Her Story
About Sarah
I am currently a student at Fayetteville State University pursuing a degree in information systems and business analytics with a minor in computer science, and I expect to graduate in December 2027. I have been working in healthcare administration and data science research for over two years now. My journey started at Howard University in the College of Engineering studying computer science, but I became intrigued by the business school and the incredible people I networked with there. I transferred to Fayetteville State to pursue both IT and business together, which opened up a whole new perspective for me. Currently, I intern at Cape Fear Valley Hospital where I go around all the departments to shadow and see how teams come together to solve critical healthcare issues and create solutions so the system flows perfectly. It's amazing to see how everything works behind the scenes, not just the front of the hospital but the back too. I also work with the Intelligent Systems Lab (ISL) where I'm working on research projects with NASA, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and NC State on AI-based cancer research. On campus, I work in event management, managing all the events that happen in our student center. I'm exploring different avenues to see what I want to pursue, and my future goal is to go into fintech and work for a firm. As an international student from Bangladesh, I also mentor others going through similar experiences, sharing my journey so they can take whatever helps them from it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I definitely attribute my success to the people around me. They have been incredibly, incredibly supportive towards me. The administration at Fayetteville State has supported me through my highs and lows. I have reached out to them about my career expectations, and they have given me great feedback. All the professors and my supervisor at work have pushed me to the point that I'm like, yes, I know if I put my eyes on it, I can do it. They have been so supportive and encouraging that it has given me the confidence to pursue my goals.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say that never think that any opportunity you aim for is not for you as women. I know there's a perspective that you have to work twice as hard, but to me, confidence is everything. If you put your mind to it, and you know you're good at it, you will get it. You don't have to think about whoever else is in that room. You are your person, and you are focused on yourself, and when you are focused on yourself, you will get what you want. Don't let anyone make you feel like an opportunity isn't meant for you just because you're a woman.
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