IT’ S OK NOT TO KNOW YET
YOU DON’ T HAVE TO MOVE AWAY TO BUILD A BRILLIANT FUTURE.
BUT YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
H ey everyone, I’ m Shane – I’ m 23 and currently doing an admin apprenticeship with Resolution, the team behind Tees Skills. A few years ago, I was exactly where you are now – trying to figure out what to do next, feeling like I had to have it all sorted.
Spoiler alert: I didn’ t.
I started university because I thought that’ s what I was“ meant” to do. But after a while, it just wasn’ t right for me. I dropped out, worked at McDonald’ s for a bit, and honestly? That time helped me learn a lot about myself – what I liked, what I didn’ t and what kind of job I wanted. Eventually, I found my way back through this apprenticeship with Resolution and Middlesbrough College – and I’ ve never looked back.
If I could give you one bit of advice, it’ s this: if you don’ t know what you want to do yet, that’ s completely normal. Trying different things, making mistakes, even failing – that’ s all part of the journey. Every step teaches you something that helps you grow, and that panic starts to fade.
The truth is, there are so many opportunities right here on Teesside – from apprenticeships and college courses to exciting careers in tech, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and more.
You don’ t have to move away to build a brilliant future.
Tees Skills is here to show you just a few of the amazing paths you can take – right here on your doorstep. Your journey starts here.
Shane Hopson Admin apprentice Resolution Media and Publishing Publishers of Tees Skills
Executive editors: Dave Allan and Martin Walker
Senior Writer: Dave Robson
Contributors: Rob Boville, Julie Burniston, Bob Makin, Claire Preston, Neeraj Sharma, Millie Smith
Photographers: Tom Banks, Chris Booth
Client liaison: Shane Hopson, Millie Smith
Sales: Chris Garbutt Design: Sarah Carlton, KINSHIP
Tees Skills is published by Resolution Media and Publishing
Resolution is the creator of established publications Tees Business and This Is Tees Valley, as well as being the organiser of Tees Business Awards, Tees Businesswomen Awards, Tees Tech Awards and VelociTees.
Address: Plenary BV House, Queens Square, Middlesbrough, TS2 1PA
T: 01642 450255 E: info @ resolutionpublishing. co. uk
Front cover photo by Chris Booth, showing Stockton Riverside College students Rhylee Holdsworth( aviation), Rosie Carter( maintenance operations) and Eve Cooley( performing arts).
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