13 Months into My Digital Product Apprenticeship

13 Months into My Digital Product Apprenticeship

I started my Digital Product Apprenticeship with NetMinded in September 2024, not long after finishing my History degree at the University of the West of England. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do next — I just knew I wanted a role that would challenge me and let me keep learning.

When I came across the idea of product management, it instantly caught my attention. After a bit of research (and a few YouTube videos!), I could really see myself in the role. What surprised me most was how much my History degree actually prepared me for this kind of work.

It turns out that many of the skills required to be a product manager — analysing information, understanding people, building narratives — are not so different from what I’d already been doing. A few examples:

• Critical thinking and analysis: Turning data and insights into smart, evidence-based decisions.
  
  

• Research and synthesis: Diving deep into a topic and pulling everything together into a clear strategy.
  
  

• Storytelling and communication: Explaining ideas in a way that makes sense to everyone involved.
  
  

• Seeing the bigger picture: Thinking about how today’s work fits into the longer-term vision.
  
  

• Empathy and understanding: Seeing things from someone else’s point of view — whether that is a user, a customer, or a team member.

• Working independently: Managing time, staying organised, and keeping projects moving.
  
  

Since joining NetMinded, I’ve been lucky to experience a whole new world of technology and data. Before this, I had no idea just how many people, roles, and moving parts go into building and launching a product. The saying “it takes a village” has never provenmore true!

Going to events like Big Data London, Channel Live, and Connected Britain has been especially inspiring. They’ve opened my eyes to what’s happening in the wider tech world — and given me a chance to meet people at all different stages in their careers.

Now, 13 months in, I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface of what product management really is. Over the next year, I want to keep learning from the brilliant team here, deepen my understanding of how products come to life, and build the confidence to take on bigger challenges.

It’s been an exciting start — and I can’t wait to see what year two brings!