Her Story
About Sandra
Sandra Hodsden serves as the on-site supervisor and sergeant of security at a government facility in Forest City, North Carolina. She has held this position for five years, having started in the security field in 2019 after a friend encouraged her to join. Prior to this role, Hodsden worked security at multiple Whole Foods supermarkets in Asheville, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and the Asheville Airport, where her thorough approach earned her recognition and additional assignments. She earned her GED in 2018 after returning to education and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in information technology. Hodsden maintains 19 certifications and demonstrates a strong interest in the technical aspects of her work, including networks, servers, and computer systems, which she oversees along with 83 cameras and various facility equipment. Her success stems from her curiosity about how systems operate and her commitment to thorough training and organization.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I guess because when I started doing the security at where I work at now, I was asking the guys there all different questions about all the networks and the servers and how everything works up in there, and they've always explained it to me and stuff, and so that kind of sparked up my interest in it, but I've always had an interest in computers.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Really get focused on the importance of it. Get used to how the sounds are in the room, how the temperature feels in the rooms. Get to know each one of the rooms. Learn your field thoroughly if that's what you're really into doing. Get themselves familiar with the fan readers, what type of output they have and input they have going on them, the whole nine yards with all that.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Don't take it to heart because people kind of get offended when you go up there and tell them that they have to move, they can't stay there. Don't take it to heart. Never let the bad ruin your day. Always keep a smile on your face, because that eats people up even the most.
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