# Sara Cawley

**Cyber & IT Audit Risk Advisory Intern** — Claremont, CA, United States

> Data science student with hands-on experience in cybersecurity auditing, risk advisory, and research. Built ML models, conducted SOX and SOC 2 testing, and contributed to cognitive aging research.

Career Archetype: **All-Terrain Summiteer** (HB-DX) — One of the first All-Terrain Summiteers on Saywise

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sara-cawley-980443195

## Experience

### Cyber & IT Audit Risk Advisory Intern, Baker Tilly US (2026-06 – 2026-08)
Irvine, California, United States · Performed ITGC SOX testing across authentication, user access, and change management controls. Tested SOC 1 Type 2 controls for loan administration. Updated IPE validation language for SQL queries and built a custom GPT to automate internal workflows as part of an AI capstone project.

### Cybersecurity Risk Advisory Intern, Baker Tilly US (2025-06 – 2025-08)
Chicago, Illinois, United States · Conducted interviews and risk assessments for Agentic AI integration into internal processes. Performed HITRUST and SOC 2 controls testing across healthcare analytics and marketing systems. Synthesized audit findings into IT security reports and supported NIST readiness efforts.

### Private Equity Summer Analyst, Oceanview Capital Partners, Inc. (2024-05 – 2024-08)
Glendale, California, United States · Analyzed staff response time data for healthcare concierge company, identifying operational inefficiencies and recommending improvements. Pitched automation software to a healthcare company managing 250+ staff across LA County. Shadowed sell-side M&A advisory on a dental software transaction.

### Umanath Memory & Aging Lab Research Assistant, Umanath Memory & Aging Lab (2024-01 – 2026-02)
Claremont, California, United States · Supported experimental cognitive aging study investigating age-related differences in knowledge, memory, and intelligence self-assessments. Conducted 90–120 minute lab sessions administering cognitive assessments. Recruited older adult participants and authored the Methods section of a manuscript under review.

### Residential Coordinator, Scripps College (2023-08 – 2024-06)
Claremont, California, United States · Served as resource person and community builder for 120 undergraduate residents. Provided roommate conflict mediation and de-escalated resident disagreements. Hosted weekly community hours and designed monthly educational bulletin boards.

### Business & Finance Manager, The Student Life Newspaper (2022-08 – 2024-08)
Claremont, California, United States · Organized twice-weekly staff meetings for 13 writers across 20 news cycles. Assigned, edited, and published 7–10 articles weekly. Researched and wrote 1–3 articles weekly with reporting and interviews.

## Education

### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Semester Abroad, The Swedish Program at Stockholm School of Economics (2025-08 – 2025-12)

### Bachelor of Arts in Data Science, Minor in Psychology, Scripps College (2023-09 – 2026-06)
Cumulative GPA: 3.6/4.0, James E. Scripps Scholar

### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Major: Data Science - Minor: Psychology, Scripps College (2022-08 – 2026-12)

### High School Diploma, Walter Payton College Preparatory High School (2018-01 – 2022-01)
Activities and societies: - Founder and president of Positive Mental Health Association - Captain of varsity swim & water polo teams - National Honors Society & National Latin Honors Society - Education Group Chair for the Mayor of Chicago's Youth Commission

## Projects

### Predicting College Persistence Using XGBoost & SHAP
ML model to predict first-year college persistence from Chicago Public Schools data · Built XGBoost models to predict first-year college persistence using multi-year Chicago Public Schools data. Evaluated model performance against R² and RMSE. Analyzed feature importance using SHAP values and compared feature stability across academic years to assess model robustness.

## Skills

Python, R, SQL, JavaScript, pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, XGBoost, SHAP, PyTorch, tidyverse, ggplot2, Git, Excel, SPSS, Qualtrics, Jupyter Notebook, RStudio, Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Data Visualization, Experimental Design, Regression Analysis, SOX Testing, HITRUST, SOC 2, NIST

## Credentials

- **Best News Series & Best Social Justice Coverage** — California College Media Association (issued 2024-03)
- **Best News Series** — California College Media Association (issued 2023-03)
- **James E. Scripps Scholarship** — Scripps College (issued 2022-06)
- **Senior Scholastic Player of the Year** — Illinois Water Polo (issued 2022-05)
- **AP Scholar with Distinction** — College Board (issued 2022-03)
- **Academic All-American** — USA Water Polo (issued 2020-01)

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Source: https://saywise.com/member9117 (last modified 2026-10-07T04:18:08.355Z)