ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Without a vision of where you want your career to go you can’t make that into reality said Tina Lhamon, the Air Force Sustainment Center’s director of Personnel.
Lhamon visited with junior members of the civilian workforce April 7 and provided mentorship, guidance and advice for everyone in the civilian sector. She explained that a job is what you make of it.
“If you make it to be the best job you’ve ever had and enjoy the work you do, the chances are that you’ll be recognized,” she said. “The reputation you’re building now can and will have an impact on where you end up. The recommendations you receive will probably be from people you don’t personally know but they know you based on your reputation.”
Building up your reputation can be a long and difficult process but if you’re doing your job with a passion and love what you do people will see that and feed off of it. Everyone you come into contact with some capacity for networking; to recommend you to someone or not recommend you. Being honest and true to yourself with help you build a team based on respect and partnerships.
“Don’t be negative,” she said. “I’ve seen negativity poison organizations and cripple them to the point that they can no longer operate.” Another piece of advice Lhamon expressed is to not ever pass up an opportunity for higher education, whether it’s pursuing another degree or taking advantage of professional military education courses.
“We are civilians but we are in a military world and we are the power houses that deliver Air Power,” she said. “We must understand their world and be able to effectively communicate. This is our job, this is what PME does.
“At some point in your careers, you are going to use what PME has taught you.”
Finally, dress for the job you want and keep your cellphones out of meetings. You’re not just representing yourself, you’re representing your organization she explained. If you want to be a senior leader, dress and act like it.
“When was the last time a cellphone promoted you?” she said. “Never.
“Bringing your cellphones and playing on them during a conference tells your leaders that you aren’t interested,” she added. “I cannot promote you if I don’t know what your capabilities are because you’re disengaged. Share your ideas and if you don’t agree with something, speak up!”
Lhamon ended her discussion with a question posed to every member of the workforce.
“Are there any programs we can offer to help bridge the gap between the older and newer civilian folks? If so, let me know.”