Mikya Stake

I attribute my success to perseverance, determination, my faith, and the strong support of my parents, family, friends, and coworkers. Throughout my journey in emergency services and higher education, there have been challenges, setbacks, and moments that required resilience and the willingness to continue moving forward. I have learned that success is not achieved overnight, but through consistent effort, hard work, and staying focused on the goals I have set for myself.

My faith has provided me with strength, guidance, and purpose, while my support system has encouraged me to continue pursuing my goals even during difficult times. My parents, family, friends, and coworkers have always believed in my abilities and motivated me to keep growing personally and professionally. Their encouragement has given me the confidence to overcome obstacles, embrace opportunities, and continue striving to become the best version of myself. I believe that perseverance, determination, faith, and the support of those around me have been the foundation of my success and will continue to guide me throughout my career.

The best career advice I have ever received is to keep my head up and stay focused on the goals I have set. A career in emergency services is demanding, and there will be setbacks, difficult calls, and moments of self-doubt. I have learned that perseverance is just as important as skill because success comes from continuing to move forward even when the path becomes challenging. It is important to stay focused on the work directly in front of me while never losing sight of the bigger picture and the long term goals I am working toward. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow, and every difficult situation is temporary. No matter how overwhelming things may seem in the moment, they will get better with time, determination, and the right support. By maintaining perspective, trusting the process, and remembering why I chose this profession and where I came from, I can continue moving forward regardless of the obstacles I encounter.

A successful career in emergency services begins with developing a reputation for competence, professionalism, and integrity. Focus on mastering the fundamentals of your profession, whether that involves patient care, fireground operations, emergency management, communication, or report writing. People quickly recognize those who are dependable, prepared, and able to remain calm under pressure. Commit to lifelong learning by pursuing additional certifications, training opportunities, and leadership development. Physical fitness, mental resilience, and effective communication are equally important because they help you perform at your best during challenging situations and sustain a long, healthy career.

Just as important as technical skills is the way you conduct yourself. Treat coworkers, patients, and members of the public with respect, seek out mentors who encourage your growth, and be willing to mentor others as you gain experience. Protect your integrity by making ethical decisions, admitting when you need to learn something new, and maintaining a humble attitude. Above all, stay true to yourself, remember why you chose this profession, and never forget where you came from. Your character and dedication will leave a lasting impression long after individual calls and incidents have been forgotten.

One of the biggest challenges facing EMS today is provider burnout. EMS agencies are responding to an increasing number of high volume, low acuity calls that consume valuable resources and reduce the availability of ambulances for true emergencies. At the same time, crews often experience prolonged hospital wait times before they can transfer patient care and return to service. Many agencies are also expected to complete inter-facility transfers while remaining responsible for 911 coverage, further stretching already limited resources.

Another significant challenge is the decline of volunteer EMS agencies. Many communities rely heavily on volunteers, yet recruiting and retaining members has become increasingly difficult. Addressing this issue will require support from local communities, state and local governments, and federal policymakers through increased funding, recruitment initiatives, and legislation that strengthens the EMS workforce. Mental health also remains a critical concern. EMS professionals are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents and are often expected to return to service immediately after difficult calls with little time to process what they have experienced. Limited access to mental health resources, combined with the emotional toll of the job, contributes to burnout, compassion fatigue, and workforce turnover. Investing in provider wellness, improving access to mental health services, and strengthening staffing and operational support are essential to ensuring that EMS professionals can continue providing high quality care while maintaining their own well-being.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are my faith in God and integrity. My faith serves as the foundation for my decisions, providing me with strength, purpose, and guidance through both challenges and successes. Integrity is equally important because I believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Together, these values shape the way I treat others, approach my responsibilities, and conduct myself each day.

My faith and integrity also influence the way I lead and serve others. I strive to treat everyone with compassion, kindness, humility, and respect while remaining true to myself and my values. I believe that staying grounded in my faith and maintaining strong moral character allows me to build trust, form meaningful relationships, and make a positive impact both professionally and personally.