Building Confidence, Unlocking a Career in IT

After graduating from university with a degree in Business Studies, Tariq found himself at a crossroads. Unsure which direction to take and struggling to find roles that felt like the right fit, he faced a challenge familiar to many graduates – having qualifications, but lacking the professional experience needed to get started.

“Before the bootcamp, I didn’t really know what job or industry I wanted to go into. One of my main issues was my lack of professional experience, so I was keen to gain some through the bootcamp.”

Without a clear path forward, breaking into a new field felt uncertain. That changed when Tariq, aged 21, enrolled in Generation’s IT Support with Cyber Security bootcamp in the West Midlands.

Finding Direction with Generation

Through the bootcamp, Tariq began building the technical knowledge and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

“One of the primary ways the Generation bootcamp helped me was with confidence, both in myself and in my technical skills.”

A key part of this growth came from learning in a diverse classroom environment, alongside peers with different levels of experience. 

“Working with so many new people from a range of backgrounds and with varying amounts of technical knowledge made me feel more comfortable speaking and asking questions about concepts I didn’t fully understand.”

Delivering presentations on technical concepts and personal interests further strengthened his public speaking skills, while encouraging him to engage more actively in group learning. Tariq also developed a clearer understanding of the recruitment process and how to present himself effectively to employers. 

“The employability side of the bootcamp massively improved my understanding of the recruitment process from an employer’s point of view. How to structure my answers and what to emphasise in interviews.”

Hands-on learning also played a key role. By completing virtual IT support activities, Tariq gained practical experience solving real-world issues that an IT support technician would encounter. 

“It made me much more confident in exploring and troubleshooting systems – things I would have previously avoided for fear of breaking something.”

Starting a Career in IT

After completing the bootcamp in September 2026, Tariq secured an apprenticeship with QA and Birmingham City Council as an Information and Communication Technician.

In his role, he supports council staff with IT and cloud-based issues, helping ensure essential public services continue to run smoothly, all while continuing his professional development through training with QA.

“As I move into my new position, I’m most excited about putting my knowledge to the test and continuing to deepen my understanding of more complex concepts.”

Securing this role has had a meaningful impact on Tariq’s confidence, wellbeing, and outlook for the future.

“Gaining an apprenticeship has really improved my mentality and mental health. I feel much more secure in my future and my own abilities moving forward. The ability to save money and give back to my family, who have supported me my whole life, has really improved my happiness.”

For Tariq, Generation provided more than just training. It offered direction, confidence, and a clear pathway into a career.