Her Story
About Derenda
I've been in two-way radio communications for at least 40 years, having taken over our family business. I grew up in this line of work and wanted to do it since I was young, but didn't get the opportunity until I graduated. I'm mostly self-taught, though I've had some vocational classes and specialty training from manufacturers. I learned from the bottom up, starting in sales, then installing equipment in people's vehicles, and eventually learning to fix broken radios, resolve problems, program them, and get them back to customers in functioning order - just like taking your car to a mechanic. My day involves scheduling and managing employees, making sure they have the tools and knowledge to complete their job tasks based on different services we need to provide. I provide technical support to customers who call in and ensure we have our inventory complete to fulfill customers' needs. What I'm most proud of is my customer support - I'm totally accessible to my clients with direct connect, not having a secretary screen my calls. I started before cellular technology existed, so I've seen tremendous changes in communications technology over the years, which allows me to constantly be learning new things.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Derenda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, determination, and being willing to keep learning. I still learn at this point in my life. Even after 40 years in this field, the way communications has changed allows me to constantly be learning new things about technology. I'm mostly self-taught and learned from the bottom up, which has given me a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the business from sales to installation to repair.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Work hard, don't be afraid to try things and teach yourself. Because in this field, there's not a lot of training anymore. Just keep plugging at it. The biggest challenge is trying to compete with the men in the workforce - they get a little bit more opportunities than women in my line of work. But the market has opened up quite a bit. Back in the day, there was hardly anybody that would do what I do. Now the market is quite opened up for women in this field.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is trying to compete with the men in the workforce. They get a little bit more opportunities than women in my line of work. Back in the day, there was hardly anybody that would do what I do. Now the market is quite opened up for women in this field. As for opportunities, it allows me to work with a variety of different professionals, and the way communications has changed, it allows me to constantly be learning new things about technology.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are loyalty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. These guide both my professional relationships with clients and employees, and my personal life. I believe in being totally accessible to my clients and maintaining direct connections with them, which reflects my commitment to integrity and strong work ethic.
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