“When COVID-19 forced the leisure industry into lockdown I started looking into other options for a sector that would be more resilient”: How Frank made the transition from his career as a Personal Trainer and broke into the Cyber Security industry.”
Frank is another Specialists Hub apprentice who has kindly agreed to give us some insider details on his apprenticeship, motivations, and aspirations. Being completely new to the world of Cyber, and starting from scratch, Frank shares his insights on how he dealt with the mass of new information, exam anxiety, and picking up Cyber-speak.
What made you want to change your career from PT to the Cyber industry?
I have been a PT since 2003 and while I love the industry there comes a time when you need a new challenge. The leisure industry does not have as much room for progression or variety in job roles as the Cyber industry does. When COVID-19 forced the leisure industry into lockdown I started looking into other options for a sector that would be more resilient. When I found the Cyber security apprenticeship scheme, I thought that it would be a great opportunity to change career and enter the industry whilst receiving support with training.
What do your day-to-day duties look like at work?
iCloud is a micro-business providing governance reviews to charities via their website www.thedigiboard.co.uk. Due to being a small team, the focus has been on the business start-up and securing sales of their provision. As an apprentice at iCloud Ltd, I have been charged with applying the knowledge gained from my studies to their business operations. I have been working my way through the CompTIA ITF+ certification, watching workshops and researching Cyber Security via Pluralsight and attending The Specialists Hub masterclasses. As a result of the training and knowledge, I have created, agreed, and implemented policies and procedures at iCloud to enhance their security.
What is the best / most enjoyable part of the apprenticeship for you?
I have learnt so much since starting the apprenticeship, and I’ve enjoyed researching the various subjects. Having the ability to access other platforms like Pluralsight to watch presentations has helped to improve my knowledge further.
To what extent do you feel that your apprenticeship is assisting with the progression of your career?
As this is a total career change for me, the volume of information can feel a bit overwhelming! At times it is like learning a whole new language, but the masterclass sessions help you to pick up the lingo. The qualification that I gain through this apprenticeship will enable me to enter the Cyber industry with a recognised certification and hopefully lead to a long and successful career.
Can you outline a time when The Specialists Hub have supported you during your apprenticeship?
I was feeling a bit anxious about an upcoming exam on Risk Assessment. I arranged a meeting with Len, and he suggested doing a mock exam just to establish whether I needed some extra time to revise or more support with training. Len was confident that I would be able to pass and took the time to discuss what further help I may need in future. As it turned out, I passed the mock and passed the real exam shortly after.
Any words of advice for others who may be wanting to break into the Cyber industry or considering an apprenticeship?
If you’re considering a change in career, then apprenticeships are a great way to have support and guidance while you complete a qualification in a working environment. There is an increasing focus on Cyber Security for individuals, businesses, and technology so there is plenty of scope for future employment in this industry.