Cameron Clancy
Graduate Software Development Apprentice, JPMorganChase
For Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we’re showcasing the people building their careers through apprenticeships across Scotland’s financial services industry.
Cameron Clancy is a third-year Graduate Software Development Apprentice at JPMorganChase in Glasgow. Having joined straight from school, Cameron has spent the past three years combining university study with hands-on experience at one of the world’s leading financial services firms.
His experience demonstrates how apprenticeships can provide the best of both worlds: the opportunity to gain a degree, develop practical skills and build a career from an early age. We caught up with Cameron to hear more about his journey, the opportunities he’s been given and his advice for anyone considering an apprenticeship.
What first attracted you to an apprenticeship, and what made you choose this route over other options such as going to university or straight into employment?
I was always drawn to an apprenticeship, especially after undertaking my first part-time job. I loved working hands on and learning while I was there I've always grasped concepts more easily by getting stuck into something head-first and learning from people with real experience in the industry. The key factor that attracted me to having an apprenticeship was the clear career path offered at a young age, it almost felt like a 4 year head start!. The apprenticeship route allowed me to complete a full university course and gain exposure to the working world, so I’d come out the other end with both the qualification and real industry experience under my belt, this was the massive selling point for me. I believed the apprenticeship scheme within JPMorganChase offered a fantastic opportunity with a massive company that can open many avenues to explore in the future wherever that may lead me.
Can you tell us a bit about what your apprenticeship involves day to day? How do you balance learning new skills with gaining practical experience in the workplace?
My week is split between working in the office Monday to Thursday and a university day on a Friday. The university side gives you a lot of freedom and responsibility, each term you cover a number of modules, and it's really down to you to manage your time and get the work done within that period. To help with this, you're assigned a learning advisor whose role isn't just to support you with any university issues, but to help link what you're doing day-to-day in your role to what you're studying, which I've found really valuable over my time studying. On the Monday-to-Thursday side, being able to learn in such a supportive environment while actually tackling real world problems is incredibly rewarding , it's that combination of structured study and hands-on application that makes the balance work so well.
What have been the most important skills or experiences you've gained during your apprenticeship, and how have these helped you develop professionally and personally?
Technically, I've gained a huge amount within software engineering. Starting right from the basics and progressing to a point where I'm now comfortable working across a number of different languages. But for me personally, it's the soft skills that have improved the most. My communication, confidence and presentation skills are tenfold what they were before I started. I've had constant opportunities to present my work to product owners, and I've even had the chance to lead internal presentations, something I'd have avoided given the choice before starting here. On top of that, university has taught me a huge amount about learning independently, the way the course is structured really encourages you to take ownership of your own development, and that's a skill I know will stay with me well beyond the apprenticeship itself.
Has your apprenticeship challenged any assumptions you previously had about the industry or the opportunities available to you?
In all honesty, coming straight from school with only basic computing classes behind me, I didn't really have a strong expectation of what the software engineering industry would be like. What first put it on my radar was a talk at school about apprenticeships, with a workshop featuring a few presenters, one of whom was from JPMorganChase. He'd actually gone to my school and was now progressing really well, and I liked the look of the path he'd taken. In terms of the reality, I honestly couldn't be more positive. The support throughout my time here has been unbelievable, and starting three years ago from a completely blank slate, I can confidently say I'm still learning something new every day on the job growing not just in my professional career, but as a person too.
What support have you received from your employer, colleagues or mentors, and how has this helped you settle into the workplace and progress in your career?
I'm so grateful to have a small team around me who genuinely appreciate my role as an apprentice and constantly push me on to the next level. I've been really fortunate with a great manager and a team of specific mentors. My manager's willingness to spend time with a junior developer doesn't go unnoticed, and it's been incredibly beneficial to my development. Within my first year, I also had the opportunity to work alongside an apprentice in the year above, who really helped show me the ropes both at work and at university, having been through the exact same experience just a year before me. Shortly after, I got to come full circle myself, being paired with a new apprentice joining the team and passing down the same knowledge, tips and tricks that had helped me, to the next wave of apprentices.
What would you say to someone considering an apprenticeship, and what is something you wish you had known before starting yours?
My main piece of advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is that it gives you an experience unlike anything else. From the interview process right the way through to actually working in the industry, you also get to experience the university side of things too, so if you're someone who doesn't want to miss out on that university life, there's a brilliant balance of both! On top of that, you get the security of a job and a real career path alongside your studies, which is a huge advantage. One thing I'd really recommend is to ask questions, to everyone and anyone. You'd be surprised how much knowledge you pick up just by asking, and no question is ever too simple. There's no such thing as a stupid question, so don't be afraid to ask it!
Cameron’s experience highlights the value of apprenticeships in opening doors to rewarding careers, giving people the opportunity to learn, gain practical experience and develop the confidence to take on new challenges.
His advice is simple: be curious, ask questions and make the most of the opportunities around you. You don't need to have all the answers when you start – the important thing is being willing to learn.
For anyone interested in following a similar path, JPMorganChase’s apprenticeship scheme will open for applications in January 2027, offering another opportunity to start a career in financial services while gaining valuable qualifications and workplace experience.
Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities and the different routes into Scotland’s financial services industry through getinto.finance.