The demand for public service professionals is high as the population of the Jacksonville region continues to grow. Earn Up provides helpful resources to explore career pathway options in public service which encompasses a variety of disciplines, including public safety, law enforcement, or public health. A career in public service can occur at the local, state and federal levels and provides career opportunities in an area of one’s professional passion.
A public service is a resource offered by a government agency or private business, intended to support members of a community. Public services include but are not limited to security, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, legal services and emergency management services. These resources are important because they can help maintain the Jacksonville region’s infrastructure, improve its economy and protect the environment.
The Jacksonville region leverages talented professionals at all levels including Special Agent, Transportation Security Specialist, Records Specialist, Dispatcher, Court Program Specialist, Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Transportation Security Officer, Deputy Clerk, Supply Coordinator, Administrative Secretary, Employment Security Representative, Business Analyst and Planner. Public Administrators, Forensic Scientists, Corrections and Probation Officers are also included in this profession.
Individuals can plug into public service in a variety of ways, through Academy training, workforce certificates, or degrees. They may be leveraging military experience or be high school graduates embarking on a career. Some may be transferring skills in accounting, marketing, human resources, research, grant writing, procurement, or management from other industries and applying them to roles in public service.
Reviewing the Career Pathway below showcases the different options available in public service and the requirements needed to start and grow their career. Nearly 32,000 individuals are employed in these occupations in Northeast Florida, serving in honorable professions that provides great value—justice, public order and safety–to the Jacksonville region.
Public Service Companies in the Region
The Clay County native did not graduate from high school. Shine, who has four children and eight grandchildren, became a parent as a teenager.
“At that time, school was not a priority for me,” Shine said.
In addition to raising her children, Shine worked as a cosmetologist and later as a custodian and paraprofessional at Fruit Cove Middle School. Being surrounded by students inspired Shine to do more with her life and go back to school.
“I decided that I was going to change my situation,” Shine said. “The experience of going back to school is something I would not change for anything in the world.”
For adults without a high school diploma, a GED can help in many ways. Shine enrolled first in the GED preparation course and later in the Public Safety Telecommunications training from Clay County Adult & Community Education, which provides continuing education courses for adult students within Clay and the surrounding counties. The program welcomes students of all ages.
“I was surrounded by younger people as well as older students who had been out of school,” Shine said. “We encouraged each other.”
After completing the preparation courses and training, Shine took the exams to earn her GED and Public Safety Telecommunications certifications.
“It was a process and a few times I wanted to give up,” Shine said. “However, accomplishing this goal filled me with pride and joy.”
Earning a GED and Public Safety Telecommunications certifications led Shine to a new career. A resource officer at Fruit Cove Middle School encouraged her to apply to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Department, where Shine now works as a Corrections Control Operator. In her role, she monitors inmates incarcerated at the St. Johns County correctional facility. She also trains 911 dispatch students.
“It’s a privilege to teach someone else what I have learned,” Shine said.
Generally, 911 dispatchers are the first to answer emergency calls for help. While going through the training, Shine drew from her own experience of calling 911. She recalled how the dispatcher helped calm and comfort her during a difficult time.
“When you’re answering a call, you have to think about the person on the other end of the line,” Shine said.
The Public Safety Telecommunication training focuses on interpretation and response. A dispatcher has to listen carefully to determine the needs of the caller while observing background noises and other sounds. In their role, they must remain calm, be adept at multi-tasking and have keen attention to detail.
“We learn never to judge a caller by their race or the way they speak,” Shine said.
Depending on the call, 911 dispatchers may alert deputies with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office or fire rescue.
“Our No. 1 concern is the safety of the public,” Shine said. “It takes patience and compassion to answer these calls.”
There are many financial, professional and personal reasons to get a GED. As Shine demonstrates, a GED and certification training will open doors to the future.
Today, Giselle is a business immigration attorney, speaks three languages, has authored and published a book, Beyond the H-1B, and is an Ironman tri-athlete. She is a shareholder at the Marks Gray law firm in Jacksonville. She partners with regional and global employers to help them hire and retain foreign talent. A pioneer in immigration law in our region, Giselle has been recognized by numerous professional organizations such as the American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Anyone meeting Giselle Carson, Esq. will be impressed by her many credentials and accomplishments. Giselle was born in Cuba, immigrated to Canada and then to the United States. At the age of fifteen, her friends, language, culture and home were gone forever when she escaped Cuba. Giselle was scared. Change is scary. Change is hard. But, she was determined to rebuild her life.
Today, Giselle is a business immigration attorney, speaks three languages, has authored and published a book, Beyond the H-1B, and is an Ironman tri-athlete. She is a shareholder at the Marks Gray law firm in Jacksonville. She partners with regional and global employers to help them hire and retain foreign talent. A pioneer in immigration law in our region, Giselle has been recognized by numerous professional organizations such as the American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
What isn’t obvious is that creating a notable legal career wasn’t her first career path. None of her family members are lawyers. It wasn’t on her radar. Rather, it emerged from her personal experiences. Through her journey, she discovered that practicing business immigration law would allow her to help others reach their immigration goals.
