From athlete to award-winning sales professional: Growing my sales career at Okta

Sophia Jadallah’s journey from college athlete to sales account executive showcases the immense potential for any driven student-athlete interested in pursuing a sales career at Okta. In this post, Sophia shares her story and offers insights — from intern to Sales Development Representative of the Year to account executive.

My background as a student athlete and how it relates to sales

Before entering the corporate world, my identity was rooted in sports. In high school, at St. Ignatius in San Francisco, I joined the Women’s Rowing Team as a Coxswain and quickly fell in love with the sport. For those unfamiliar with rowing, it requires focus, strategic thinking, and team collaboration. By senior year, I was recruited to be a Coxswain at the Division 1 level for Loyola Marymount University’s (LMU) Women’s Rowing Team.

At LMU, I pursued my degree in the College of Business Administration, specifically focusing on Marketing, with a concentration in Strategy and Brand Management, known as the M-School. It was a rigorous academic track that challenged me to think critically, creatively, and strategically — skills that now serve me every day in my sales career.

Outside of academics, my experience as a student-athlete taught me discipline, time management, teamwork, and how to thrive under pressure — all of which translated seamlessly to a sales career. Balancing over 20 hours of practice a week, race weeks, academics, and a social life prepared me well for the fast-paced, goal-driven environment of sales.

Starting my sales journey at Okta

In a field like sales, resilience, coachability, and the ability to adapt in real time are needed. When people suggested I consider sales, it made perfect sense. The traits that helped me succeed as a Student-Athlete are the same ones that help me succeed in my career today.

My journey with Okta began as a Business Development Representative (BDR) Intern in the summer of 2021. While completing my senior year at LMU, I continued interning with Okta on the Events Team. After graduating from LMU and a summer traveling, I began as a full-time BDR at Okta in August 2022.

Building on the experience I gained as a BDR, I advanced into the next role, Sales Development Representative (SDR), where I was honored to receive the xDR of the Year award and earn a spot in the President’s Club — a recognition vacation reserved for top performers. These honors came as a result of consistently exceeding my goals and achieving over 100% attainment across four consecutive quarters.

The recognition only fueled a fire in me and reaffirmed my passion for sales.  It also opened the door to my current position as an Account Executive (AE). Every step along the way has been about growth — personally and professionally. I credit Okta’s culture, being part of a company that invests in its people and leadership that lifts each other up every step of the way.

Applying for Okta’s Business Development Representative Internship

As a student-athlete, I didn’t have the traditional work experience that many others gain during school. So when it came time to apply and interview, I leaned on the skills and experiences I had as a student-athlete. 

I didn’t know much about Okta before applying, but ahead of my interview, I made a conscious effort to connect with employees who shared similar backgrounds — whether it was attending the same high school, college, or being former student-athletes themselves. These conversations gave me valuable insight into what life at Okta was like.

The more I learned, the more I felt Okta was the right fit. Hearing firsthand experiences from employees made it clear that the company’s values aligned closely with mine. The supportive, yet competitive environment mirrored the team-oriented culture I was used to in sports. That sense of shared purpose immediately resonated with me.

Okta’s internship program

The internship program at Okta was well structured and impactful. From day one, we were immersed in real sales training. I learned the ins and outs of different tools and how to cold call, write strategic emails, and build target prospecting lists. Most importantly, I was able to observe and learn from top-performing reps, many of whom are very successful AEs today.

What I appreciated most was how applicable the internship experience was to a full-time role. There was a clear bridge between what I did as an intern and the expectations of a BDR. The hands-on experience set me up for success and made the transition to full-time seamless.

Okta’s culture

Okta is built on collaboration and high performance — two values any athlete can instantly recognize. Sales, by nature, is competitive, but what sets Okta apart is the way competition is paired with support. Our leadership team doesn’t just set high expectations — they invest in their people, challenge us to grow, and provide the tools, mentorship, and trust we need to succeed.

For someone coming from a team oriented background, this culture felt instantly familiar. At Okta, just like in sports, success is never a solo effort.  Rather, it’s built through shared goals, strong communication, and people who push you to be your best every day.

What excites me most about the future is knowing that Okta will keep pushing boundaries — in identity and in how it develops and empowers its people.

Advice for new grads

If you’re a student-athlete nearing graduation and exploring career paths, I can’t recommend sales enough. It rewards the same characteristics that helped you succeed in sports: discipline, resilience, and teamwork.

My biggest piece of advice? Network. Reach out to alumni, talk to people in the industry, and be curious! Learn about company cultures from the inside before you interview. And don’t be afraid to lean into your athletic background — it’s an asset.

Overall, on this journey, embrace the process, be coachable, and stay competitive. That mindset will take you far.

The path ahead is full of opportunity, and I’m proud to be part of a company that’s equally committed to innovation and growth as it is to fostering a workplace where winning teams thrive.

Join our Sales team

If you’re a student athlete, recent grad, or someone with a competitive spirit, Sales at Okta might just be the perfect fit for you.