How long have you been with the Paladin Family?
I joined the Paladin family through the Concord Security merger in March 2017.
Why did you get into the security industry and how has Paladin been since you joined?
I originally got into the industry as a working vacation. At that time, I was in the Tourism Industry working as a department manager at a local ski resort. I had just finished a particularly rough operational season with a lot of long hours and I felt I needed a short break.
I had a completely different view of security when I first started. I pictured a static position where a Security Officer gets assigned to a site and they sit and take notes the whole shift. However, my first posting was in a highly active and public setting. I found it to be one of the more engaging fields to be in— I now find it to be very engaging where every shift is different from another. It’s been great!
I’ve been really happy being with the Paladin Family. The company adds a great element to the security industry and it’s what the Okanagan has been lacking. This is the first time we have a fully integrated security solution.
What interests you most about your job?
It’s the diverse nature of the industry. There are so many different elements to every task and none of it ever gets old. This industry can take you to different directions that suit you.
What advice would you give someone entering in the security industry today?
The best advice I can give someone is to go into the industry with a completely blank slate because the industry today is nothing like anybody expects it to be. Any pre-conceived idea about being a Security Officer is skewed.
I came into the industry with that stereotype, but experiencing it for a while now, it is constantly engaging and it’s a completely different view of the world.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Although my position can involve long hours and emergency call outs, I strongly believe that as long as you have an anchor and a stable hobby, you are able to deal with stress much easier.
I practice Martial arts regularly and I make sure to take my vacations out. As long as there is a regular release of stress points in your life and you find a regular activity, it really makes a difference.
What does “The Paladin Difference” mean to you?
The Paladin Difference really strikes me. Being someone who has just been in the company for less than a year, I’ve learned that it’s a comprehensive security solution. I find that the whole company can work with many different problems and present an integrated solution. It doesn’t just present either a Security Officer or technology solution, it’s everything in the back end. The whole philosophy of the company presents a great depth of knowledge in the industry, the Paladin Difference has unparalleled experience in the field.