Finance Apprentice

Max’s Story - Finding My Place in Finance

Starting Out on a Different Path

When I left sixth form, I knew I wasn’t going to university. I was one of only a handful of people in my year who chose a different route, but it felt right. I wanted to work, learn and build experience straight away. My first apprenticeship, though, didn’t give me the support I needed. The team was small, and I often felt like I was figuring things out on my own. After taking a temporary job, I knew I still wanted an apprenticeship; I just needed to find the right environment.

That search led me to Fidelity. I liked the idea of joining a big company where the support structure was already in place, and the role itself genuinely interested me. A mix of finance, people skills and real responsibility. It felt like the perfect place to try again.

Settling In and Finding My Confidence

From the moment I joined, things felt different. My line manager made sure I had everything I needed, and the team were always willing to help. Even the assessment centre had been interactive and encouraging rather than intimidating. It felt like a chance to show who I was rather than just answer questions.

Adapting to the industry wasn’t as daunting as I’d expected because the support was constant. Any gaps in my knowledge were filled quickly, not by pressure, but by guidance. Bit by bit, I began to understand the role, the systems and the business.

Learning, Growing and Getting Stuck In

Balancing my apprenticeship studies with the day‑to‑day workload was one of the toughest parts. It wasn’t overwhelming at the start as it built up gradually, but staying motivated with coursework after long days took effort. Still, as things started falling into place and I understood more about how everything worked, I began to enjoy the challenge.

Even when tasks were repetitive, I loved working with financial advisers and helping them navigate their queries. Supporting everyone from huge firms to small independent advisers exposed me to so many different perspectives. At a young age, I found myself learning more about the finance industry, and business in general, than I ever expected.

Being Part of a Team That Works Together

My team is tight‑knit and collaborative. You start with simpler tasks, but as you build confidence and skills, you’re trusted with more complex queries. We work closely with a lot of stakeholders and advisers, so teamwork really matters. That sense of belonging, knowing people rely on you and you can rely on them, made a huge difference.

Growing Into the Role

Looking back, the skill that’s helped me most wasn’t something I learned in the classroom, it was the people skills I developed growing up and through school. As my confidence grew, so did my ability to communicate, network and handle conversations with advisers.

Before joining Fidelity, I assumed finance would be all maths and quite intimidating. But I don’t use any maths in my role, and the environment is far more supportive than I expected, especially for someone starting their career so young.

My Advice for Anyone Considering This Path

Do your research, understand what you're applying for, and make the most of the resources around you. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to jump in at the deep end. The support is there to catch you, just like it did for me.