From Chef to IT Professional: Mariya Todorova’s Inspiring Journey
Mariya Todorova’s path to success is a testament to determination and the power of pursuing your passions, no matter the obstacles. Born in Bulgaria and raised in Italy, Mariya initially trained as a chef, working in the hospitality industry for 14 years.
However, her true passion for technology led her to a career change and this summer, being awarded a degree in Cloud Computing from the ϳԹ’s (ϳԹ) London campus.
In 2018, at the age of 24, Mariya moved to London, where her love for technology began to flourish. Despite initially missing out on a place in ϳԹ’s Cloud Computing course she persisted, successfully enrolling in October 2020.
Mariya’s journey into technology began in her school days, where she was the go-to student for computer-related tasks, and a memorable mishap with a virus on her mother’s laptop only deepened her interest in cybersecurity.
Her drive to make her family proud, particularly by becoming the first in her family to earn a university degree, fuelled her determination throughout her studies. Her hard work paid off, and she soon secured a full-time role in IT as an assistant at ϳԹ, which later led to her current position as an IT Desk Engineer for Lyon Tech Managed IT Services.
“This role has given me the opportunity to work on-site for Perkins and Will, a global design studio – a dream come true,” she said.
Balancing her full-time job, double shifts, and her studies was no easy feat, but Mariya credits her success to the foundational knowledge and skills she acquired at ϳԹ.
She particularly values the mentorship and guidance of her instructors, including Mr. Paul Wallin, Mr. Suneth Fernando, Miss Renuga Jayakumar, Mr. Sadeque Shaikh, and Mr. Anupam Mazumdar, whose teachings inspired her to delve deeper into areas such as cybersecurity, backend coding, and data analysis.
“Three months into my full-time role, I’m already facing daily challenges that I can solve thanks to the knowledge and skills I gained during my studies,” Mariya added. “The course at ϳԹ provided me with the foundation and tools necessary for success, and it’s important to remember that effort and determination are also key to achieving your goals.”
Mariya plans to pursue her CCNA certification and transition into a career in cybersecurity.
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071