Textbooks to Tech at Trivallis: Joseph Steps into IT

Over the past two weeks, we were delighted to welcome Joseph to the team for his IT work experience placement. During his time with us, Joseph gained hands on insight into the day to day work of an IT department while exploring his growing interest in cybersecurity and technology.

A different route into tech

Joseph has just completed his second year at the University of Nottingham, where he studies Classics, focusing on ancient Greek and Latin. While his academic background may seem quite different from IT at first glance, his curiosity about technology and its role in the modern world has led him towards a potential future in the sector.

Over the past year, Joseph has developed a strong interest in cybersecurity. At the same time, he was keen to understand where he might best fit within the wider IT landscape, whether that is cybersecurity, infrastructure, or end user support. This placement provided a valuable opportunity to explore these areas in a practical and supportive environment.

Reflecting on his time with us, Joseph shared, “I’ve definitely got what I wanted from the experience.”

Gaining real world experience

During his placement, Joseph worked closely with our infrastructure team, experiencing a wide range of IT activities. From supporting projects such as Copilot for Security to getting involved with practical tasks like reviewing cabling and systems in our call centre, Joseph gained insight into both the strategic and hands on aspects of IT.

A key highlight of his experience was working with industry tools such as Microsoft Defender, Purview, and Sentinel. Having previously only read about these platforms, Joseph was able to access them directly and build practical understanding.

As he explained, “I’d heard of the platforms before, but being able to actually use them made a big difference.”

He also contributed to a phishing simulation exercise, where a mock email was sent to staff to assess awareness and responses. This gave him the opportunity to see how organisations actively strengthen their approach to cybersecurity.

Joseph particularly valued the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. “It hasn’t just been sitting and watching, I’ve actually been able to do things myself,” he said, highlighting the importance of hands on learning during his placement.

Life outside of tech

Outside of his studies and growing interest in technology, Joseph enjoys keeping active and maintaining a good balance. He has a background in swimming, specialising in butterfly, and continues to swim regularly. He also enjoys films and reading, often taking recommendations from those around him.

What comes next

While Joseph continues his degree in Classics, he is now considering a future career in IT or technology. He spoke about how digital technology shapes so many aspects of modern life and shared his interest in being part of that evolving space.

Whether his path leads into cybersecurity, infrastructure, or IT consulting, this experience has given him valuable clarity and confidence as he looks ahead.

Joseph’s reflections on the experience

When asked what advice he would give to others considering work experience, Joseph was clear in his recommendation. It is an opportunity worth taking. He highlighted how supported he felt throughout his time with the team and how valuable it was to be guided while also trusted to get involved.

“I’ve been very well looked after and guided through everything,” he said.

His experience reflects our commitment to creating a friendly, inclusive environment where people feel supported to learn, grow, and build confidence in their skills.

We would like to thank Joseph for his enthusiasm and contribution over the past two weeks and wish him every success in his future journey.