When Sienna Wycherley finished her A-Levels, she thought a legal career meant one thing – university, qualification, then courtroom work.
“I had just finished secondary school having completed my A-Levels in biology, psychology and law and this was going to be my first full-time job,” she explained. “I knew from the get-go that I wanted to have a legal career but after completing work experience in the criminal division, I found I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped.”
A work placement sparked interest in corporate law and data protection, a field she hadn’t previously considered. “I did not want to go to university; I wanted to start properly working but I still wanted to continue learning. This was when I realised I wanted to do an apprenticeship,” she said.
The opportunity at Sciensus offered exactly what Sienna was looking for – the opportunity to experience and explore the practical application of law whilst continuing her education.
Having now successfully completed her Data Protection and Information Governance Apprenticeship with a distinction and securing a permanent position in Sciensus’s information governance team, Sienna’s journey demonstrates how the right apprenticeship can transform academic interest into professional expertise.
Building foundational expertise
Starting with limited professional experience, Sienna was given responsibilities that grew steadily in complexity. Her role demanded versatility, where no two days were the same, and she quickly learned to adapt to shifting business priorities.
“I am predominantly responsible for investigating low to high-risk data incidents and providing training and feedback to departments dependant on trend reports and root cause analysis,” she explained. Her daily work includes acting as an internal specialist contact, responding to queries, undertaking DPIAs and risk assessments, completing compliance audits, reviewing contractual clauses, processing subject rights requests and presenting to committees and stakeholders.
The formal training structure of her apprenticeship complemented the practical work required for her role. “I found that the training was really complementary and that the structure not only helped me to learn and interpret the law but also understand why there were certain processes or requirements that I needed to apply,” she reflected.
Feedback sessions with her coach became strategic planning opportunities. “The coaching sessions gave me the opportunity to discuss what modules I would be learning next and identify with my manager what tasks I needed more exposure to, so that I could consolidate my learning through real-life application.”
Transformation and growing confidence
Perhaps the most significant development was the evolution of Sienna’s professional confidence and independent judgment. “At the beginning of this journey, I wasn’t overly confident and would often second guess my decisions; I wouldn’t feel able to challenge proposals or provide input or guidance to resolve queries, and I think that was due to my lack of experience,” she shared.
The progression was gradual but substantial. “Overtime, my confidence definitely grew. I didn’t recognise this instantly, but there got to a time where I was starting to feel more comfortable in communicating independently with stakeholders without my manager’s support.”
A pivotal moment came when she began mentoring Sciensus’s new information governance apprentice. “It was at this moment that I realised that I not only knew how to interpret and apply the law, but I understood it enough to guide and mentor other members of staff to support their growth,” she said. “This most definitely highlighted the growth that I had made within my role, and the confidence that the apprenticeship had given me.”
Her impact extended beyond day-to-day responsibilities. She identified inconsistencies in the organisation’s contractual processes, particularly regarding international data transfers. Taking initiative, she introduced a more accessible risk assessment framework that streamlined compliance and improved internal consistency, resulting in tangible improvement that demonstrated both technical knowledge and strategic thinking.
Looking ahead
Since completing her apprenticeship, Sienna has focused on expanding her expertise and taking on greater responsibility. “I have been focusing on challenging my knowledge in stepping outside my comfort zone and taking on more responsibility,” she explained.
Her career ambitions are clear and ambitious. “Within the next few years, I would like to gain more practical experience and move into a managerial role where the level of responsibility is more advanced. The apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to acquire the fundamental knowledge that will help shape my career, and to interact with existing experts within the data protection field,” she reflected.
Her advice to others considering this path is straightforward and heartfelt: “I would strongly recommend the apprenticeship route to anyone who is considering it. Choosing an apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience while continuing to learn and develop academically. This combination has helped me to build confidence, grow professionally, and gain a much deeper understanding of how organisations operate in practice.”
“My advice would be to trust your instincts and remember that you are building your own career, not following someone else’s.”