I have always had a keen interest in computers. My father studied Computer Science, so I remember always having computers around the house and discussing technology with him. I was given my first computer in 1998. I loved to see what settings I could change on the operating system (Windows 95 at the time) and how I could manipulate the computer into doing what I wanted it to do. Around this time, I also started to learn my first computer language, writing very basic HTML in Notepad.
In my teens however my passion for technology and computers took a back foot and I ended up in the military, where I spent several years in an IT-related role. After completing my time in the military, I worked at a charity, where I was responsible for networking, installations, and systems security. However, when the charity closed, I was left with no formal certifications to prove my abilities. I found this to be my undoing when applying for new jobs and going for interviews.
After 10 years self-employed, in 2019 I mentioned to a friend that I wanted to get into cyber. My experience in the military meant that I was leaning more towards computer security – how we can protect organisations and the country from potential attacks. He persuaded me to start looking for courses, and this is how my journey at Cardiff Met started.
In August 2019 I applied to the BSc in Computer Security. As I had been out of education for a long time, I had to start with a Foundation year. I jumped at the opportunity, and in September of the same year I began to study at Cardiff Met.
After successfully completing the Foundation, my first year on the Computer Security course started in September 2020. We were still at the height of the pandemic, and I only attended the freshly opened Technologies building four times before our course moved entirely online. Online learning is not my preference, but I was committed – computer security had become my passion. The support from the university was brilliant and the lecturers were always on hand to guide me through each process.
Ultimately my first year on the course ended on a high, as I was offered a place with the Welsh branch of the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group. Cardiff Met is one of a handful of universities whose students can apply for a position within the NCRCG student services programme. The programme is a collaboration between government, law enforcement and academia to provide cyber services to micro-sized businesses and SMEs. These companies would struggle to afford their own dedicated security team, so they come to the Centre for advice and support. Students get relevant training and then provide these vital services with the backing of cyber professionals.
This wasn’t the only highlight from my first year on the course. Cardiff Met is an academic partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security, and in summer 2021, I was very proud to discover that my Programme Director had nominated me for Student of the Year. The award has since meant I’ve been able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspirational cyber security professionals in the country.
In my second year, I started working as a Student Coach within the School of Technologies. I like to think of this position as a big brother/sister role. Some students may feel a little apprehensive about approaching the academics to ask for assistance, so they can come to us. Student Coaches are usually in their second or third year and have already undertaken modules that others are completing, so we can help academically. But we are also a friendly familiar face within the School. We can give guidance on a range of things, and if we can’t provide the support that is needed, we know where to direct students for further assistance.
Since starting, my role has developed further from just providing academic support. I was given the opportunity to develop social activities to bring students together. One of my ideas was a geocaching event where students answer questions and navigate through the campus to find locations and earn points, with the potential to win prizes. After a few runs with current students, we have since started pushing this event out to Open Day attendees. This gives potential tech students an interactive tour of the University, and just goes to show the freedom we have to run with our ideas here.
Lastly, Cardiff Met is one of only nine universities that run a National Cyber Security Centre-accredited degree (provisionally until the first cohort graduates in 2022). This shows employers that I have undertaken a government backed degree course, but it also comes with extra perks. In spring 2022, myself and two other Cardiff Met students spent three days in Manchester at an NCSC innovation challenge event. We worked with teams from other UK universities to try and address some of the challenges facing the industry today. It was a brilliant opportunity to network and meet some of the leading cyber security experts in the country.
I can honestly say that since joining Cardiff Met I have not regretted my decision once. I have been given opportunities that I had never even imagined when enrolling and met some incredibly inspirational individuals. It has also meant a change in my career goals. I now strive to work within higher education and help shape the future of HE students.
