Tell us a bit about what you do for SOC.

Tell us about what you do!

I work at a major Department of Energy national security site for the Plans & Operations Department within SOC. Part of my work requires developing and publishing written orders that our Security Protective Force element utilizes on a day-to-day basis. This is mission-critical work to sustain and strengthen the national security site’s Protective Force operations to ensure our Nation’s critical assets are safeguarded, regardless of the potential threat. As an analyst, my position requires strong knowledge of the Department of Energy Directives and Federal Regulations, to name a few.

How did you decide you wanted to pursue this career?

Prior to my current position, I was an Operations Sergeant in the Protective Force. With prior experience in this area, I was attracted to this important leadership position with responsibilities to write orders directly for the guards on station. As a mission-critical element supporting national security, this made me want to be a part of the process. I already had firsthand knowledge in the field and I opted to apply it to improving our support for the guard force.

What would you say is the most challenging part of your job?

When working in the security field, you have to be cognizant that things are ever-changing. The biggest challenge, for me, is learning to shift priorities. You have to be OK with the fact that things are going to come up and priorities are going to change. Then, you have to be able to adapt and execute. If you spend too much time focused on something that is no longer the priority for the sake of putting a check in the box, you’ll find yourself missing important deadlines.

What has changed the most within the industry since you began your career?

Security strategy. With all the events happening in the world today, security has evolved significantly. From tactics to technology, there have been numerous advancements that require extensive training and complex coordination between agencies to better defend against outside threats. It is rewarding to see so many parts of other organizations working together towards a common goal.