Introducing: Etio T-Level Student, Isabella Lay

Hi, I’m Isabella Lay and I am currently studying in a T level in Business Management and Administration at SGS College. I have just started my 44-week industry placement with Etio, I am now on week 5. At the beginning, I felt quite nervous as it was a completely new experience, but I was also excited to get started.

My backstory:

During secondary school, I studied business and quickly realised how much I enjoyed it. However, for the future, I knew I wanted something more practical than traditional A-levels. I wanted to focus on business while also gaining real experience in a professional setting. That’s what drew me to T-levels, they offer a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience, which felt like the perfect balance for me. If I hadn’t been successful in my T-level application, I would have likely chosen business-related A-levels instead. I found my placement at Etio through the help and support of my college, Etio stood out as an interesting place to learn and grow so I submitted my CV.

Hopes and Ambitions for the Programme:

Throughout this programme, I’m hoping to develop my understanding of office tools and improve my communication skills in a professional environment. Personally, I’d like to become more confident in speaking to people, especially in a workplace setting, and get better at working in a team. This T-level is already helping me to think about my future, I am considering applying for an apprenticeship or continuing in the business field after college.

From my understanding, the government’s pathways to training and employment policy are designed to help young people move more smoothly from education to work. I feel like T-levels are a really great example of this as they provide a structured route into a real working environment whilst also not being too full on. For me, this has helped the transition feel a lot more manageable as it has opened opportunities that I may have not had otherwise. It has also given me more confidence about my future and the direction I want to take.

Overall although I still feel a bit nervous, I’m really excited about the journey ahead at Etio, I’m looking forward to learning new skills, gaining valuable experience, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

Read more from our three T-Level Ambassadors, including all of their introductions and hopes for the programme, on our Insights page.