What made you choose a cyber apprenticeship as a career route?

I’d always wanted to work in the computing field and cyber has always seemed like a great option. While I was going through university applications, I’d heard about degree apprenticeships being a good alternative. So, I did some research and realised that something more practical alongside academic studies would definitely suit me best.

What is your day-to-day role like?

Day-to-day is always shifting, but the constant focus is always on learning. Different placements provide opportunities to get hands on with current tech like networking devices, machine learning models and threat-hunting technologies. Placements provide an opportunity to really delve into a topic and you can always lean on the expertise of colleagues to supplement that research. Currently, I’m taking on more of a networking role in designing and implementing a new company network which is proving challenging but still fun.

Now that I’ve moved into my second year, I have taken on greater responsibility, partly due to my new role as STEM co-lead for the Bristol site. Managing STEM events and ensuring that everyone can get involved has been a challenge, but it’s always really rewarding.

What are the interesting projects you’ve worked on so far?

Looking back on my first year, I’ve had many opportunities to work on a wide range of projects. Among them has been developing a demo around how AI systems can be compromised and, conversely, how they can be secured. The project really piqued my interest and required me to improve upon and build new skills including programming, research techniques and even public speaking.

What has been the best thing about your cyber apprenticeship?

So far, I think the best thing has been the variety of different work that I’ve been exposed to. Being able to speak with and work alongside so many colleagues in various fields and disciplines has been fantastic. It’s really given me the opportunity to consider each department and how I might work within those teams. It is truly the best environment for me to consider my career going forward.

What has been your biggest achievement at Leonardo so far?

It was probably a presentation I delivered alongside another apprentice to the entire Bristol site. It covered the basics of Artificial Neural Networks and was quite possibly the most nerve-wracking experience I’ve ever had! Eventually overcoming that anxiety felt incredible, and as the presentation progressed, I began feeling more confident both in my knowledge and in myself. That experience has had a really positive impact on my public speaking ability and also in my self-confidence.

Would you recommend a cyber-based apprenticeship to people looking to take the first step in their cyber career?

Absolutely. It’s such a great first step into such a wide industry and gives insight into those different aspects that you might not have considered. It also provides an environment where you can learn from some of the very best and instantly apply that knowledge in the real world. Working at Leonardo is by far the best first step someone can take in a career in cyber.