A day in the life of a new joiner at Inzpire
20 Feb 24
New JoinersBlogCareers
What can you expect when you join our growing company?
From her warm welcome to the team, to embracing new opportunities and experiences, Helen from our Cyber Division shares her first six months at Inzpire.
How were you welcomed to the company by your teammates?
I received a warm welcome from my colleagues in Cyber Division. I met my line manager Chris in person on my first day, and after a few days to settle in working at home, I joined the division’s weekly meeting where I was welcomed by the rest of the team.
It had also been planned by Chris that I would meet all colleagues from my immediate team, in exercise and training, face to face the following Monday. What’s more, I was extremely lucky to start just before the division had a strategy away-day in Harrogate, so I got to know what they had planned at an early stage of joining the company.
This thoughtful process really made me feel at home with the team; everyone was so friendly and helpful.
What was the overall induction process like, and did it give you a good idea of what to expect working here?
The induction process at Inzpire is comprehensive. Prior to starting, I received a timetable of what to expect during my induction day. You meet a lot of people from different departments on the first day, and it is helpful to put names to faces if like me you work primarily from home.
During the induction I learnt about the ethos of the company and what it wishes to achieve. The whole process helped me to understand where I fit in the business, and how I can contribute and progress.
Helen got to know her new teammates at a strategy away-day in Harrogate soon after joining
How have you been supported since joining us, by both your cyber colleagues and the wider team?
I’ve received a great amount of support from both my cyber colleagues and the wider team ever since I started. The work environment is one where you aren’t made to feel self-conscious about asking questions or getting clarification. I feel that this is important when you start a new role as it can be really daunting if you aren’t fully sure about a task that you’ve been given.
What opportunities have you been able to get involved with since joining us?
Whilst I was at studying at university, I was involved with science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) activities. When I joined Inzpire I was extremely excited to learn that there was a great focus on social outreach via the STEM network and in particular a project called CyberFirst.
CyberFirst is an initiative led by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, which provides activities for young people to develop their passion for technology, specifically cyber security. Since joining Inzpire I’ve helped to run activities at two CyberFirst EmPower events in the Northwest of England, where a major focus is to encourage girls to take an interest in technology and explore the subject while they’re at school. The EmPower events that I’ve attended have been for Year-8 girls and we provided an activity using Lego to introduce them to the fundamentals of algorithms.
I’ve also participated in a 10-week national online mentoring scheme where I was assigned six mentees to discuss career options, and exam and revision techniques.
Helen helped Year-8 girls learn the fundamentals of algorithms at a recent CyberFirst event
Not only are these school-engagement activities a fun and inclusive way to encourage the next generation into STEM careers, but being a CyberFirst ambassador is especially important to me as I want to show school-age girls that technology is not just for boys, and their skills and experiences are required.
Are you learning any new skills, and have you been able to make the most of any continuous professional development opportunities?
Since starting with Inzpire I’ve been encouraged to pursue CPD opportunities. In the first six months here, I achieved: Google Cybersecurity Professional Certification; ISC2 Certification in Cyber Security; Foundation Level Threat Intelligence Analyst; and Cyber Scheme Foundation Level.
In addition to achieving certifications, we’re also given the opportunity to attend conferences. Four colleagues and I attended Secure London, as hosted by ISC2, which was extremely enjoyable and insightful. Another colleague and I also attended a conference in Blackburn which focused on ‘Activating the Lancashire Cyber Security Supply Chain’ and highlighted the work happening around the county where I live.
Has anything surprised you about life at Inzpire?
What surprised me most, goes back to my interview. I wasn’t immediately asked to discuss myself and the job role. Instead, I was told about the company culture; what it’s like to work for Inzpire and its comprehensive benefits package. This was unusual for me, as the part about benefits has previously been tagged on at the end of an interview, or I’ve had to specifically ask about them.
This put me at ease with the panel and provided a comfortable environment for me to continue the interview by sharing my skills and experience, and why I should be chosen for the role. Inzpire makes its people a priority. My interview experience showed this, and I can honestly say that this positive experience has continued into my employment.
Do you have any tips for other new joiners at Inzpire?
It’s known that a large majority of employees at the company are from a military background. I would say to any new joiner who is, like myself, not from this background, to not let this daunt you. Inzpire is a growing company, and it’s exciting to work for them.
I’ve already found in my short time here that my thoughts and ideas are valued and listened to. If I’m unsure of something, then I’ve been encouraged to ask. This is especially useful as there are quite a few military acronyms and abbreviations to get used to!
One final point is that if you’re a recent graduate like me, or new to the field of work, then I recommend using the first few months to do lots of reading and gain as many additional skills as you can.
Want to join our growing team? Head to our careers page to find out how.
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