Also, look at the big picture. Ask “Where do I want to be in 5 years’ time?” Where can you imagine being?

My path into software hasn’t been direct but I’m so glad to be working in the software sector now – there’s a real buzz about it. I’m a complete beginner but that’s exciting as there’s so much to learn. Blending work and education requires commitment but I think it’s worth it. Having no student debt is a very nice benefit to doing an apprenticeship and having the uni experience is good, offering wider opportunities to socialise and get involved in uni life.

If you want to find out more about our Software For All campaign, visit the website:https://campaigns.workplus.app/software-for-all