Episode 31: Apprenticeships, wellness, and career pathways

Apprenticeships, wellness, and career pathwaysIn the latest Chartered Accountants Global Update, three very different stories come together around one powerful idea: small, deliberate choices can shape both our careers and our wellbeing.The first is the inspiring journey of Jaspreet Rayat, who qualified as a chartered accountant through an apprenticeship rather than a traditional university route. With no professional role models to guide her, Jaspreet built her own pathway through research, networking and persistence, supported by ICAEW. Today, she is passionate about making alternative entry routes into the profession more visible for young people who may not realise these opportunities exist.Her story was shaped in part by attending One Young World, where a message from Bob Geldof stood out: “grit makes the pearl.” It is a reminder that progress does not depend on perfect conditions, but on consistent effort.The episode then turns to a topic many professionals can relate to during the darker months – the winter blues. Conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder affect a significant number of people, with guidance and awareness supported by organisations such as the Health Service Executive. Simple habits – daylight exposure, movement, connection and sleep routines – can make a genuine difference.Finally, the update explores the four “happy hormones” – serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins – and how everyday actions like small goal-setting, exercise and social connection can actively support them.Together, these stories from Chartered Accountants Worldwide show that whether you are building a career or protecting your wellbeing, it is the small, practical steps taken consistently that create lasting change.