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From Public Service to Cyber Security

Martin Richards's journey

Building a foundation in service

Martin’s career began in the Army, where he served for several years before transitioning to the HM Prison Service. After gaining experience in prison management, he joined the police force, where he spent over 15 years working in Organised Crime, recruiting and managing covert police informants.

Discovering WithYouWithMe

In 2024, Martin reached a turning point in his career. Struggling with the exhaustion and stress of his work, he felt the need to explore opportunities beyond public service. He came across an advertisement on LinkedIn for a WithYouWithMe (WYWM) job accelerator event with their partner Leonardo. Despite having little experience in tech or cyber security, Martin attended on a whim. The event sparked a connection with WYWM’s mission and values, inspiring him to complete their psychometric and aptitude testing on the spot.

Unlocking Martin’s potential with aptitude and psychometric testing

Martin’s psychometric results highlighted his aptitude for both project management and cyber security. With 93% conscientiousness, he demonstrated a meticulous and detail-oriented nature, essential for maintaining rigorous standards in both fields. His C-Style personality showed a preference for structured, logical problem-solving, which is key to success in project management as well as cyber security. Strong scores in abstract reasoning and digit symbol coding demonstrated his ability to quickly identify patterns and solve complex problems. Additionally, his kinesthetic learning style made him highly effective in hands-on environments, further enhancing his potential in these fields.
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A career in Cyber Security

After completing training in both project management and cyber security, Martin decided to pursue a cyber security role at Leonardo. He successfully applied for and secured a position as a Squad Leader and Cyber Security Consultant at Leonardo.

Throughout the application process, Martin leveraged both his technical knowledge and his soft skills, such as communication and empathy, which helped him stand out. He now thrives in Leonardo’s supportive and diverse work culture, which he values as the most rewarding part of his new career.

As his leadership skills continue to evolve, Martin is eager to take on more significant responsibilities in the future. Looking back, he wishes he had made the career change sooner, but he is now excited about the opportunities ahead in the tech industry.
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Reflecting on his journey Martin said "Focusing on skills and identifying a digital career path that I was most suited to learning through aptitude and psychometric assessments completely transformed my career opportunities. It allowed me to draw on my life experience and apply it in a way I never imagined, especially in a field like cyber security. By building on my strengths and natural abilities, WithYouWithMe opened doors to a role where I can bring a fresh perspective and contribute to diversity of thought- something that’s increasingly valuable in solving today’s complex challenges."

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