“The most important thing the apprenticeship gave me was learning to feel comfortable being uncomfortable — giving me the freedom to grow and pick up new skills without being as inhibited with the fear of the unknown”
What were you doing before your apprenticeship?
I was working in a non-technical role at the DWP, following graduating from university with a History degree. When I joined the DWP, I’d intended it to be a stop-gap as I figured out what I wanted to do. However I ended up wanting to stay with DWP but I didn’t know how to find a role that had a clear career path without any relevant qualifications — so I started to look at apprenticeships as a way to forge a new career path. I ended up choosing an apprenticeship in tech because I’d always lamented the fact that I felt like I’d “missed my chance” to learn to code and get a career in tech.
What was a highlight of your apprenticeship?
One of my highlights was when I joined the engineering team towards the end of my apprenticeship. I found I was quickly able to keep up with the other engineers, to participate in complex conversations and even help other engineers with their blockers. I didn’t feel like “the apprentice engineer” — working with a whole new group of people highlighted to me just how far I’d come as an engineer and really went a long way to squashing my imposter syndrome. It was just a really nice feeling.
Orla Dunlop, DevOps graduate at AWS Summit in London.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
I was really hard on myself initially when I struggled to pick things up as quickly as I’d like and I often compared myself to the progress my fellow apprentices were making. So, I would have put less pressure on myself and believe that in time I’d get there.
What are your hopes for the future?
I’m working on getting promoted — hopefully jumping up two grades in the process! But apart from that I’m really happy where I am for now. I started this whole journey because I wanted a fulfilling career at the DWP and I’ve got it. I work on a team with really great people, working on a really interesting product where I think I’m really going to mature as an engineer.
