Degree Apprentice Dialogues: Maria Savage

“Challenging, purposeful, empowering.” That’s how 20-year-old Maria Savage describes her time at E.ON so far.

Maria is studying for a degree in Digital Marketing at Nottingham Trent University while also undertaking E.ON’s Digital Marketing degree apprenticeship.

We spoke to Maria about how she’s turning her passion for all things digital into her chosen academic and career path, and how she’s finding balancing work while studying.

Why did you choose to work at E.ON?

I chose to work at E.ON because of its strong focus on sustainability and innovation in the energy sector, as well as the incredible support it offers to young talent.

I was particularly drawn to the unique structure of the degree apprenticeship, where every six months you rotate through different business areas. This gives me valuable exposure to a wide range of functions, especially in digital marketing, which will help me build a well-rounded skill set.

Why did you choose the specific scheme you’re on?

I’ve always been really keen on the idea of studying and working in the world of digital marketing, due to managing my own social media pages where I create digital content focused on health and fitness.

Due to the success of this, and genuine enjoyment of creating content, working with large brands, developing my own social strategies and dipping into paid ads, I decided to choose it as a degree and as a career.

What are the elements you enjoy the most about your time at E.ON so far?

I really enjoy the opportunity to rotate around teams every six months as it allows me to gain exposure and experience to different areas of marketing. Each new role presents fresh challenges and learning opportunities, contributing to a cycle of continuous improvement and impact. 

I also love being part of a really positive community at E.ON and being around like-minded degree apprentices – even if we’re on different schemes.

What are the key things you have learned from your time at E.ON?

I’ve developed a lot of workplace skills, such as how to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to complex, real-world business challenges. I’m also now confident managing projects, having worked with cross-functional teams, gaining experience in managing timelines, deliverables and stakeholder expectations. And I’ve also gained specific skills related to my digital marketing course.

By doing a degree at the same time as working, I‘ve been able to bridge gaps in my learning and apply theories to real-life projects, which has been extremely beneficial for my development.

What advice would you give to someone considering a degree apprenticeship?

Go for it! It’s a fantastic opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.

Be yourself and stay true to what excites you – this is your chance to blend learning with real-world experience in a way that traditional university students can’t.

And appreciate the doors it opens, whether it’s building relationships, gaining skills or discovering new areas of interest you never thought of before.

But also be ready to work hard! It’s not always easy balancing work and study, but if you embrace the challenges, you'll come out the other side with so much more than just a degree, you’ll have real-life experience that will set you apart.

How have you found the experience of working while studying?

Working while studying has definitely been a balancing act, especially as I also juggle other commitments, like being an athlete.

Time management can often be hard, and there are moments when it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day to do everything. However, it’s taught me to be incredibly organised and disciplined in managing my time.

What’s made it easier is the amazing support I’ve received — both from my university cohort and from everyone at E.ON. My colleagues at E.ON are really understanding and flexible – something which I am so grateful for.

To find out more about E.ON's degree apprenticeship schemes, click here.