SARA MOORE
I am proud to say that I grew up in the beautiful State of Idaho. Not too many people can say that, although not a surprise with a state population of about 1.2 million! I ventured to the hustle and bustle of the East coast for college and graduated with majors in business management and psychology from Pennsylvania State University. During college I had several ideas about what to do when I “grew up.” Coming from a family of academics and doctors my uncertainty about what my career path should be was not welcomed with open arms. So I kicked off a major effort to explore as many career opportunities as necessary until I found what could work as my first step.
As it turned out, I landed my first real job in Reston, VA in 1998 with Sprint (a telecommunications company). I was hired to go through an executive training program that focused on learning telecommunication technologies. It was an intense, fiercely competitive, 10-week training program. After happily making it through the training program alive, I had the opportunity to move around and experience different aspects of the company. The longest (and most noteworthy) role I held was with the Sprint E|Solution – a new business unit start up. My focus was product development/management and marketing support for a new suite of web hosting and IP communication services.
While I enjoyed my work at Sprint and found it intellectually rewarding, I was missing something. I wanted my day-to-day activities to make a real difference to someone and to make a contribution to a bigger cause. After much self exploration, I decided to transition my focus to government and public safety. I started working with SRA International/Touchstone Consulting Group and had the privilege to work with various clients including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense supporting communication interoperability initiatives and technology programs in service of improving public safety and emergency preparedness.
During this time I began further exploring another passion of mine – photography. I became fascinated with photojournalism and the power of a photograph - how a single image can be used to tell a whole story. My mind was exploding with ideas of how to incorporate photography in the work I was doing with public safety and emergency preparedness. So much of what we did relied on visual aids to help relay complex strategies or communicate a vision. Unfortunately, there was not an immediate connection between work and photography, but I decided to continue exploring photography/digital imaging at the Corcoran and in Arlington County. I was amazed that with the proliferation of the Internet and the advancements in digital technology how quickly visual information can be created and shared.
After much debate (and tremendous support from my husband) I decided to take leave from my job and attend Boston University’s Center for Digital Imaging Arts – which is a center within Boston University that specifically specializes in photography, filmmaking, graphic and web design, and 3D animation. In 2006, I earned my photography degree and went on to start a photography business specializing in environmental portraiture and photographic storytelling (which I still enjoy during my spare time).
When I arrived back to DC, I learned that Boston University was expanding the Center to Washington, DC – right in my backyard! Ironically, they asked me to get involved with the expansion and I ended up spending almost 2 years as Campus Director where I oversaw the build out, launch, and overall campus operations for the new school – one of my alma maters! What a privilege.
Fast forward to present day, I am excited to say that I am back working with the public safety community. I continue to stay linked to photography and the school. In fact, I am returning as a part-time student to study graphic and web design.
