Her Story
About Katelyn
I work in digital forensics, helping law enforcement with technology acquired from victims, witnesses, and suspects. My expertise involves assisting with data collection from devices and creating readable reports that support investigations across a wide range of case types and device types.
I’ve been in this field for 2+ years, and it’s been an incredible journey. What’s interesting is that I had no idea I would become a technology person—I had never taken any computer science classes or anything like that. I came from a psychology and sociology background with a concentration in criminology.
I didn’t know specifically what I wanted to do within law enforcement until my last semester of senior year, when I completed an internship in digital forensics. I wasn’t entirely sure if I was going to like it, but I thought I might as well take advantage of the opportunities in front of me—and it turned out to be what I was meant for.
I use my psychology and criminology background a lot in this job, especially when thinking about where individuals might store different types of artifacts that are important evidence in various cases.
We used to be a two-person lab until my supervisor recently retired, and I’m now working as the sole analyst. I’m hoping to become a lab manager as the next step in my career.
I’m also very passionate about advocating for younger professionals and women working in or alongside law enforcement, and I’ve been working to promote myself and connect with others in the community. I’ve connected with people from outside the United States and from many different countries, and I’m working to help others navigate this field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katelyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a good support system. I learned in psychology that there are many elements that contribute to someone’s emotional and mental well-being, and social factors are a big part of that. I’m fortunate to have my family as strong supporters—they have continuously pushed me and encouraged me throughout my education and as I’ve started my career.
I also had a great mentor—my supervisor had a lot of experience. I learned many things professionally from him, and he also learned from me in some ways, particularly with different teaching methods. We had to learn from each other because I wasn’t someone he was used to training. He was used to teaching law enforcement, not a civilian, and I am a civilian in my position.
Additionally, once I found something that I love, I didn’t settle. I think it’s important to find something you genuinely enjoy doing, because there’s that saying—if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to take every opportunity that they possibly can. When it comes to figuring out if you’re interested in digital forensics or not, I had no idea until I did exactly that. I took a shot on something I didn’t know if I was going to like. I had some doubts, but it turned out to be something I’m incredibly passionate about.
If you’re restricting yourself, you’re not going to be able to learn things about yourself that you don’t even know yet. I didn’t know I was going to be a technology person—it was a major jump for me, but it’s been an incredible journey learning this field.
It was very fast-paced, almost like drinking from a fire hydrant, but I know that by going through this experience and all the steps it took to get where I am now, I can help coach others—especially those entering this field—on how to navigate it. This field can seem intimidating, and I want to help break that barrier by making it more approachable and showing others that they can succeed in it.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important thing to me is quality over quantity. I think it’s important not to rush and to pace yourself, because rushing can cause stress for both me and others. I need to be the best version of myself—for myself and for the community. I can’t be that if I’m not taking time to rest.
I also believe in not settling once you find something you love, and in finding something you truly enjoy doing, because if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.
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