Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Smith.
Summer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Summer, I’m 25 years old and I am originally from Atlanta, GA, but I was raised in Farmington, NM which is northwest New Mexico near the Four Corners where UT, AZ, CO, and NM all touch. I left for the Navy straight out of high school in 2014. I was and still am in the Navy. I’m military law enforcement and I served 4 years active duty and 1 year in the Navy reserves so far. Due to the military, I’ve lived in Virginia and San Diego, and I pretty much moved from coast to coast. After my time of being active duty, I left San Diego and went home to New Mexico to figure out a plan for myself. Moving back in with my mom was quite difficult to adjust to because, at one point, I kind of felt embarrassed moving back home, but I realized that having support from my family like that, is something I’ll never take for granted. I used that time period to figure out what I wanted for myself in regards to getting myself established post-Navy. Establishing yourself when separating from active-duty military can be difficult and it’s something most people don’t talk about. Thankfully, due to my military experience as a military law enforcement dispatcher and corrections officer, I was able to obtain a job with Dallas Police Department as a Police Dispatcher. I’ve been with the department for about 6 months and this job is everything I imagined. The hiring process was very tedious and took about 5 months, but to me, it was worth it. I had 2 days to pack my car and my dog and travel to Dallas in order to make it on time for my start date. I lived in a hotel for about a month then I was able to get my first ever apartment. Everything was such a huge transition, but I took it day by day. Moving to a new city is nothing new for me, but this is my first time that I’ve moved to a city where it was all on my own without the military’s support. I suppose you can say this move to Dallas has harbored a lot of growth; I’ve started a whole new life. New city, new job, new home, new settings, new friends, new “favorite spots,” new everything. I’m grateful for the process and I’ve learned how to embrace change even more. Dallas is my new home where I plan on settling down, I look forward to new experiences and Opportunites this city has for me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it was a smooth road, but it seemed as though every obstacle or stressor had a solution or it magically worked out, which I give up to God. I kept my faith in knowing and feeling as though I was meant for this, I am where I need to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So, as I mentioned before, I’m a Police Dispatcher with Dallas Police Department and I work with the police elements on the calls that come through our 911 call takers. A brief overview, I dispatch calls to our police elements, I enter data and call information in our computer system for record-keeping, I help maintain effective communication between operations, coordinate with Patrol Sergeants and backup units, I also help coordinate with the fire department if they’re needed for certain incidents, I also make certain notifications of pertinent information in regards to crime scene, detectives, or wreckers for accidents. When I first started this job, I struggled a little bit with the radio jargon as it differs from the military, but over time I got hang of it. I also have a slight speech impediment, so speaking on the radio would make me nervous and I would end up stuttering more than I’d like to. It wasn’t until I got more comfortable and more confident is when the stuttering kind of slowed down, but still, I’ll have days where I struggle sometimes. Overall, this job has allowed me to become more confident in myself and trust in my abilities. Sometimes I forget how capable I am of doing things, but this entire process has shown me that I am able. I think what sets me apart is my positive attitude and ability to stay calm during intense situations. Over time, from my past experiences, I’ve been able to handle my emotions and think more logically rather than emotionally and that’s actually passed over into my personal life too. I work well under pressure and I don’t give in to stress.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Romanticize your life and take a moment of gratitude each day. When you romanticize your life, you’re able to appreciate the small daily things you do. I’ve learned to fully indulge myself in the moments of drinking my coffee every morning, or giving my dogs kisses, or letting music take over my soul. I know it sounds so silly or maybe very cliche, but it’s allowed me to love myself and the life I live.
Contact Info:
- Email: summerbodyfitness08@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerbodyfitness_08
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sum.sellers/
Suggest a Story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
