Case Studies Girls
Take inspiration from these females in cyber roles and discover their career journeys so far…
Neriah – Capgemini
Business Technology Consultant
Neriah shares her experience working as a Business Technology Consultant at Capgemini, offering a glimpse into what a career in cyber looks like at one of the world’s leading tech consultancies.
Matilda – Leonardo Cyber
Security Degree Apprenticeship
Matilda talks about her journey as a Cyber Security Degree Apprentice at Leonardo, combining hands-on industry experience with academic study in the defence and security sector.
Sarah – Nationwide
Junior Cyber Security Consultant
Sarah discusses her role as a Junior Cyber Security Consultant at Nationwide, sharing what it’s like to start a cyber career within a major financial services organisation.
Olivia – Jaguar Land Rover
Digital Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship
Meet Olivia whose cyber career pathway started when she attended her first Unlock Cyber event at 12 years old.
I left school in Bristol after completing A-levels including Computer Science. My fascination in Cyber began in Year 8 when I took part in the Unlock Cyber Challenge. From there my interest grew and I got involved in lots of different cyber activities including CyberFirst.
In my final year I attended the Unlock Cyber Careers Events as I knew this was the career path I wanted to follow. After this I successfully applied to join the Jaguar Land Rover Degree Apprenticeship Scheme.
I am currently working as a Digital Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticein software engineering with JLR and Warwick University.
My schedule consists of working for 4 days (flexible working in office/at home) with one day each week for study. Every three weeks I have 3 university days full of lectures instead of working. Having a study day each week allows me to catch up on university assignments/study.
At first, my time at work was spent learning different softwares used by JLR, however I have recently moved on to assisting with testing the software for different terrain response systems.
So far, on top of what I have experienced within my team, I have had the opportunity to attend an induction week at the Silverstonecircuit, a software expo -which gave me the chance to network with individuals across different industries, and experience an off-road test drive in one of the company’s (yet to be released) vehicles, all in the first 2 months!
Rowan – EDF Nuclear Services
Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship
I’ve always been interested in science and computing, but for a long time I wasn’t sure what I actually wanted to do. After finishing my A-Levels, I felt a bit lost and overwhelmed trying to decide on a career. I didn’t enjoy exams much, and I knew I wanted to do something where I could start applying real skills. University on its own didn’t feel quite right for me.
While exploring my options, I came across cyber security degree apprenticeships. The idea of studying for a degree while gaining real work experience was really appealing. I applied for a few apprenticeships alongside my UCAS applications and was lucky enough to be offered a place on EDF’s Cyber Security Apprenticeship. When I was given the choice between working in IT or in the nuclear part of the business, I chose nuclear as it felt like the perfect mix of my interests in physics and computer science.
I started my apprenticeship in 2022 and I’m now in the final stages of both the programme and my degree. I work full time as part of a cyber security team, which means my days are always varied. The area that I’ve been able to specialise in is Instrumentation and Control, which focuses on the sensors, motors, valves and computer systems that monitor and control power stations. Some days I’m in meetings or working on documentation, and other days I’m out on site at Hinkley Point C, working with engineers and systems specialists.
Over the past three years, I’ve had the chance to contribute to real, high-impact projects, including the design and cyber security assessments of systems as well as the cyber assurance of our complex supply chain companies. It’s been incredible to be involved in work with real-world relevance.
I’ve also had opportunities to attend industry events like the Women in Nuclear Conference and the Insititute of Engineering Technology’s Cyber Security Conference. These experiences have helped me learn from professionals across the sector and grow my own network.
For one week each month, I have attended lectures and practical lab sessions run by UWE Bristol and Gloucestershire College to gain my degree. The academic side has been valuable it’s helped me build a strong foundation in various areas such as networking, programming, cryptography, and security fundamentals, all of which link directly to my work.
My dissertation, focused on Encryption for Safety-Critical Systems was an amazing opportunity to do interesting research. With influences from my workplace, the project has real-world value and it’s been exciting to see how my research can contribute to the field.
The apprenticeship has been a life-changing experience. It’s allowed me to grow both technically and personally, while giving me a clear sense of direction for my career. I’ve met inspiring people, gained professional qualifications, and built a solid foundation for the future. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me next.
