Heya people.

I would really love to share with you my experience of taking part in this year’s National Apprentice Challenge representing my lovely University of Manchester. Event was hosted by Centre for Applied Learning and Aston University in Birmingham.

NAC is is the largest residential competition for creative and ambitious students in The UK. In teams of four, students with a wide-range of backgrounds go through an all-expenses-paid residential programme filled with exciting practical challenges. 200 applied, 19 were chosen for the finals aaaaandd… I got 3rd with the help of my wonderful team. So, how was it? Let’s see.

Day 1: 

We safely arrived to Birmingham after catching a train from Manchester at early 8-30 in the morning. All the teams were invited to the big hall, where first task was announced - creating a new business idea for the Next Social Network, and pitching it to the judges in 3 minutes, no powerpoint included. 

I won’t be talking about the details of our idea, but the pitch itself and the concept was appreciated by the judges and we were first in Task 1. We also decided to provide them with actual market research, so we went out on the streets and asked random strangers to share their views on our idea! (how cool??)

It was a really nice day as we had a chance to network with 75 other ambitious young people from all over the UK, have a drink all together and, later at night, check out some of Birmingham’s night spots (we went to Pitcher & Piano). 

Organizers of the competition provided a great 4* hotel for us in the city centre, breakfasts included (YUM, who doesn’t like hotel breakfast?!) - thanks for that!

Day 2: 

Hard morning that was for me, huh. We finished last night’s dancing at around 2am and had to rise & shine at 8!………….