Her Story
About Melissa
I have been in the security industry for about 9 and a half to 10 years, and security was my first career path after graduating from film university in 2018. I come from a family of law enforcement - my father is a retired police officer, my cousin is a police officer, and her husband is a police officer - so it's really a family of law enforcement. But I didn't want the gun and badge; I just wanted something that was meaningful but not exactly what they do. Currently, I am a manager for security in a psychiatric facility, where I oversee employees and manage day-to-day operations in a facility that only houses psychiatric patients. My work involves dealing with visitors, responding to codes for aggressive patients, and handling de-escalation situations. Being a female in a very male-dominated field has always been a challenge, but I've developed the confidence and resilience to be in the position that I'm in through my experiences over the years.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I speak up for myself and earn my respect through consistency and professionalism. I'm dependable, knowledgeable, and I treat others the way that I want to be treated, with respect. I've had experiences over the 9 years that have helped me develop the confidence and resilience that I have to be in the position that I'm in. Being a female in a very male-dominated field has always been a challenge, but I've learned to overcome that through my work ethic and by staying true to my values.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to not count myself out of an opportunity just because of being a female in this field. My boss is a female, and she's very big on the idea that just because we're females doesn't mean that we can't do this job, and we can do it just as well as the males can. Having that support has been huge for me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I like to tell people that if you're confident in yourself and what you can do, it should not matter what other people think. I'm confident in how I am and how I work, and what I do, and the skills and the experiences that I've learned. I've become more confident within my role, and I just tell others too, if you do your job and you do your job right, you will gain that confidence, you will gain the knowledge necessary, and as long as you do what you're supposed to do, you don't let anyone tell you anything differently.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value consistency, professionalism, dependability, and knowledge in my work. I treat others the way that I want to be treated, with respect. I believe in speaking up for myself and earning respect through my actions. I'm confident in how I am and how I work, and the skills and experiences that I've learned. As long as I do what I'm supposed to do, I don't let anyone tell me anything differently.
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