Giselle obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy. She worked as a rehabilitation department director and started to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. Despite enjoying her job, a seed had been planted. She thought about the immigration lawyers who helped her immigrate to the U.S. and obtain a green card. “I couldn’t be where I am or accomplish what I have without their help,” Giselle says.
So, she pivoted. She had big goals. Giselle continued to work while taking night classes at Florida Coastal School of Law. She drove from Palm Coast to Jacksonville to take classes twice a week. This made for long stressful weeks. After a few years, she made a firm decision to pursue schooling full time, earning a Juris Doctorate. Giselle graduated first in her class.
Giselle initially practiced litigation of medical malpractice. However, she realized that the clients she served were not been assisted by local immigration lawyers. So, she used her legal skills, personal experience and relationships to fill the gap. With the guidance of mentors and additional legal coursework, she developed a business immigration law practice within Marks Gray. Her legal work differs from the image typically projected in the media. Instead of presenting a case to a judge and jury, she helps companies understand and navigate laws centered on hiring and retaining foreign talent. Initially, it was just her. Learning all she could, as fast as she could. She kept moving forward one step at a time. Today, she has a strong immigration team of four.
She is thrilled to do what she does. Giselle says, “I have the privilege to expose Northeast Florida to the world. To help companies bring talent here. To enhance our diversity and innovation. To strengthen our country with immigrants who are hardworking, innovative trailblazers.”
For those considering the legal profession, Giselle offers encouragement and advice. Like most industries, law is enduring disruption. But, Giselle sees disruption as positive if it helps diversify the field. “We’re missing out on the huge value that diversity and inclusion brings. We need to invest and commit to diversity. Our immigration team is so strong because we value and respect our diversity of ideas, backgrounds and skills.”
Giselle’s advice is truly a call to action to begin, commit and persist. She states emphatically, “If you’re looking for a perfect world or a perfect situation, it doesn’t exist. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take action and don’t give up until you achieve your goal.”
While she notes that one’s studies are critical, being passionate, determined and invested in one’s profession is paramount. She also encourages involvement with professional and business associations. She says, “They offer tremendous perspective, showcase trends, and generate critical relationships.”
Giselle’s passion for business immigration law is clear, as is the parallel of her roles as a lawyer and triathlete, “I help my clients overcome challenges and cross their finish line. When I begin a race, the first mile isn’t necessarily fun. But, I know the reward of the finish line is worth it.” This professional truly offers great career and personal lessons for a life of contributions and opportunities.
As a child in Alabama, Printella Bankhead was told she couldn’t succeed.
“I was told, ‘It’s a man’s world – you can’t do it,’” Bankhead said. “I wasn’t expected to achieve anything, and I wanted to be different than that.”
Bankhead, president and founder of EBS Security, overcame obstacles to achieve success. EBS provides security services to commercial, residential and government organizations. The company also offers bodyguard services and long term and short term security services. The company currently has more than 78 employees. Bankhead was named the 2022 overall JAX Chamber Small Business Leader of the Year.
After high school graduation, Bankhead got married and relocated to Jacksonville. Five years later, she was working, going to school and raising two young daughters on her own following a divorce. Bankhead was determined to find a better way to support her family. She found her purpose in life when she took on a job as a security officer.
“There are so many opportunities in security,” Bankhead said. “I enjoy that it’s not the same daily routine.”
Bankhead began working in security full time and enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville, earning a degree in Criminal Justice. She was promoted to supervisor and worked for the same company for seven years. The company provided security for the church Bankhead attended.
“My pastor asked me if I had ever thought of starting my own security company,” she said. “He told me I would be a natural at this.”
Bankhead launched EBS in 2002. While she was knowledgeable and skilled in the security industry, Bankhead was not experienced on how to run a business. She credits the company’s growth to her involvement with the JAX Chamber, the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center (JWBC) and the Small Business Administration. As a business owner, she achieved success by working hard, leading by example and maintaining high standards, often making sacrifices to get the job done.
“You can take your business as far as you want if you have the right mindset,” Bankhead said.
EBS provides armed and unarmed security. The company has assisted at high profile events attended by politicians, athletes and celebrities, working with police and special security forces.
“Many people don’t realize security is a requirement at most events,” Bankhead said.
EBS has faced numerous challenges during the pandemic, when closures and cancelations eliminated many of the company’s contracts. Bankhead had to establish new protocols to ensure her team members were safe and able to do their jobs. Bankhead also found herself back in uniform and working onsite closely with her team. Her resilience has allowed EBS to thrive.
“You can’t always be in the office,” she said. “You may be the CEO, but it all comes down to you.”
During her career, Bankhead has received numerous honors including being named the 2015 SBA’s Minority Business Person of the Year.
The works of authors Les Brown, Zig Ziegler and Wayne Dyer have offered encouragement. Her own experiences inspired her to write a book, “Staying on Course in Business and Life.”
Bankhead has found being an entrepreneur offers many benefits including the freedom and means to care for her father during his final years.
“For me, this was the most rewarding,” she said.
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