Her Story
About Alina
Alina Buchen serves in commercial sales within the cybersecurity industry from her base in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating summa cum laude in 2024 with a health degree, she shifted from initial nursing studies to tech sales and cybersecurity. In her position, she reaches out to companies seeking to work with the Department of Defense, helping them prepare for cybersecurity assessments, while also managing two interns and supporting leadership efforts in a new commercial branch of an eight-year-old company that began with just two people and has grown to a team of four or five. Alina has exceeded her quota in only eight months and credits her adaptability, shaped by living in five countries and moving fifteen times due to her father's diplomatic work, for her success. She holds certifications in public health training and from FEMA, founded the Talent Health and Service Alliance club in college that grew to 150 members, and was part of the ESG Honor Society. Her values emphasize growth, integrity, curiosity, resilience, and reciprocal relationships, and she actively supports mental health causes through annual fundraisers for Here Tomorrow and veteran suicide awareness initiatives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alina
01What do you attribute your success to?
Adaptability is the number one thing. Life is unpredictable so you have to embrace change instead of resisting it. Risk is better than regret. Many of my biggest opportunities came because I was willing to say yes before I felt completely ready. Confidence comes from experience. I credit certain people like family, mentors, managers and friends who believed in me and challenged me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Your career doesn't have to be a straight line. You can't make decisions out of fear, you have to make them out of growth. Growth begins the moment you're willing to be a beginner again. Keep an open mind and be open to growth.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The job market is insane. Finding a job after graduating took 6 months of applying everywhere. In the field there are many layers within cybersecurity like commercial, federal, digital services so opportunities to prove useful in other areas and continue to open doors by learning.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Growth, integrity (doing the right thing when no one is watching), curiosity (always ask questions and seek feedback), resilience, kindness, courage, reciprocating in relationships (give as much as you receive without expecting), empathy. Relationships should be reciprocal based on mutual support, love, honesty.
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