{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/620926e9068eb400129e71c1/647dd4e33863bd0011413182?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Sam Darling - Cyber Security Specialist","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/620926e9068eb400129e71c1/1685968085843-4dada9b792005127f4b26543df21a5bf.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>If you leave university two years into your degree, does it mean it's all been a waste? Not for Sam Darling!</p><p><br></p><p>After a frank conversation with his tutor revealed he had earned enough credits to secure a HND, Sam left university and continued a career story that had started at the age of 16.</p><p><br></p><p>Having already gained vast amounts of work experience (and co-authored a popular book), Sam knew that industry was moving faster than the speed of his degree course - and that opportunities to grow were there for the taking.</p><p><br></p><p>In our wide-ranging conversation we discuss:</p><p><br></p><p>* Growing up in an RAF family and feeling out of place at boarding school</p><p>* The value of an early dyslexia diagnosis and support</p><p>* Why professional qualifications should be a priority</p><p>* Switching seamlessly between the worlds of cycling and cyber security</p><p>* Why top Government and security organisations are actively seeking neuro-diverse people (and how to spot their ads)</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is a fantastic example of how leaving a degree course needn't mean time wasted, and the vast opportunity that exists in a rapidly growing sector.</p>","author_name":"Toni Kent"}