Her Story
About Olga
I started my current position as a crime analyst with the Sheriff's Department in December 2023, which has been about six months now. This role represents the culmination of my passion for criminal justice and public safety, a field I've always been passionate about. In my day-to-day work, I handle monthly stats for specific requirements of my role and remain on standby to provide analytical support to co-workers and other areas whenever they need assistance. My career path has taken me through several different roles and fields. I started in administrative accounting positions where I worked as an administrative assistant for about a year. From there, I moved to Child Protective Services for a year, then transitioned to business management where I handled accounting and payroll for two years. Throughout these different positions, analytical work has been a consistent thread, though each role served a different purpose. My educational foundation includes both a bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justice from Lamar University in Texas, with my master's completed in December 2020. What I'm most proud of professionally is my ability to persevere and stay consistent, always looking for the best opportunity available regardless of whether it means starting over or jumping into a totally different field or role, even if it means starting from scratch. I've learned to take new opportunities without letting my fears hold me back.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Olga
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my family because they were my bigger support system. Honestly, I just feel like besides the financial part, but the emotional and the moral support, I don't think I would have achieved all of what I have without them. If it wasn't for all of them, I wouldn't be where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received has been just to not be afraid to take the step forward and don't settle. You know, taking any opportunity, it might sound scary, but it might not even be a for-sure thing, but just not missing out on it because it could be the opportunity. Another piece of advice I received was from my prior job when I didn't want to leave because I felt bad leaving the position I had, since it was a small company and would probably put them in a bind. I was told to worry about what my goals are and that everybody can be replaced, so to just worry about my own goals and what is good for me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to just keep trying, even if it looks like nothing is going the way that we planned. Just keep trying, because eventually something is going to come up. It might take a couple years, but you're going to achieve it. That's at least in my personal experience. You know, just don't give up, even if it just looks like everything else is failing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest opportunities are just having connections and building relations with people around me, which might be co-workers or just any connections made. I think that's very important. The challenges would be just gaining experience. This being my first couple months in this role, it was a bit challenging just not having the experience required. So I would say that has been the biggest challenge, just trying to rush to gain the experience and the knowledge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say just being honest, I think it's one of the biggest ones to begin with. And just being a team player with everybody, just work together, I think those are my biggest ones. In my personal life, it's similar as well, just being honest all around.
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