She trained for cyber. She got customer support.
In this eye-opening episode, Maryam shares the reality behind her five years in the RAF - from feeling deflated about her posting to feeling trapped, it certainly wasn't the high-drama experience she'd seen on the TV.
Plus, as the only woman wearing a headscarf in most rooms, she stood out before she even spoke. Integration was hard. Misconceptions ran deep.
And DE&I? In her words, has caused a culture of fear about offending people that creates, rather than breaks down, barriers.
Maryam talks openly about:
The mismatch between military promises and on-the-ground roles.
The loneliness of being visibly different in a closed-off culture.
Why DE&I can actually get in the way of real human connection.
And how, despite it all, she rinsed every opportunity and made her way forward.
It's a story of making the most out of your situation, being open and communicative, and staying determined and true to your goals.