Hack My Career: Saskia Braucher – Source:www.hackerone.com

Hack My Career is a special edition in which we share HackerOne employees’ career journeys and how they arrived at their current roles. We talked to Saskia Braucher, Manager, Mediation, about her unique path and asked her to share insights into her career.

When Saskia joined the tech world, she didn’t follow the conventional path of computer science degrees or coding boot camps. Instead, her journey was shaped by skills she honed in customer service, a deep sense of empathy, and a persistent belief in the power of adaptability. 

“I started my career in customer service, working in retail and then a call center in Ireland. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me the importance of empathetic de-escalation and creating world-class customer experiences.”

When Saskia joined HackerOne in 2020 as an Employee Success Coordinator, she couldn’t have predicted how the pandemic would reshape her career. With the office closing and recruiting temporarily paused, she faced a pivotal moment.

“I leaned into my strengths, as a seasoned support aficionado, and set my sights on a team with a unique, yet powerful mission that needed more support – HackerOne Mediation.”

Turning Soft Skills into Hard Results

One of the most valuable lessons Saskia learned was that the skills she brought from her non-tech background were not only applicable but transformative in her new career.

“No matter where you are in an organization, empathy, open-mindedness, and collaboration are essential. When teams work together, we create solutions that truly benefit our customers and hackers. That’s how we #win-as-a-team.”

Her passion for learning and tenacity also played key roles in her growth. She believes that asking questions and remaining adaptable is crucial in an industry defined by constant change.

“Education is a lifelong journey, and there’s no such thing as a stupid question. If you don’t know—ask, so you will know.”

Advice for Career Changers

For those hesitant to transition into a career in tech without a traditional background, Saskia has simple but impactful advice: be curious, adaptable, and willing to take risks.

“I read a quote once that said, ‘A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.’ You’ll never know unless you try. Take that leap, whether it’s a new career path or a bold process change. You might fail—or you might find it’s the best decision you ever made.”

Saskia’s story shows that there’s no single path into the tech world—it’s about creating your own. Success comes from showing up with your unique strengths, staying curious, and embracing change, even when it feels uncertain. Her journey highlights the value of taking risks and staying true to yourself every step of the way.