Looking back over my career — heck my life even — I would have done so much differently. But of course I, like most other teens graduating high school I suppose, thought I knew it all and had plenty of time to get “stuff” done. I remember not being able to wait and graduate, get a full-time job, get an apartment and start my life. While most of my friends went to college, I settled down with my high school sweetheart, got married and started our family. For a short time, I worked for the county as a receptionist until I saw an ad for a 9-1-1 operator with the city. Instantly, I was intrigued and knew I wanted to do it. I applied, sat in radio one night and was hooked. So for $6.21 hour I started my career in public safety.

The city was a small agency and we didn’t have supervisors or a manager. We fell under an operations sergeant who was there Monday through Friday. Of course, we were not his only responsibility, so we were pretty much on our own most of the time. You can imagine what it was like, a roomful of women left to their own devices. I felt sorry for the three men who worked with us. They were probably overrun with waves of estrogen. This was the days of, “Fit in or get out!”

I remember having so many ideas to streamline, make things better and so wanted to move up. But sadly there was really nowhere to go. When our sergeant retired, they handed us off to several different lieutenants who really didn’t want us or know how to manage a bunch of civilians. We always called ourselves the red-headed step child that no one wanted. We were a different kind of animal, and every year we had to “start over” with a new supervisor and all the promises of “things will be different this time.” We seasoned operators knew it would never change until they gave us someone who was totally committed to communications and not forced to supervise us. I finally decided that if I was going to get anywhere in the communications field that I needed to make a change. Don’t get me wrong, if I had never worked there I would never have gained the experience to make me the dispatcher I am today, and I would never have gotten to work with and meet the most awesome, hardworking, amazing people I know in public safety. This move was for me. Which brings me to my point: I needed goals.

I get really aggravated with myself when I look back and realize how much further along I would be today if I had just set some career goals and stuck to them. I was 40 when I moved to the county. Here I met some even more amazing people. I talked about my training coordinator last month, saying that she has encouraged and helped me over the past several years meet some of my goals and even make bigger ones that I never would have even thought of pursuing. I now have the luxury of extra training, special projects and participation in committees and conferences. So, what took me half my adult life to learn, I would like to pass on to you, particularly you young ones just starting out.

The first thing I would like to impart to you is this:

Love what you do. If you are doing this job for a paycheck, then you need to find something else. If you are miserable at work, believe me when I say you are probably making everyone else miserable too. This profession is way too important for someone to not have their heart and soul in it. Too much is at stake for you to come in and do whatever it takes to just get by. If you love what you do, then it won’t be just a job to you. My favorite saying is “911, it’s not a job; it’s a calling.” And I truly believe that. Not only is the public depending on you, but your co-workers and their families, your supervisors and your department are depending on you when the going gets rough.

Set goals. I know this is something that you have heard all your life, but it is so true. Set short-range goals that are easily attained, then set long-range goals. Make sure you make them realistic. Nothing will break your resolve faster than setting a goal, getting half way there and then failing. Make sure it is something that is doable and something reasonable. Make sure it is something that you can gain on your own, so that you don’t have to rely on anyone else to get you there. It’s your life and your career. Winning the lottery by age 25 (or whatever age for that matter) is not realistic.

Surround yourself with positive people. It is too easy to get wrapped up in the drama and negativism that seems to infest the centers around the country. If you follow others who have a negative outlook on life or work, you will soon see that you won’t be going anywhere soon. It has been my experience that most of the time, the grumblers, complainers and whiners are still sitting in the same chairs they were when they started out and are not likely to see any changes any time soon. Positive people will encourage you, cheer you on and compliment you, not drag you down. Just look around, you will pick them out of a crowd easily. Find yourself a mentor who will be your biggest cheerleader.

Communicate your aspirations. Talk with supervisors and managers and let them know your desire to advance. Seek advice from those who have walked ahead of you. If they are great managers, they will be happy to help you along your journey. Most great managers and supervisors had a mentor to help them along. Most departments have a career development section on their annual evaluations. Your supervisor can help you develop your career goals; even if they may lead you outside the communications center.

Finally, go to school. I wish I had had the motivation to go to school right out of high school instead of trying to play catch up now. Ask anyone with a family and full-time job who is trying to go back to school to get their degree or gain their Bachelors or master’s degree how much fun it is to accomplish this. If you’re lucky enough to have a tuition reimbursement program at your department, please take advantage of it. It can only help you in the long run and help you in attaining any goals for advancement. There are several public safety management degrees that are available to us now. Our profession is ever developing and becoming specialized. No longer can you just sit someone in the communication center and set them loose on the phones or radio without any training.

These are just a few examples of the benefits of setting career goals and investing in your profession. Just remember how important you are and how critical what you do is. Whether you are in the field or in the comm center you are amazing and not everyone can do what we do. Individually you are great but together as a family we can accomplish anything!

Be safe my family!

About the Author
Cindra Dunaway is a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Lee County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. Contact her via e-mail at [email protected].