Ishraq

Product Design & Development Engineer | Degree Apprentice at University of Greenwich

Meet Ishraq

1. What's your name and where are you from?

Hi! I’m Ishraq, and I’m from Tower Hamlets, London.

2. What apprenticeship are you doing?

I’m doing a Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer degree apprenticeship an automotive company. Right now, I’m in my second year of a four-year programme.

3. What uni are you studying at, and what will you get at the end?

I’m studying at the University of Greenwich, working towards a foundation degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Engineering Technology.

Life as an Apprentice

4. What’s your current role?

Right now, I’m working with the Programme Management team. Before that, I was with the Vehicle Integration team, helping improve quality and efficiency for upcoming vehicles.

5. What are your hours like, and how's the work/study balance?

I work 37.5 hours a week, with 20% of that focused on study. I usually go into the office two to three days a week, using hybrid working to keep a good balance.

6. What's your day-to-day like?

Every day is different! It can be anything from attending project meetings to hands-on work like testing vehicles or finding ways to improve efficiency. It keeps things exciting!

7. What's been your favourite moment so far?

Being driven around a high-speed test track and experiencing different vehicles – plus, I got free tickets to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. That was amazing!

8. What’s been the hardest part of your apprenticeship?

Balancing work and uni during Ramadan was tough. I had to manage exams, work and my religious commitments. Planning ahead and communicating with my supervisor really helped.

The Journey to Get Here

9. What are the best skills you've learned?

Communication, teamwork and critical thinking are some of the big ones. They’ve made me more confident in my role as an engineer.

10. Why did you choose an apprenticeship over uni?

I wanted a degree without the student debt and a chance to gain practical experience. As an engineer, hands-on experience is key, and this apprenticeship gave me just that.

Finding an Apprenticeship

11. How easy was it to find an apprenticeship?

Honestly, it was tricky. My sixth form didn’t know much about apprenticeships, so I had to do a lot of research on my own.

12. How many apprenticeships did you apply for?

I only applied for one! I was very selective and focused on showcasing my experiences and passion, which paid off.

13. What was the hardest part of applying?

Finding apprenticeship opportunities while juggling A-levels was tough. Preparing for interviews by gathering all my experiences helped me stand out.

14. What qualities helped you land your apprenticeship?

Definitely my passion for engineering, as well as skills I already had – like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Being well-prepared made a huge difference too!

Ishraq's Top Tips for You

15. What's one thing you wish you'd known before starting?

The perks! I didn’t realise apprentices get discounts and other cool benefits. Oh, and learning how to budget properly would've been useful.

16. What three things would you say to anyone thinking about an apprenticeship?

Manage your time – stay well-organised and disciplined. Also, things don’t always go your way – don’t dwell on it too long, focus on what’s in your control instead. And don’t burn out – take lots of breaks and don’t let work overwhelm you.

17. Has working life brought any surprises?

Budgeting! This is my first paid job, so I didn’t know much about managing my personal finances. Keeping on top of your money is important, as well as having some awareness of stuff like tax and pensions – boring as it sounds.

Fun Stuff!

18. What’s your standard work lunch?

To be honest, I like to slob out on fish, chips, and beans on Fridays from the canteen at work, followed by chocolate cake and custard – it’s the best!

19. What do you like to do outside of work?

I love hanging out with my friends and playing football. It’s the best way to unwind after a busy day.

20. What are you currently watching or reading?

I’m re-reading the Harry Potter series (always a classic) and watching ‘Peaky Blinders’ for the fourth time. But my all-time fave show is something you probably heard of – ‘Ertuğrul’, which is a Turkish historical drama!