Thinking back, looking forward: Ahmed
In July 2021, we asked Ahmed to share his experiences in a blog. He was two years on from completing the StandOut course at HMP Wandsworth and spoke of the challenges he’d faced since leaving prison and his determination to pursue a career in IT. After several setbacks applying for jobs, he called for employers to look at people’s passions, not their past when it came to the application process.
Almost another two years since his first blog, Ahmed updates us on where his journey has taken him since.
When the StandOut community team connected Ahmed with Breakthrough, a social enterprise that get people leaving prison into tech, he knew he was a step closer towards his goal of working in IT. On the Breakthrough pre-apprenticeship programme he learned about code, business acumen and cyber security, and took part in mentoring and life coaching. Within a week of graduating in January 2022, he started an apprenticeship at Make Time Count.
“I felt like someone would see through me”, Ahmed remembers as he shares the imposter syndrome he felt when he first started in his role. As time went on, his confidence grew and he began to feel like part of the team. Make Time Count has a strong culture of feedback. Good work was commended, and constructive feedback was given to help him develop. As a result he never felt he was ‘just part of a programme for prison leavers’ - or, in his words, a ‘charity case’. He was part of the team and treated like every other colleague. When he realised that the trust his employers had in him was genuine and they had confidence he could do the job well, his imposter syndrome began to fade.
Since joining the team, he has been promoted to testing lead, responsible for testing software for the criminal justice sector and reporting any issues. Promotion meant that he was able to save enough to visit his family in Nigeria last summer, for the first time in years.
Now progressing comfortably in an IT career, Ahmed is looking to pursue his passion - cyber security. Despite his experience and enthusiasm, this area has been difficult for Ahmed to get into. Recently, he followed up an opportunity to train in cyber security. At first, it seemed great but as soon as they knew about his conviction things changed. He could join the programme, but wouldn’t be able to take the part of the course that would qualify him in cyber security - “it was misleading, and that doesn’t fill me with confidence.” Ahmed encountered what we know can be an issue for many people with a conviction - despite proving their ability the barriers can sometimes prove insurmountable.
“Even though I’m confident where I am at the moment, I still have that fear that a lot of employers aren’t ready to give people like us an opportunity.” He feels a barrier between people with convictions and employers - and he wishes it wasn’t like that.
A highlight for Ahmed over the last few years has been going back into prison to speak about Breakthrough to men on the StandOut programme preparing for release.
“It’s been helpful to go into prisons and talk to men inside and make them realise they have potential and can achieve what they want to achieve. The men are engaged and could relate to someone who has been through what they’ve been through and come out of the other side.”
Ahmed has also attended a Career Hub, to talk to people about his experiences post-release and at Breakthrough. He reminded the men that success looks different for everyone.
“When I left prison, I thought I would get a job in IT and tech really quickly - but it took almost three years. It takes time to assimilate back into society. You may not be exactly where you want to be, but look how far you’ve come. It’s progress, and that’s what you should aim for - progress”.
He shared how vital having connections, and making use of them, has been in his journey so far - and how he plans to continue to connect with others to learn, develop and find opportunities. While knockbacks can be very damaging to someone’s confidence, it’s been inspiring to see how Ahmed’s growth mindset has helped him to handle these challenges. While working in cyber security is still his ultimate career goal, in the meantime, he is learning and challenging himself where he is and using his experiences to help others navigate post-release life.