Ben Snell

Choosing Coventry College

After completing Secondary School, Ben was eager to embark on a new chapter in his life. He chose Coventry College because it offered the exact course he was interested in – the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business. The college’s convenient location in the city centre and its reputation for quality education made it the ideal choice for Ben.

“Coventry College had the course I wanted and gave me a chance to try something new and meet new people following Secondary School,” Ben reflects. This decision was the beginning of a journey that would shape his future in more ways than one.

A Well-Rounded Educational Experience

At Coventry College, Ben found a supportive environment with excellent facilities and dedicated teachers. The course structure allowed him to balance his academic commitments with his personal life, giving him the flexibility to enjoy life outside of his studies. “I enjoyed attending Coventry College and found the facilities and teachers to be very good. The course gave me more time for my personal life outside of learning,” he recalls.

One of the key factors in Ben’s success was the encouragement he received from the college staff.

“The staff pushed me to go the extra mile, particularly as it was a BTEC, and I was able to improve grades to maximise the amount of UCAS points required to get the Apprenticeship I aspired to get,”

Ben explains. This personalised support and guidance were instrumental in helping him achieve his goals.

The Path to an Apprenticeship

Coventry College equipped Ben with the qualifications he needed to secure an Apprenticeship with the Royal Bank of Scotland, a critical step that set the foundation for his career. In this role, he trained to become a Business Analyst, a profession in which he has thrived for over a decade. “Coventry College set me up with a qualification that allowed me to get an Apprenticeship that set the foundation of my career, which I am still doing 12 years after leaving college,” Ben says proudly.

Ben’s decision to pursue an Apprenticeship rather than a traditional university degree has proven to be a wise one. It allowed him to gain practical experience in the business world while earning a living, all without the need for a university education. “This has allowed me to make a good living without the need to go to university, which I didn’t want to do,” he notes.

 Career Development

Since completing his Apprenticeship, Ben has continued to advance in his career. He now works as a Business Analyst for Corel, an IT consultancy specialising in SaaS for the energy market. Along the way, he has earned the prestigious BCS Diploma in Business Analysis. “I have achieved the BCS Diploma in Business Analysis consisting of four exams and a face-to-face interview. This is a difficult qualification, and I have been able to achieve this ahead of many colleagues much older and more experienced than myself,” Ben shares.

Looking ahead, Ben aims to continue learning and growing in the field of Business Analysis, while maintaining the work/life balance that is important to him.

Advice for Future Learners

Ben’s journey offers valuable lessons for current and prospective students. He emphasises the importance of carefully selecting a course that aligns with one’s interests and career aspirations.

“I would recommend thinking about what course you want to do and to attend an open day to discuss if this is something you are interested in and what jobs this could set you up for in the future. Acquiring a qualification will require you to self-organise and put effort in to get the best result possible for the next step in your journey.”