Her Story
About Sarina
I have always really worked in customer service. I was originally going to school for journalism and broadcasts, but I started working at this blood bank, and because my experience showed that I had an opportunity to change and transform the way that we recruit blood donors and help with production and obviously saving lives, I really just decided to stay within that area. I was good at it, I'm knowledgeable, I had the experience, and so I was able to just promote and continuously grow within that field. From there, it's just really kind of taken off, where I've become more of a known figure in our industry for contact centers. I've fortunately been blessed to speak at a number of different conferences, and it just feels like that's the area that I belong in. I am a people-first leader, and I really believe that if you pour into them, then they will be bought into the culture and the mission, and they'll want to support you as a leader.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarina
01What do you attribute your success to?
My team. I am a people-first leader, and I really believe that if you pour into them, then they will be bought into the culture and the mission, and they'll want to support you as a leader. I've had, like any other professional, a lot of ups and downs. There's hard days when you're in the business of collecting blood. It's not an easy job, especially in the healthcare field, but when you have a good team that you're supporting, then you want to really show up and be the leader that you've always told them that you were. So it's kind of being that example, and they are what drives me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice has been, never dim your light and get the right people around you who can mentor you. You know, being in spaces of different women and men that can offer you advice and help guide you, ultimately will help you reach your highest potential.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You know, it's a very male-dominated field, technology, and so you should come in knowledgeable and understanding that, but never feel like you aren't just as good. You know, you are, in most cases, smarter than what you think, and you can push yourself to different realms and areas that you wouldn't even believe. You just have to be willing to take that risk and do the work.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
You know, again, we are in the business of blood, and less than 3% of the population donates. So, we're on a constant, it almost feels like a hamster wheel, trying to make sure that we're able to meet the demand. You know, you're constantly running for your next product so that you can supply to the inventory.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty, for one, practicing what you preach, constant learning, those are kind of the things that I kind of live by, so showing up, being loyal, always bettering yourself in any way that you can, you know, that's why I went back and got my AI certification, and just, being a good person at the end of the day.
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