Professional Progression… Meet Sara Zayed!

In the next edition of our “Professional Progression” series, we are excited to share Sara’s journey so far at professional.

• How did you get into working for a security company? And what made you want to work at professional?

To be honest, I hadn’t really considered security as a career before! A friend of mine, who worked as a Solutions Champion at Professional Security, encouraged me to apply for a crew position.

It was my first office-based role, and I was really excited about stepping into something new and gaining fresh skills — and I have!

• Give an overview of your role at Professional Security. What do you do daily?

I work as a Project Lead in the SOC (Security Operations Centre), and like the department itself, my role is flexible and hands-on.

I support new projects when they come on board, like the Whole Foods contract, by recruiting and vetting officers, setting up schedules on our system, and making sure everything runs smoothly.

My role also includes constant communication with officers, clients, and other departments — dealing with queries, complaints, and everything in between!

• Were you aware of the career opportunities available in the industry when you first started?

Not at all! I didn’t know much about the security industry before joining Professional. But since starting, I’ve learned an incredible amount — not just about the industry, but about how many different directions you can grow within it.

• What’s the most enjoyable aspect of working at Professional Security?

I absolutely love the admin and data side of my role, which is why I’ve taken on a Data Technician apprenticeship. It plays to my strengths and gives me the chance to really get stuck into the type of work I enjoy most.

• What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?

“Get outside your comfort zone.” It sounds simple, but it’s so true. You’ll never grow or discover new abilities if you stick to what you know.

Trying something new can be scary, but it’s also where the biggest growth happens — and you might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.

• What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone currently working on the frontline who wants to progress?

Be curious and ask questions — about everything. I’m always asking (probably to the point of being annoying!) because I believe understanding the “why” behind tasks helps you do them better.

That curiosity has really helped me progress in my own career here.

• Tell us one surprising fact about you.

It might not be shocking to everyone, but I can solve a Rubik’s Cube — and my personal best time is 1 minute and 15 seconds!