Former US Navy Pilot Sarah Blake trains at Duke for her biggest career flight

Sarah Blake started her military career as a helicopter pilot in the US Navy in 2017. After 4 years, she became a Senate liaison for the US Navy, being charged with the planning and execution of international Congressional Delegations. Last spring, Sarah became a flag aid for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Installations, and Logistics. During this time, she discovered her interest in national security and decided to build a career in this field. After she graduated from the Duke Master of National Security, she decided to continue her studies and joined the Duke Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Online in Fall 2024. Recently, Sarah was awarded an internship with the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. In this brief interview, Sarah Blake shares why she applied to Duke and what the Cybersecurity Program taught her.

Why did you apply for the ME in Cybersecurity? What career goals did you come to Duke with?

I applied to the ME in Cybersecurity after taking an elective at the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy during the Master of National Security Policy Program. After one semester, I discovered that I had a deep interest in cybersecurity. I wanted to gain the educational foundation to pivot my career to cybersecurity after I transitioned from the military to the civilian sector.

Have you found your internship? If so, how have you secured it?

I found my internship via the USA Jobs website while searching for open cybersecurity roles within the federal government. I applied to the Virtual Student Federal Service internship program and was accepted to work with the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

Can you name 2-3 of the most important skills you gained during the program?

This program will certainly teach you the technical concepts of cybersecurity and give you many practical skills for a career in cybersecurity. I gained a deep understanding of the domain’s crosscutting nature and how important it is to collaborate across disciplines. I also learned the importance of effective communication both within cyber teams and with stakeholders both within and outside of an organization.

What do you like most about the Duke Cyber program?

Due to its size and outstanding leadership from the program directors, I enjoyed the personal nature of this program. Even though I am an online student, an immersion program at the beginning of the degree made me feel like part of the Duke campus and a valued member of the cohort.

Can you name one course that you found particularly important or relevant to you and why?

Cybersecurity and National Security Law and Policy are directly relevant to my career goals of working at the intersection of cybersecurity and national security. It was an outstanding class taught by Professor David Hoffman. It is an excellent example of the holistic approach this degree program takes to cybersecurity and focuses on the impact of cybersecurity in every facet of life, in addition to the technical offerings.