Professional Progression… Meet Sara Zayed!

Professional Security Career Progression: Sara’s Journey So Far

In this edition of our Professional Progression series, we’re excited to spotlight Sara, whose journey shows just how many opportunities there are within Professional Security.

How did you get into working for a security company?

To be honest, I hadn’t really considered security as a career! A friend 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 excited to try something new and build fresh skills — which I definitely have.

What does your role at Professional Security involve?

I’m a Project Lead in the Security Operations Centre (SOC). Like the SOC itself, my role is flexible and hands-on.

I support new projects when they launch. For example, when the Whole Foods contract came on board, I handled recruitment and vetting of officers, set up schedules in our system, and ensured everything ran smoothly.

My role also involves constant communication with officers, clients, and other departments — dealing with queries, complaints, updates, and everything in between.

Were you aware of the career opportunities within the industry when you first started?

Not at all! I knew very little about the security industry before joining Professional. 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 part of working at Professional Security?

I absolutely love the admin and data side of my role. That’s why I’ve started a Data Technician apprenticeship. It plays to my strengths and lets me focus on the kind of work I enjoy most.

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

“Get outside your comfort zone.” It’s simple, but it’s true. You’ll never grow if you only do what you already know. Trying something new can be scary, but it’s where the biggest growth happens — and you might surprise yourself.

What advice would you give to frontline staff wanting to progress?

Be curious and ask questions. Ask about everything. I ask a lot of questions (probably too many!), but understanding the “why” helps you do your job better.

That curiosity has helped me progress more than anything else.

Tell us one surprising fact about you

It might not shock everyone, but I can solve a Rubik’s Cube. My personal best time is 1 minute and 15 seconds!