Just a quick update on the Rebel...

[rebel100]

All that right back at you Burbuja0512 (Bubbles)!

I attended graduation vicariously through your pics. My resume reads the way it does because of your advice. My linked in profile was inspired by you!

I'm happy to see you up here again, YOU ARE THE BEST!

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You know the volunteering for things really has been key.

Had a coach in high school who once told us that the key to success at work was to always be busy. He submitted that you should do your job well, then look for the next thing to move the businesses mission along. What really stuck was that someone piped up and said..."there ain't nothing to do once my work is done" to which Coach responded "do they have a broom"? Point being there is always something that needs our attention, rising to the top is often a function of demonstrating desire and willingness.

Some things I raised my hand for:

I made it know that if it needed to be written (like a policy/procedure) I would do it. This meant that I quickly got to do some things outside of my wheelhouse, and I got to be in with the groups deciding policy...it's always high profile.

Need someone to come in at night or on the weekend? I'm your guy, send me.

Everyone wants to be that day shift manager that gets time with the boss at the fun events. We recently met a milestone and ice cream social's were provided to the employees. Day shift saw every manager in the building jostling for a visible position next to the company VP and President.....I skipped that crap all together, came in on the night shift. Me, one other manager, the CNO, COO, CFO....the five of us sat around a good part of the evening talking and co participating in this feel good event. Be tactical with your time.

About a year off the ambulance and into the hospital job the director of security fell ill. I didn't ask anyone, I just started assuming his smaller roles. I went to meetings on his behalf, scheduled his employees, had folks bring me their issues. By the time we realized this manager wasn't coming back I had been doing the job for months...I was promoited and his departments became mine, staff doubled. I even got retro pay (not enough, but some). my bosses boss later told me that he had never realized I had the skills to lead such a group until he realized I was doing it...same guy calls me for career advice now.

There is a whole hilarious story about how I ended up on the corporate Ebola team. Basically put myself out there as the only person who had ever treated a patient in bunker gear and became the de-facto expert. Can't express what an important turning point this ended up being for me.

I also stay busy as a volunteer with the county in disaster response. This has led to command positions at huge events like the Electric Daisy Carnival...visible jobs that don't actually require much time yet are important and bring notice.

In fact, if you don't have that payed job yet....go volunteer in something related, network, get to know people...it's perhaps more important than the degree.

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I also mentor anyone, ANYONE interested in alternative higher education. When you give freely of your time and expertise you build strong relationships. Folks have a BS or BA today because I apply things we do on this website to their daily lives. It saves them money and time...sometimes it makes it possible for them to pursue their dreams. Make someones dreams come true and they will look for ways to repay that kindness....you can't put a valus to such a relationship.