From Retail to Cyber Security

Milica Farrell's journey

Milica’s path to breaking barriers in tech

Milica Farrell’s career journey is a compelling example of how women can carve out successful careers in the tech industry, even when starting from non-technical backgrounds. With roots in retail operations and e-commerce, Milica made a bold pivot into cyber security, a field where women remain underrepresented, proving that with determination, the right support, and a commitment to learning, it is possible to break through barriers and thrive.

Early career in business

Milica’s professional story began in the retail sector, where she excelled in sales and operations management. Overseeing 100+ stores across the UK and Europe, she was responsible for driving significant revenue growth and managing high-performing teams. These roles gave her strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills, qualities that would later serve her well in the technology sector.

Alongside her corporate career, Milica nurtured a growing interest in technology. Teaching herself website development on platforms like Shopify and WordPress, she found joy in solving technical challenges. This interest was the seed for her eventual transition into cyber security.

Taking the leap into tech

Despite lacking a formal background in technology, Milica decided to make the leap into the tech industry, a step that can be particularly daunting for women due to the field’s traditional gender imbalance. She began her transition by pursuing structured learning opportunities, completing a Cyber Security Technician Bootcamp. Through this program, she gained critical skills in risk management, incident response, and industry frameworks.

Recognising the need to build her credentials, Milica earned certifications such as CyberSec First Responder (CBS-410) and Microsoft Security Fundamentals (SC-900). These achievements helped her establish credibility in the field and opened doors to new opportunities.

Discovering WYWM and unlocking potential

In 2023, Milica discovered WithYouWithMe (WYWM) on LinkedIn while exploring career development options in tech. WYWM’s psychometric assessments aligned her aptitude to a cyber security career, and she enrolled in their cyber security training pathway.

The training platform offered practical, hands-on learning in threat analysis, risk management and vulnerability assessment. The self-paced format allowed Milica to balance her training with other commitments, demonstrating how flexible learning pathways can empower women to enter tech without needing to pause their lives or careers.

Breaking into Cyber Security

After completing her training, Milica secured her first role in the tech sector as an ICT Auditor at TIAA Ltd., where she developed expertise in compliance, risk management, and vulnerability assessments. Building on this foundation, she advanced to a position as a Cyber Security Consultant at Leonardo, a global leader in the defence sector.

In this role, Milica works on high-stakes projects, contributing to the security of critical systems. She values the dynamic, collaborative culture of the field and the continuous learning opportunities that cyber security provides.

Inspiring women in technology

Milica’s story highlights the importance of creating pathways for women to enter and succeed in technology. Her journey underscores the value of transferable skills and access to flexible, practical training programs. She hopes to use her experiences to inspire other women to pursue careers in tech, particularly in cyber security, where diverse perspectives are crucial for tackling complex global challenges.

Looking ahead, Milica aims to specialise in areas like cloud security and advanced threat mitigation, while also mentoring others who are breaking into the industry.

Reflecting on her journey, she emphasises the importance of resilience and taking risks:

“Entering cyber security as a woman with a non-technical background was challenging, but the rewards have been incredible. The industry needs more women, and I’m passionate about encouraging others to take the leap. Diversity strengthens teams and drives innovation, and there’s a place for everyone in tech if they’re willing to learn.”

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