At Paladin, we always like to feature the amazing stories of our women in security rising through the ranks. These have proven to be an excellent read for women in the security industry who might want to expand professionally and follow exemplary footsteps in order to grow in their security careers. This week, we’re featuring Miriam Mounk, a former Paladin member who also transitioned into policing.
Where it All Began
Miriam joined Paladin in May 2019 and started as a Security Officer at a Markham shopping centre in the heart of the Greater Toronto area. “I worked as a Security Officer for about six months before being promoted to Security Dispatcher and helping implement and build the dispatch program within the Security team.” – Miriam shared. Shortly after working as a dispatcher, she had the opportunity to work as lead hand on the team, assisting with calls and training new incoming staff. That is when she was promoted to Security Team Lead, which became a steppingstone in her new role within the Ontario Provincial Police.
A Promotion from Within Example
From the beginning, Miriam found herself in a constant learning curve thanks to the opportunities that our promotion from within philosophy presented. “Working in all of these different roles helped me improve my knowledge and skills required to work with the public in a service environment and better prepare for my future career in policing," Miriam said. She got to experience being in a leadership role throughout her Paladin journey, which increased her confidence to perform in similar roles for the future. “Additionally, my supervisors were continuously supportive and encouraging throughout my time at Paladin, helping with learning opportunities, feedback, and preparation for my future career.”
Putting in the time and hard work contributed to the growth and success of her promotions within Paladin Security.
The Result of Continuous Training
Paladin believes in equipping employees with the best-in-class training and knowledge through specialized courses and continuous mentorship. Early in Miriam’s career with Paladin, she was highly motivated and eager to broaden her knowledge. “The continuous training completed through Paladin helped me gain additional knowledge and experience in the different security topics and practices. It also gave me useful tools that helped in the policing pre-placement course.”
Making a Difference
Miriam decided she wanted to pursue a career in policing when she was in her fourth year of university. She had been surrounded by Law Enforcement topics which started a passion and desire to assist the public and make a difference in her community. Through her Paladin journey, she had a few mentors that supported her along the way. “During my time with Paladin, I had role models from whom I was able to take an example. I am glad I was able to build a close and strong relationship with my colleagues and leaders, as it helped me improve myself and build strong connections for the future.”
The Learning Curve
In our discussion, we talked about some of Miriam’s most significant learning experiences from any mistakes along the way, and this is what she shared. "I learned many lessons during my time with Paladin. One of the most important ones was understanding that making mistakes is okay as long as they are turned into lessons to better yourself for the future. I also learned how different communication styles affect different situations. Understanding that what works in one instance might not work in another made me more adaptable to new situations.”
Women in Security
At Paladin, we celebrate diversity and inclusion and take pride in showcasing the fantastic stories of many women in security. “When I was at Paladin, it was refreshing to see women being featured in the stories and noticing that there are many more women involved in the company and the industry,” Miriam said.
She also talked about what the world of policing looks like for successful women like Miriam these days. “I work in the communications part of policing. As the first point of contact of the public to police, the majority are usually women. There is a strong supportive environment from both uniform and civilian members. I am planning to make my transition into uniform within policing, and I believe that there are really good opportunities for more women to be seen on the front lines of law enforcement."
Her Advice for Young Security Professionals
“If you are looking to go into a career in Law Enforcement, the best positions to work in are those involved in customer service and interacting with the public. Roles that showcase and involve a high level of communication and problem-solving are always valued. Positions of leadership and mentorship are valuable to showcase your ability to be a leader and support others. All three of my roles during my time with Paladin were beneficial for my application to policing.
“The best piece of advice I could give for someone looking to move up within Paladin and potentially aim toward a career in policing is: don't be scared to ask questions, look for learning and growing opportunities, be a leader within your role no matter what your role is, and build strong connections.”
Check out our careers page for all our opportunities within Paladin. We would love to see you take your professional journey to the next level.
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