From Classroom to Code: Verity's Journey to Data Engineering at Thales

In this insightful interview, we speak with Verity Woodcock, a Data Engineer who successfully transitioned from a decade-long career in teaching. Verity shares her compelling journey, prompted by a life-altering hearing disability, which led her to seek an environment more conducive to her needs. She details how she leveraged free training programs like Code First Girls to pivot into the tech industry, ultimately finding her niche at Thales. 

Verity Woodcock, Data Engineer

What prompted your decision to switch careers, and what were the main factors that influenced your choice?
I became hearing disabled through illness and realised that sound sensitivity and not hearing well would not be something that would allow me to continue in the classroom, having been a teacher for 10 years. I needed an environment where I could manage exposure to noise and in-person communication (even though communication was one of my strengths). A post in a life after teaching Facebook group made me aware of free training options such as Code First Girls (CFG) for a career in tech (in addition, there were opportunities for training that included a job. I’d tried to apply for some IT roles after leaving school but, without having taken GCSE, A Level or a degree in Computing, I wasn’t successful and I had entered an administrative role. Further influences were: starting salaries are generous, it’s an opportunity for lifelong learning and a job that is never dull, an opportunity for challenges and problem solving.

How did you select our program or company as the right fit for your career transition?
I’d found out about the sponsored CFG courses thanks to the Facebook post I saw from an ex-teacher turned Software Engineer (facilitated by the CFG nano degree). This prompted my research into what types of roles were available in tech. When I looked at which companies sponsored the CFG degree, there were two companies in my area, and both were in the defence sector. I researched the companies to decide which to apply to. Thales was my preference immediately as I loved the thought of working in a French company. But then I realised, through my research into Thales, Thales is an employer who cares: cares about the public (products are centred around their safety, security), and cares about its staff (inclusive recruitment process, volunteering hours, hybrid working, career development and mentoring, flexibility around staff needs).

What challenges did you face during the transition, and how did you overcome them?
I had struggles coding… struggles followed by absolute exhilaration each time I’d solved an issue. The euphoria that followed the solving of these challenges was addictive, and the pride I felt in myself was overwhelming and incredibly rewarding (I was doing the impossible! Of course, every step along the path was far from impossible and just needed persistence, resilience and the knowledge that all the previous ‘impossible’ challenges had been overcome… I was finally feeling a pride in myself that I wasn’t used to feeling – and the best thing was that there was an abundance of those challenges, so this feeling was one I could achieve several times a day, even several times an hour, as even tiny challenges caused this pride and pleasure).

I was heavily apprehensive about whether I could work with my disability, and Thales has shown me that I can work free of the challenges my disability causes elsewhere (Thales has been flexible around my needs, keen to ensure that there is no disability obstacle in my way).

Can you describe any specific skills or knowledge from your previous career that have been beneficial in your new role?
Career switchers have endless transferable skills. As a teacher, one of my favourite things was to create beautiful resources and this understanding of making digestible, careful, captivating visual resources transfers over to my new role, aiding me to make dashboards that provide a good user experience (which I was clearly going to enjoy profusely). My previous written and spoken communication with other professionals, children of all ages and their parents meant that I was already confident speaking with others. I’m also able to teach and speak with others of varying levels of understanding, which means I have several techniques available for explaining to others. I understand that our brains need repetition and small steps in learning, and I have learned how to make resources that support my own learning; therefore I can learn successfully and guide others in their learning.

How has this career switch impacted your professional life and personal fulfilment?
My personal time was returned to me (as a teacher, I had taught during the working day and then after the school day, I had marked, written reports, responded to emails, learned new subject content and created resources several hours in the evening, weekends and holidays). Now I feel the reward for everything I do. I’m pleased to be able to see constant progress in my abilities, and I’m excited to learn new things.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your new career so far?
My progression (I’ve made very good progress in my role and in my learning as a result of the opportunities that are available).

How did the training and support provided during your transition help you adjust to your new field?
Prior to the CFG nano degree, I completed several training courses. The internet is full of training (free, government-funded, company-sponsored, as well as paid – but the expense is unnecessary as the free training is good).  The more I learned, the more prepared I was to start the CFG nano degree.

I’ve found that the CFG nano degree introduced me to several areas, and therefore, nothing technical has felt utterly foreign. I had been provided with a good foundation to build on.

Thales has lots of training available through Ulearn and by asking others to share their knowledge. Thales also gave me the time and resources to learn Power BI rather than being thrown in the deep end.

What would you say to others contemplating a similar career switch?
If doing the nano degree with CFG (or similar), check the learning content and ensure that you grab the opportunity to learn a foundation before you start. Having even a little knowledge of something makes it so much more accessible compared to seeing something for the first time.

Accept that it’s okay that you don’t know something or that you’re doing it for the first time. This will be experienced as you will learn many new things, no matter what stage of your career you are at. Everyone else will be experiencing this too (not only new starters or career changers). Acknowledging it and accepting it means that you can progress to planning what you need to do to succeed. Allow yourself to ask for help and do not be afraid to (you will then have help in planning your success or in gaining the knowledge you need).  

I had expected to encounter Imposter syndrome, but I did not. I’m surrounded by people with incredible knowledge in specific areas and people with seemingly endless knowledge across endless areas. Thales is a learning organisation, which means I’ve endless opportunities to learn and that I am valued for my own knowledge (my weaknesses are supported by others’ knowledge and, in turn, my strengths support others’ weaknesses).

Did you encounter any unexpected surprises during your transition? If so, what were they?
The amount of resources for learning is extensive; if a learning resource isn’t well suited for me, there are several available that will be.

The incredible volume of support and encouragement I am given from my team, my manager and the network around me.

How do you envision your future in your new career, and what goals do you hope to achieve?
I’m studying towards a fully funded MSc in Computer Science thanks to Thales. I’ve always wanted to study towards a Master’s degree, but previously hadn’t due to a lack of time and the cost. Now I have been given this opportunity to learn, and it means I will finally get that Computing qualification I had lacked!

I’m working in a Data role, as a Data Analyst, creating dashboards (which I love, and it never gets boring). I aim to continue to have opportunities for learning throughout my career as learning and knowledge inspire me. Due to my interest in research and my experience teaching Research Methods, I am highly drawn to following a career path in Data Science. Regardless of whether that happens, opportunities exist to follow paths in multiple directions, and there’s always something new to learn and be drawn towards.

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