Ioana Tugui

What made you decide to join the Professional Pathway scheme?

Actually, the reason why I chose City over other universities was because of the Professional Pathway scheme. I considered that having the opportunity to work alongside studies would give me an advantage over other students who would graduate with only one year or no experience.

What roles did you do whilst on the Professional Pathway scheme?

With the help of the Work-Based Learning Advisor, I was able to create a thorough and professional looking CV which allowed me to get my first role in IT. I initially worked as an ICT Support Officer for a charity, where I was able to build a solid foundation in IT.

Later I was the only student from the PP scheme to ever get accepted for a role at one the largest pharmaceutical firms in the world; GlaxoSmithKline.

I was offered a role as a Quality, Risk and Compliance (QRC) Analyst and it’s here where I had the opportunity to first experience life in a global, multinational company. I then moved on to The Economist, in an Information Security Analyst role.

Finally, I managed to secure a role at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence role where I was working as a full-time Security Consultant. I held onto this job even after graduation.

How did the scheme help you find work on graduation?

PP allowed me to build a successful career in Information Security. At the time of graduation, I was already working full-time for one of the largest defence companies in the world, i.e. BAE Systems Applied Intelligence.

Describe your career journey since graduation.

My career skyrocketed even before graduation. At the time of graduation, I was already working as a full-time security consultant at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence.

I left this job to move back to my home country, where I worked as a Security Officer for Ericsson, then as a Security Consultant and Country Leader for a large multinational retailer (Ahold Delhaize – Mega Image), where I was leading all the security efforts for the local brand (Mega Image).

Finally, I am now with Secureworks working as a Security Program Manager, holding one of the largest job grades in our local organisation.

Are there any lessons you want to share with current Professional Pathway applicants?

I just want to say that working and studying at the same time is not an easy task. However, if you are committed to putting in the extra effort, the rewards will amaze you.

Having three years of experience when you graduate will mean that you have a considerable advantage over other students. In my experience, all of my efforts have paid off.

Any final message about the Professional Pathway scheme?

I think PP is a great and innovative way to combine work and studies. You study almost exactly the same modules as your peers, but graduate with three years of work experience. I am so happy to see this scheme continuing because I am living proof that the Professional Pathway scheme helps you build a great career.