"Turning a passion for cyber security into a career" — Ross Wills was featured by the University of South Wales as an example of how determination, a non-traditional background, and genuine passion can lead to a career in cyber security.
Read the full feature at southwales.ac.uk →My journey into cyber security is not a conventional one — and that is something I am proud of.
I left school at 16 and spent the next twelve years working in care. For the first five years I worked as a support worker with young adults with learning difficulties, autism, and challenging behaviour. It was demanding, rewarding work that taught me patience, problem solving under pressure, and how to operate calmly in difficult situations — skills that have followed me into every role since.
When my twin brother was paralysed in a motorbike accident, I left that role to care for him privately for around seven years. Being there for him during that time was not a career decision — it was simply what needed to be done.
During that period I faced my own significant challenge, being diagnosed with a serious illness twice and undergoing treatment that forced me to step back from caring for my brother when he needed me most. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to navigate.
When I came through the other side I made a decision. I took six months to travel Southeast Asia and Indonesia — to reset, reflect, and think clearly about what I wanted my future to look like. That time gave me the answer I had been carrying since childhood. A passion for computing that had never left me.
As I described in my USW feature: "My interest in cyber security began early; as a child, I was the go-to person in my family for fixing computer issues."
At 28 I enrolled at the University of South Wales to study Applied Cyber Security. In 2026 I graduated with a First Class Honours degree.
It took a different path to get here. But every part of it brought me to exactly where I am supposed to be.
The same qualities that made me effective in care — staying calm under pressure, attention to detail, methodical thinking, and genuine concern for outcomes — are what make me effective in cyber security.
I understand what it means to protect something that matters. That purpose drives everything I do in this field.
"Take your time, focus on what genuinely interests you, and avoid comparing your progress to others. Cyber security is an evolving field, and embracing continuous learning is essential." — Ross Wills, USW Feature