From Law to Code: How a Tech Industry Gold…

From Law to Code: How a Tech Industry Gold Apprenticeship Helped Aliah Find Her Place in Tech

When Aliah Amjad began her career journey, technology wasn’t on her radar. After starting a law degree at university, she quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit. “I had to choose to drop out because I did not see a career aspiration progressing from there,” she recalls. Instead, she gained work experience in an insurance company, where exposure to CRM systems and other softwares sparked her interest in tech. That curiosity led her to a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP) degree apprenticeship with the University of East London (UEL), a decision that transformed her future.

Today, Aliah works as a Software Developer at Accenture UK and Ireland, applying the skills she developed during her apprenticeship to real-world client projects.

Discovering the right path

Before her apprenticeship, Aliah had limited exposure to technology, though her curiosity was always there. “I did computer science for my GCSEs, which isn’t a very regular choice, but back then, doors into tech studies were very limited,” she explains.

Aliah’s apprenticeship allowed her to balance academic study with hands-on work, giving her the skills and confidence to explore multiple career pathways. “One of my key goals was to try out different roles… tech sales, testing, application development, back end and front end,” she explains. “By the end of my apprenticeship, I had enough exposure to move on to something I wanted to stay in longer term.”

The apprenticeship became the perfect vehicle for Aliah to combine her interest in technology with practical experience. That exploration led her to full-stack development, culminating in a dissertation project that created a cognitive load reduction tool for dyslexic learners, a deeply personal innovation inspired by her own experiences.

Exploration and growth

As someone diagnosed with dyslexia, Aliah admits confidence didn’t come easily. *“Often growing up, I wasn’t as confident. Now, being in my role for three years, I feel so much more confident,”*she says. Her apprenticeship not only helped her develop technical skills but also empowered her to advocate for inclusivity. “I’ve been able to pull more apprentices onto projects and show that we can do a good amount of work. That wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t have a sense of community myself to give that to others.”

Her dissertation epitomises the blend of personal experience and technical skill that the programme fostered. Aliah created a software tool to make digital information more accessible. “Through developing my dissertation, I realised I actually enjoy building stuff, and presenting it to clients,” she reflects.

Over three years, she rotated through tech sales, application testing, and both front-end and back-end development. “I knew what I didn’t want to do, and that helped me get closer to where I am now,” she says. Today, she works as a developer managing five different applications, with ambitions to expand into full-stack development.

Navigating an apprenticeship is not without challenges. Aliah recalls struggling to balance work deadlines with university assignments*. “Mentally, you’re working a nine-to-five job, then you have to switch into student mode… that switch can be quite difficult,”* she admits. Her strategy? Staying organised and tackling tasks promptly, turning challenges into learning opportunities.

The structured support built into her Tech Industry Gold-accredited programme, from mentors and workplace leaders to academic supervisors, proved invaluable. “Having someone at work like your mentors and your people lead, and at university having your supervisor… knowing someone’s there to reply to you has been really key,” she says. This guidance helped her navigate the early stages of collaborating with a team that hadn’t previously worked with apprentices and were initially a little apprehensive, teaching her to communicate expectations effectively and assert her capabilities with confidence.

Aliah’s impact

Aliah’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. She was nominated for a Multicultural Apprenticeship Award, an achievement she describes as “a very encouraging moment.” Her dissertation project resonated deeply: “To be recognised… it was almost like I felt more included growing up.” Professionally, the nomination opened doors for her innovation to gain attention within her organisation, while personally, it fuelled her passion for creating meaningful change.

Aliah is motivated to give back. She hopes her story inspires other young people, particularly women and those from diverse backgrounds, to consider apprenticeships as a viable route into technology. “Just because something hasn’t happened so far, it’s not too hard to get into it one way or another,” she explains.

Looking ahead

Aliah’s journey is just beginning. In the short term, she is preparing to publish her dissertation in a Q1 journal and lead a team project to implement a new software system for clients. She also plans to engage in speaking initiatives, sharing her story at schools and industry events. “Through my story, it’s relatable to a lot of different people… it might seem intimidating, but it’s worth making those brave, bold moves,” she says.

Her apprenticeship journey has even gained attention at a national level. Aliah was invited to a parliamentary event by Newcastle Labour MPChi Onwurah, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee. Her story stood out as an inspiring example ofyoung professionals choosing tech through alternative career routes and making the switch from traditional degrees like Law. “It was exciting to share my experiences and show how apprenticeships can open doors for people from all backgrounds,” Aliah reflects.

Her advice for future apprentices is simple but powerful: “Use your own logic. Set yourself key priorities of what you want to achieve from this apprenticeship, and assess your daily moves based on those priorities rather than following all the advice everyone gives you.”

A testament to Tech Industry Gold apprenticeships

Reflecting on her journey, Aliah sees the apprenticeship as the perfect path for her. *“Having worked now for 6–7 years because I started so young… I don’t think there would have been a better path than an apprenticeship,”*she says.

Her experience highlights the value of Tech Industry Gold apprenticeships: they provide real-world experience, nurture talent, and empower learners to discover their passions while gaining the confidence and skills to make an impact in the tech industry. Aliah’s story demonstrates that with the right guidance, support, and determination, apprenticeships can be a launchpad for innovation, personal growth, and a meaningful career. From law to leading development projects, her journey proves that with determination and the right support, apprenticeships open doors to diverse opportunities and can transform lives.