We catch up with Zone’s first-ever apprentices, Cheyenne and Max, after they completed their apprenticeships…
Meet Cheyenne:
Job role: Junior studio developer
Age: 20
If you were an animal, what would you be? I’d be a cat — they’re independent and love to explore new places and take risks.
Favourite food: My secret obsession with the cookie sandwiches at Mrs Potts Chocolate House in Bristol and Bath.
Meet Max:
Job role: Junior developer
Age: 28
If you were an animal, what would you be? I’d be a sea turtle — shy, intelligent and roaming free around the ocean.
Favourite food: Absolutely love Thai food.
Can you tell us about the format of your apprenticeship? What’s it been like over the past 18 months?
Cheyenne: We started the apprenticeship working on each of our projects four days a week — I worked with the Genomics England team. I met some amazing and talented people here, from developers like me, to testers, designers, project managers and more. These days were based in the office, which was Bristol for us. Then every Friday I would work from home, focusing on learning code using tutorials online and starting up some apprenticeship projects.
Around four months in, everybody switched to working from home entirely, which was totally unexpected, but I think we’ve done pretty well in these circumstances. It’s been difficult not having team members around and next to us to help out, but I feel like I’ve gained some independence skills from this. I feel very lucky to have met a lot of people from the office before going remote. The apprenticeship as a whole has been great. I know so much more than I did at the beginning. I’m looking to keep learning and working as a developer to build on that knowledge and get to know new technologies for years to come.
Max: I followed the same format as Cheyenne primarily but a little more around my work structure. I started my journey on the BMW client group, primarily coding responsive emails and banners for Retailers throughout the UK for their campaigns.
I then moved onto Genomics England, which was transitioning from paper referrals to completely electronic using React, Redux & Hooks. It was a very fun and exciting project to work on and helped grow my skills as a developer.
I then moved onto Electrolux where I still currently reside working with Vue & Episerver on their e-commerce site.
The apprenticeship itself was fairly flexible, with one day a week for study. We documented all significant work activities for marking in the endpoint assessment and had two instances of a week period to learn and undertake the vendor exams.
What were your qualifications before this? What were your previous jobs before you decided to do an apprenticeship?
Cheyenne: I joined Zone almost straight from college, where I studied ICT, German and English Literature and Language A-levels. Before that I passed all of my GCSEs with equivalent to a B grade, except for ICT where I earned an A. Job-wise, I worked in retail before joining Zone. If you visited B&Q Longwell Green for some bathroom or kitchen renovating, I may have designed your room for you using the 3D technology! Going back to 2016 I worked in a clothes store for a year, and a while before that I was taken on as an accountant assistant at just 15 years old after completing work experience there.
Max: I joined Zone from working at MSI Reproductive Choices. My coding experience prior to working was all self-taught in my spare time with free code camp, the Odin project and some small applications. Fun fact: I’m also a qualified locksmith and used to work as one.
What was the application process like? Any advice to applicants?
Cheyenne: I applied to Zone through a job website. I sent them my CV and I was contacted soon afterwards with an interview offer. I was invited to a day at the Zone office, which included meeting other applicants, Zone teams, completing exercises, having lunch and completing an interview. This was such a great way to get a feel of the workplace at Zone to see if it was where I wanted to work, and straight away I felt like Zone was the right place for me. They also got an idea of what we were all like through a whole day, not just an hour or two. There were about 10 applicants there for the day and I was so lucky to be one of the chosen three. Fun fact: I cancelled my holiday to Torquay so I could attend the interview!
Max: It was the same for me as Cheyenne, apart from I didn’t have to cancel any holidays!
Best thing about Zone?
Cheyenne: The people are the best thing for me. Everyone is willing to help you and are always up for a chat. Zone is really sociable so there’s always events to look forward to, whether it’s a party or just heading down to the pub after work.
Max: I wholeheartedly agree with Cheyenne’s sentiment. The people at Zone are the absolute best aspect of working here. Helpful, inclusive and kind are just a few words to describe the amazing people that compose the Zone family.
What have been your favourite projects you’ve worked on?
Cheyenne: I have worked on two projects at Zone — Genomics and currently BMW. They have both been so much fun. But BMW is the project I am now focusing on to progress in my career, working on building emails and banners and broadening my experience by using different tools and frameworks.
Max: I have enjoyed all three projects as they’ve brought new learning and skills on each client group. I think the most meaningful thing is to see how far you can really improve within 18 months with a great environment to work in with amazing people.
Unexpected skills you’ve picked up?
Cheyenne: Everything! When I came to Zone, I hadn’t even heard of most of the things I use now. I’ve learned so much from coding language, frameworks, tools, ways of working and more. I feel like my time at Zone has been really beneficial to me so far and I’m super excited to learn more.
Max: Google-fu — the absolute key to working as a developer is the ability to ask the right questions to find the right answers.
You’re staying with us — congrats! What are your plans for the future?
Cheyenne: I am now a junior studio developer continuing my work in BMW! Alongside this I am going to be completing objectives to work my way up to the next level — web developer.
Max: I am working as a junior front-end developer — I’m currently attempting to learn C# to hopefully round off my skills and venture more toward full stack!
We need you!
Zone’s apprenticeship scheme is back and bigger than ever before! We’re looking for our next set of future stars across multiple disciplines including tech, delivery and design. We’ll be hiring twelve new apprentices in September.
Our deadline is 28th August, so don’t delay — apply today!
Check out our roles here:
Delivery Coordinator Operations
Experience Design Apprentice (Bristol)
