04/20/2021
Monstrat Viam Corporal!
Changing Careers: Finding a Rewarding Path and Making a Positive Difference
Story by Sgt. Tricia Andriski, Massachusetts National Guard
Making the decision to change careers may not be easy, but it can lead to rewarding opportunities. Cpl. Ciara O’Connor, 747th Military Police Company, Ware, Mass., made a brave choice to change her career path when she found a new passion for helping others.
Since she was young, O’Connor saw herself becoming a teacher. Seeing her future self in the classroom, she would imagine herself reading books to others and teaching classes. O’Connor wanted the opportunity to be a positive role model for others, especially children.
“I want to be that light, showing them that they are strong, capable and know what they can be,” said O’Connor.
Before graduating high school, O’Connor joined the Massachusetts National Guard. As the first person in her family to join the military, O’Connor saw it as an opportunity to help her community.
“My best friend and I went into the military police. That’s when I realized I have a second passion, for law enforcement and helping others in a different way,” said O’Connor.
O’Connor was accepted into the Protection Partnership Program, a fulltime police academy run in partnership with the Massachusetts National Guard and Massachusetts State Police. The program trains military police and security forces members in civilian law enforcement practices, as well as assists them in finding civilian career opportunities.
“I think it’s a great program, merging the military side of law enforcement with the civilian side,” said O’Connor. “Being able to go back to my unit and show them ways to apply their training has been beneficial. It’s definitely good to be that helpful hand for others.”
Although the military made the transition easier, O’Connor said the decision to change career paths was not easy.
“In the moment I was scared; I was definitely taking a leap of faith,” said O’Connor. “If you’re gut feeling is telling you it’s time for a change, take that leap and go for it. Live out your life fully.”
“No one expected me to become a police officer,” O’Connor said about her family. “They are all very supportive and know this is a hard time for police and military personnel. They’ve been by my side through it all and supported every decision.”
O’Connor is able to be a role model for children and young females by showing them they’re able to take on a different career, one that they might not have believed they could.
“With the younger kids, they’re wide-eyed when they see me. They say ‘Wow, a girl police officer!’” said O’Connor.
O’Connor’s current police chief is supportive of her visiting the local schools, he knows how much it means to her. She is able to encourage the children to believe in themselves and keep looking forward.
“Being able to sit and have lunch with them is the highlight of my day,” said O’Connor.
The career shift has been very rewarding for O’Connor. Being a police officer is a job that has allowed her to help many people, and she hasn’t looked back.
“Seeing peoples’ faces, when you’re there in their most difficult time, they know that you’re there to help them,” said O’Connor. “It’s rewarding knowing that I’m making a difference in other people’s lives.”
PHOTO:
Cpl. Ciara O’Connor, 747th Military Police Company, Ware, Mass., with Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, Massachusetts Adjutant General, and Steven M. Sargent, Chief of the Worcester Police Department, at her graduation from the Police Academy in January, 2020. (Courtesy photo)
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