Meet Ellie, 21, to find out more about life as a cyber security apprentice at Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Ellie
I'm Ellie. I'm 21 years old and I'm a cyber security apprentice at Sellafield nuclear site. Cyber security is about keeping people safe online. The threats that people have online can be from emails that contain links to viruses up to hacking. The element of cyber security that I'm interested in is all about educating users about how to stay safe online and this is through writing standards and policies. The standards and policies that I write are there to inform employees what to do if they receive an email with a link that has viruses on that may hack into the system, which means that they're staying safe online and within the network.
While at school, I really enjoyed English Language and English Literature. Because of this, I pursued them at A-level. So, after A-levels, I went to university for a year doing English Language and I realised it wasn't for me. So I did a bit of job searching and I found this apprenticeship.
After I found the apprenticeship on a job website, I wasn't too sure that I'd enjoy it, because I wasn't very passionate about IT at school. But then I soon learnt that cyber security is different to IT and there's so much more to it. When I started the apprenticeship, I found there are a lot of challenges as I didn't have previous knowledge. I overcame this by applying myself and, through lots of hard work, I'm now reaping the benefits two years later.
I enjoy my apprenticeship because the industry itself is very dynamic, so it's forever changing and I'm always learning new skills and in the future there's going to be even more of a need for people working within cyber security. There is a constant cyber threat at Sellafield nuclear site and I feel proud knowing that I'm helping protect over 10,000 employees on site.
There's a constant security threat at Sellafield and I feel proud knowing that I am protecting over 10,000 employees on site.
- Ellie works in cyber security for Energus, keeping people safe online. The threats can be everything from emails that contain links to viruses, up to hacking. She is based at Sellafield nuclear site and helps educate Sellafield employees to stay safe online
- At school, Ellie enjoyed English and went on to study English Language at university, but she left after one year as it wasn't for her
- She then found her cyber security apprenticeship on a job site. There were lots of challenges at first, as she didn't have previous knowledge. She worked hard to learn the ropes and is now really enjoying her job.
Following her apprenticeship, Ellie could become a cyber security professional. They investigate computer-based crime, often called cyber crime.
What to expect if you want to be a cyber security professional
- Cyber security professional average salary: ÂŁ25,000 to ÂŁ60,000 per year
- Cyber security professional typical working hours: 37 to 39 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be a cyber security professional?
You could get this role via a university course, a vocational route like a T-level (England-only) or an apprenticeship, by working towards the role whilst in another position, such as working as an IT support technician and taking qualifications to train as a cyber security professional whilst you work, or by training with a professional body.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, .
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the for more on T-levels.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: , , and .
Find work experience placements with Workfinder.
Tips and advice
Help with interviews, writing a CV and all things work experience related.
Pauline: coder. video
Pauline uses code to create and manage websites.
Adam: events manager. video
Adam runs coding events for young people.
Hassan: digital degree apprentice
Hassan is a digital degree apprentice for EY.
