Five minutes with Sarah Amarnath

Here at The Missing Link, our people are the engine of our company. We’re immensely proud of their knowledge and expertise, which helps our clients achieve incredible things through IT transformation – but they’re so much more than their job description! In this series, we take a moment to sit down and discuss the weird, wacky, and wonderful parts of our team’s lives that make them who they are.    

Today, we’re speaking to Sarah Amarnath, who has recently hit the ground running as one of our expert Senior Security Sales Executives. Sarah’s remit has a specific focus on government and defence clients. So, let’s take five minutes to get to know Sarah a little better. 

Could you tell us a little bit about your background and where you grew up? 

Of course! I grew up in the Southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. As a hyperactive child, I was always getting up to mischief and my parents had their hands full trying to keep up with me. To channel my energy in a positive direction, they enrolled me in as many after-school sports activities as possible, including basketball, hockey, lifesaving/swimming, the Duke of Edinburgh program, and dance. Looking back, I realize that those early experiences played a significant role in shaping who I am today. 

It sounds like you had a lot going on in your childhood! Did you have any career aspirations you entertained in between your extracurriculars? 

Yes, I had an unlikely dream of becoming a customs officer for some reason! Looking back, I can't quite pinpoint why I was drawn to that profession, but it was something that captured my imagination at the time. But as I grew older and entered high school, my career aspirations took a turn, and I set my sights on becoming a fighter pilot. Top Gun may have played a pivotal role in my decision-making. 

Wow, a pilot. That’s so exciting. What else do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

Alongside my passion for aviation, I've also been fortunate enough to live and travel extensively overseas. These experiences have broadened my horizons, taught me valuable lessons, and given me a deep appreciation for different cultures and ways of life. 

Ok, enough about that insane travel history – we're too jealous to continue! On a more serious note, could you tell us about your first job? 

At 14 years and 9 months, I landed my first job as a sales associate at a local boutique retail store. Although it began as a casual position, I soon transitioned to working part-time on weekends. That job taught me invaluable lessons about responsibility, work ethic, and customer service that have stayed with me. It was great to be able to earn my own money and gain real-world experience at such a young age. 

Since your retail days, you've had quite a varied career journey. What's that been like? 

When I look back on my career, it's been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. If you were to take a peek at my resume, you'd see a veritable cocktail of job titles spanning multiple industries. While some may see this as a sign of indecision or lack of direction, I view it as a strength.  

Each job I've held has equipped me with unique skill sets, training, and industry knowledge that have allowed me to adapt and be agile in changing work environments. I've honed my ability to communicate effectively with different industry stakeholders and, most importantly, to listen and deliver on expectations. While I never imagined I would end up in cyber security, I'm grateful for the diverse background that has prepared me for this challenging and rewarding field. 

That’s a great perspective! So, what motivated you to pursue a career in cyber security in the end? 

Honestly? It was the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and as technology advances, we are more vulnerable than ever before to cyber attacks. By working in cyber security, I'm able to help protect individuals, businesses, and even nations from these threats. 

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in cyber security? 

My advice would be to start by learning as much as possible about the field. There are many resources available online, including courses, tutorials, and forums. Take advantage of these resources and start building your knowledge base.  

It's also important to gain practical experience, so look for opportunities to participate in cybersecurity competitions, hackathons, or internships. And finally, be prepared to work hard and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. Cyber security is a rapidly evolving industry, and you need to be agile and adaptable to succeed. 

What about those who might be intimidated by the technical nature of cyber security? 

I completely understand that cyber security can seem daunting, especially if you don't have a technical background. But the truth is, there are many different roles in cyber security, and not all of them require advanced technical skills. For example, you could work in cyber security policy, compliance, risk management, or even sales. What's most important is a willingness to learn and a passion for protecting people and organisations from cyber threats. 

What's next for you and The Missing Link? 

I'm excited to continue growing and learning in my role at The Missing Link. As a company, we are focused on expanding our capabilities and becoming leaders in emerging markets such as space defence, IoT, robotics, and quantum. We're always looking for new opportunities to innovate and grow, and I'm excited to be a part of that journey.