Her Story
About Sarah
Sarah Arkam is a junior at Drexel University studying computer science and cybersecurity, with an expected graduation date of June 2027. She began her higher education at Gettysburg College before transferring to the Community College of Philadelphia and ultimately enrolling at Drexel. For the past two years, Sarah has worked as an IT specialist in her family's business, Arkham Electronics, where she provides technical troubleshooting support with a focus on cybersecurity. She has earned her Security Plus certificate and completed the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, and she continues to build her expertise through hands-on projects such as a SIM and Active Directory setup, as well as pursuing the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification. Sarah actively participates in professional development by attending networking events, including those hosted by the WICS chapter at Temple and WAICS, and she emphasizes the importance of consistency, a positive mindset when facing challenges, and surrounding herself with influences that align with her career goals in cybersecurity and IT.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute it mainly to myself. When I face a challenge, I don't beat myself up for it. I acknowledge the problem and where I am lacking but try to put a positive spin into it somehow, which motivates me. The way I think about things has helped me so much.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Surrounding yourself with the image of who you want to become is the greatest way to actually achieve it. This means surrounding yourself with friends who are hardworking and focused on professional growth, consuming content related to your field like LinkedIn instead of silly videos, and speaking positively about self-development so you start to believe it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Getting my foot in the door is the main challenge in cybersecurity, IT, and tech jobs in general. Many people struggle and lose hope. I've been lucky not to be desperate, allowing me to take time to build skills without extra pressure.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Consistency is most important. In work, consistency is necessary to grow - you have to put your whole self into it and stay with it even if just something small every day. In personal life, consistently showing silliness and humor to people you care about keeps things light and helps stay connected even through rough patches.
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