Our staff spotlight is our blog series where we get up-close and personal with our amazing team members at Sophos.
Up next is Arkita Thakkar, Technical Solutions Engineer.
Let's Talk Career
1. Can you tell us about your role at Sophos?
I am working as a Technical Support Engineer. It involves handling escalation calls, mentoring and assisting in support operations whenever & wherever required.
2. How did you get to the role you're in now?
I joined Sophos in August 2016 right after my graduation, as a member of the Global Support Team with the tag Technical Support Engineer 1-1. Over time, I enhanced my technical skills along with my customer handling capabilities which helped me level up to Senior L2 engineer.
3. What inspired you to get into IT and security?
I believe that inspiration always comes from the base of your intrinsic nature. From my early adolescents days, IT and security always fascinated me and I was quite inclined towards the problem-solving aspect of things. This prompted me to dive deep into this domain which required an aptitude for understanding and the urge to come up with the best solution. The environment I was in was not tech-savvy, so I would often help out with tech-related stuff. Over time, I developed good acumen to pursue it as a profession.
4. What do you enjoy most about your role?
I would say that the dynamic nature of challenges thrills me the most. Every day, I would witness some new technical incident or query that gets me head-scratching and pushes me to come up with a solution.
5. What's something you've done during your time in the organization that you're proud of?
Sophos has taught me many things on a personal and professional front which has helped me grow and evolve. However, the highlight would always be the teammates that I have trained during my tenure. It brings me utmost joy to see them performing well and achieving great heights in their career.
6. Describe a typical day in your Sophos life.
Ordinarily, I start my day by checking my mailbox to plan it in the smoothest way possible. As per the schedule, I would start with support operation chores along with escalation calls and technical mentorship to help my team. I would take some time out to work on projects that help make a difference in the support process.
7. What's the best advice you can give to someone who has just started their career?
Good things come to those who diversify. Always try to take the challenging tasks because you learn when you work on unexpected and out-of-the-box situations. The most successful people are flexible, agile, and know how to pivot. Make sure you're prepared to get the most out of every opportunity, whatever form it takes.
8. What would you do (for a career) if you weren't doing this?
I would be in the culinary business! And if all went well, by now, I would own a cake shop.
Role in the Sophos Community
9. What's a fun fact about you that you could share with the Community?
I have recently grown an interest in reading novels and specifically, I have developed an inclination towards reading "Gujarati" novels which have never been my forte.
10. Have you posted any Recommended Read guides on the Community?
So far, I have created the docs listed below and I'm planning to write more in the near future.
Who is Arkita?
11. What are your hobbies outside of work?
Painting and cooking are the two things that make me happy apart from my professional work.
12. What's one thing you're really bad at?
I am "aquaphobic" but also a nature lover. By next year, I would love to push my limits and try out scuba-diving to overcome my fear of water and explore the depths of oceanic beauty.
13. What's one thing you're really good at?
I would like to think that I am good at communicating and connecting with people. This quality stems from understanding their mindset and exercising empathy towards another person. This has helped me connect with people breaking their barriers and allowing fluid conversation with them in difficult times.
14. If you could learn how to do anything, what would it be?
Unquestionably, self-defence tricks. I feel it is the most essential skill that all women should learn. In fact, schools should add it to the academic curriculum.
15. Tell us about where you live (and your journey getting there - if applicable).
I am born and brought up in Vadodara - the second-largest city in the state of Gujarat. My city is famous as the cultural capital (the city is known as ‘Sanskari Nagari’) of Gujarat as well as a center of educational activities.
16. What's your favorite thing about where you live?
Vadodara is dynamic and cognizant of its heritage and culture. Worldwide, it is also known for the celebratory Festival – Navratri, which is celebrated for nine nights. During these days, the people of the city perform - Garba, a popular folk dance of Gujarat and I truly believe that is the best in town.
17.Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I absolutely hate to eat/drink some things that most people love - for an example, I do not drink tea - which is the most common favorite drink in India.
18. Any favorite line from a movie?
“Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye… lambi nahi” – From the movie Anand, 1971.
19. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Indeed, it would be Time-travel! Living the old cheerful moments with people you have lost (for any reason) is the ultimate happiness. And knowing the future is a desire of all human beings on earth, and I'm no exception.
20. What’s your favourite meme that you probably share often among your friends?
There are many memes which I share with my friends as per the situation, but as per trend, the best among all is...
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