Where are they now? Rebekah Chaplin

Where are they now? Rebekah Chaplin

REBEKAH CHAPLIN won a packaging degree apprenticeship with Unilever after leaving RGS in 2025 following A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and design technology. She tells us about her work in the multi-national company’s beauty and wellbeing team which looks after brands such as Dove and Simple

An apprenticeship wasn't something I had really considered doing until sixth form when I started looking at my options.

I had applied to university separately to study medical engineering but was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the course much as I was more into the practical design and creative aspects of engineering rather than the maths focus a lot of the courses offered.

When looking for an apprenticeship there were very few that covered medical design and so, after researching packaging, I thought it matched my interest well and applied.

For me a typical day includes:

*Completing testing on a wide variety of mono-material pumps and discussing the results we get with suppliers as well as brand teams.

*Researching social trends for beauty packaging as well as creating our own content.

*Innovation projects for brands Sunsilk (hair care) and Simple (skin care)

*Creating prototypes on our wide range of 3D printers to help show plans for future projects.

I also go to careers fairs around my local area (Merseyside) to talk to students about apprenticeship options and Unilever.

One of the best bits of my job is getting to see projects that the team has worked on come to life and get to shop shelves for the consumers. It is very rewarding getting to see the physical output of all the hard work that the team puts in.

Whilst at RGS, I worked at my local small village shop. When I first started, I was incredibly quiet and found it very uncomfortable having to speak to people.

I worked at that shop for four years and it massively helped with my confidence, which allowed me to go into the interview process feeling calm and focused, which played a massive role in me getting the apprenticeship.

One thing that I wish that I knew during school was that there is no shame in changing your mind about your future.

I spent a very long time at school wanting to be a doctor and putting in a lot of effort so that I could make that future happen for me.

When I realised I had a stronger love for design and engineering I was worried people would think negatively of me for wanting a different career path and for wanting a degree apprenticeship instead of university.

But instead, people were really encouraging and only wanted what would make me happy.

I wish during my time at Ripon that I had believed in myself more. I was never particularly confident and although I hoped I would get the apprenticeship I didn't give myself enough praise for all the hard work I put into getting it.

My advice for current students is always be yourself!

Where are they now? Rebekah Chaplin