Orlagh Zielinski

Orlagh is a degree apprentice, working as a trainee cyber security analyst

Degree apprentice

I get the best of both worlds – hands-on work experience and a 4-year university degree in cyber security. These apprenticeships are run by the Cabinet Office. We get placed in different government organisations. I wanted to move to Leeds, so I got to work here.

My interest in cyber as a career came from studying computer science at school. I was one of only 2 girls in my A-level class.

My female computer science teacher was a big inspiration to me. She showed us how to follow our dreams to succeed in what we desired and not let anything get in the way.

Role models are so important to changing perceptions. It takes a lot of self-motivation to push the boundaries, but it’s so satisfying when you succeed and achieve what you set out to do by believing in yourself. Naturally, it was daunting starting work straight out of school at only 18, but the team here have been incredibly supportive. Everyone was so friendly and helpful from the start.

I enjoy working in cyber. It keeps you on your toes every day. Technology plays such a big role in our lives; we’re becoming more and more reliant on it in everything we do but there are ever-evolving threats and we are doing our bit to protect society.