Tweeting about the job

Published Dec. 17, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Nathan Maysonet
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- One of Laughlin's air traffic controllers used the power of social media to spread the word on serving in the Air Force during a question-and-answer session held on the Air Force's Facebook and Twitter pages Dec. 12.

Tech. Sgt. Nicole Valentine, 47th Operations Support Squadron senior watch supervisor, was selected by the Air Force Recruiting Service to speak online in two 45-minute chats about her 12 years of experience as a female Air Force air traffic controller.

"About three months ago, the team came out to interview one of our airmen and thought it was cool that a female was a senior watch supervisor," Valentine said. "The career used to be a male dominated field, and the crew from AFRS was interested in hearing from me."

Valentine had the opportunity to travel to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, to chat with people interested in joining the Air Force or simply learning something about the service. A onetime radio employee, the social media aspect instantly appealed to Valentine.

"I worked at a National Public Radio station before joining the service," she said. "I like talking to people; I'm a people person, and I learned that air traffic controllers talk a lot, and I knew I'd enjoy that."

The Airman did not always see herself in this career field. The required training is difficult and requires a lot of hard work to be successful explained Valentine. After months of technical training, it could be years before you are actually an air traffic controller.

"I want to let others know, especially females, that the career field is doable for anyone willing to put in the effort. It'll always keep you busy and never bored," she said.

Valentine hopes the interviews will be viewed as a success and used in the future to spotlight the service of other women in unique and interesting jobs.

"This program seems really cool to me," Valentine said. "I hope to see other fields highlighted, because it's good to see how other fields operate."