Troy Wheeler is a Technology Success Analyst at Timewade. He joined the team remotely in May 2021. In this blog we discover more about his passion for tech and his plans for his future at Timewade.
Route into Tech
Troy says: “I stumbled upon ‘ethical hacking’ which is where a company releases code and invites people to try and find security flaws within it. I practiced with online simulations and then started doing ethical hacking as a hobby, which as a bonus paid. I find the work really rewarding and enjoy the challenge of problem solving.”
Skills and Qualifications
Despite being just 21, Troy has gained a wealth of qualifications and work experience, from aeronautical engineering in Newton Abbot through to teaching in South Korea.
Troy says: “Whilst I was at school I had a natural aptitude for STEMM subjects, particularly physics, which I found fascinating – I actually completed all of the material for a physics degree by the end of year 12! I was really interested in the technology side of the subject and pursued this interest as part of my studying, and in my spare time.
“After completing my GCSEs I started studying for A-Levels, but for me, something was missing. I switched direction and completed an Aerospace apprenticeship which included gaining experience in the workplace. During my apprenticeship I was recognised for my analytic thinking and started a Data Science apprenticeship at Exeter College.
“I then officially entered the world of work – in South Korea, as a maths and computer science teaching assistant at a boarding school. When I returned from Korea I started to gain skills and qualifications relevant to a career in technology with a local training provider. Alongside studying I was putting myself out there and applying for jobs. Despite only being 21 and with little work experience, Timewade saw potential in me, and I was fortunate enough to land myself a role with the company.”
World of Work
Troy’s unique CV and his professional and proactive attitude towards self-development helped him stand out from the crowd.
Troy said: “Timewade are hungry for people who want career progression and I would certainly describe myself as someone who is very keen to learn and progress.
“Since I started at Timewade, I have been offered nothing but opportunities and in six months I have been put through three qualifications including Sophos Endpoint Engineer, Sophos Firewall Engineer and Comptia Network+.
“I really enjoy the work that I do at Timewade and feel proud of the responsibility I have been given so early in my career.
“I feel really lucky to have a job where I wake up every morning and look forward to going to work.”
The Future
Troy works closely with clients by conducting regular technology alignment audits.
He says: “So far at Timewade I have had some fantastic opportunities to work closely with clients and the wider team and there are plenty of opportunities to develop and progress within the team here at Timewade.
“I would describe myself as an ambitious self-starter and I would like to see myself in a leadership or director role in the future. Timewade is a really supportive place for me to work towards these ambitions.”
Words of Wisdom
Troy says: “If you’re considering a career in the tech sector I would encourage you to start with the basics, and to then build up your knowledge. By taking a structured approach to your learning you will have a really strong foundation and knowledge base.
“Some of the courses are expensive, but the Comptia A+ qualification is well worth the investment and will really help you in the early days of your career. There are also plenty of free resources online where you can learn a lot. I started to make money as an ethical hacker without spending a penny on qualifications!
“As well as basic IT qualifications I would say you must be really dedicated to work in technology. It is a large and complex subject, and there are things which will take you a long time to understand – but if you keep going and persevering eventually you will get to grips with it.”
Next Steps
There are a number of courses available at Exeter College including BTEC’s, and apprenticeships for school leavers as well as 12-week skills boot camps for adults aged 19+. Discover more at: https://exe-coll.ac.uk/
To find out more about the best route for you contact the Apprenticeship Team at Exeter College: apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk; 01392 400800.
