Lorraine Williams joined Code Nation back in 2021 as a learner on one of our Develop coding courses. Since then, Lorraine has been on an exciting journey, completing further courses in Cyber security and Software development, receiving a Scholarship with Grayce, and then becoming one of the latest members of the Code Nation team, completing her Cyber Security Technologist Level 4 apprenticeship.

We catch up with Lorraine to find out more about her experience and her top tips for someone looking at getting started in Tech.

Tell me a little bit about yourself?

I am a mum of 3, all grown up now and before coming to Code Nation, I used to work in Care. I used to help people with Learning disabilities and dementia. Unfortunately, I hurt my back meaning I could no longer work and then with Covid hitting, that prevented me from returning once I recovered.

How did you hear about Code Nation?

I discovered the develop coding course and expressed an interest in this and pushed to get on the course. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I hadn’t done any coding before this so It was my first proper taste of it and I was hooked completely.

From then, I decided I wanted to continue and complete the Code Nation Master Software course. I tried to get funding to support however was not able to get this. After this, I kept an eye on what was being offered at Code Nation and I came across the Develop Cyber course. I thought, why not, I had an interest in it and believe it is very current, it happens in the real world and is extremely relevant. I enjoy keeping up to date with politics and the global news and Cyber is very relevant to all of that.

I completed my Cyber course and thought this was brilliant, there were some challenges along the way, but my tutor was so helpful and supportive, I was able to get through with a good grade.

I had heard about the Grow with Grayce scholarship and applied for this as I decided that having 12 weeks would really help me get a taste of what this industry is like and if it is right for me. At the end of my Cyber course, I received a call from Code Nation telling me the Grayce would like to interview me for the scholarship. I attended the interview and happily I was successful!

How was your Master course?

I started the Master Software course in September and finished in November. I really enjoyed that course overall and found the structure brilliant, as I could learn both front-end and back-end. This helped me to discover that I really prefer back-end, using languages like Python.

I found the support from all the staff at code nation to be fantastic, with people like Kath, Jill and Ezra all there to help guide me through and give me all the advice and guidance I needed.

How did you hear about the apprenticeship?

Whilst I was on the Master coding course, I received a call from Code Nation inviting me for an interview to join the team as an innovation developer. I was so excited and felt like it was a dream come true. I loved the way Code Nation taught their classes and how thought it would be great to be able to do something like that.

I did a lot of preparation for my interview and once it was finished, I was told that I had been successful. I was completely over the moon and since I started, I have been very well supported. I’m currently working with some of the instructors on the Develop Cyber courses, supporting them with delivery and 1-1 learner support.

I am currently completing the Cyber Technologist Level 4 apprenticeship with Code Nation; I have completed my onboarding session so far and I am really looking forward to getting started!

What types of things are you currently doing as part of your apprenticeship?

I am still quite new so now, I am doing quite a lot of shadowing with other instructors, providing 1-1 support for learners and helping with Admin support. I am also marking learners work and providing feedback and currently working on developing a marking scheme that I can use to help with this. I’m also working through tryhackme.

What advice would you give women thinking about getting started in tech?

I would say don’t think about being a woman in tech, if you enjoy it, just go for it. I have found no barriers at all during my journey. And more to anyone, tech is accessible, I thought having a bad back could be a barrier but through speaking with my line manager, support is in place to help me with this as much as I need.

The tech industry just feels like a big family, we work together and we’re also here for each other. The fact that you’re a woman or a man, or disabled, or black or anything else is irrelevant in my opinion.

Anything else you would like to mention?

I would like to say thank you to Grayce. I don’t think I would be where I am today without the opportunity that Grayce gave me. The 12-week Master course gave me the confidence in myself to know that actually, I can do this.

If you are interested in our Grow with Grayce scholarship opportunities, you can apply here.

For further information on how you can start your career in tech, check out our courses or chat with us today on 0333 050 4570