Q&A: Vice commander on taking control of your career Published Oct. 27, 2011 By Bryan Magaña 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- I recently sat down with Col. Patrick Wade, 419th Fighter Wing vice commander, to talk about how Airmen can take control of their careers. How can Airmen set their sights on career success? There are plenty of opportunities for success and a long career in the Air Force Reserve. It's important that our Airmen have a goal for what do they want to be doing five years down the road, or even at the end of their career. Having a vision will push them to succeed and help them to "own" their careers. What steps can Airmen take to manage their careers? Airmen need to be proactive. The person who cares most about his or her career should be the individual, because that's the person with the most at stake. First, I encourage reservists to share their career goals with their supervisors and commanders. Keep them abreast of your goals so they can help guide you. Airmen should become familiar with the training and professional military education required to meet their goals. They should also know the timeline of upcoming evaluations, and make sure their supervisors know exactly what they're doing and where they're excelling. Sometimes they need to toot their own horns a little bit. Finally, it's important for Airmen to continually reevaluate their careers, because directions may change, and personal issues may arise. It's OK to change paths and seek guidance. Where can reservists look for career guidance/support? We have plenty of resources within the wing, whether it's the first shirt, the career advisor, or a mentor. I've known people who had no idea what they wanted to do with their career, but with guidance from mentors, they've been able to rise up. It's pretty impressive to hear those stories. What career challenges are unique to Reserve service? We're part-time folks - we have two days a month and two weeks a year. We're dealing with a civilian job, our families and our Reserve jobs, which often require full-time attention. But taking control of your career is still very achievable - it just requires a little maintenance on our side. We must enable ourselves to perform at the best level, and although it can be a balancing act, it is possible if we properly prioritize. How can every Airman strive to be a leader? You don't have to be a commander to be a leader. Having a great attitude, rising to the occasion, and excelling at your job is, by default, leadership. People will respond when they see excellence in what you're doing. I've seen some of the finest leaders in the AF Reserve right here in our wing making long, successful careers for themselves, and that's extremely rewarding. Stay connected -- Join the 419th on Facebook and YouTube