G.I. Jobs Virtual Job Fair   |   Apr 25

Virtual Job Fair   |   Apr 25

Veteran Spotlight: Derek Ridings, Southwest Airlines

Derek Ridings Southwest

[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]What does a Command Center Supervisor do? I am responsible for the safe and efficient operations of Southwest Airlines flights to and from Nashville International Airport. With this responsibility I also ensure Southwest Airlines customers arrive and depart in a timely manner, manage gate conflicts and reroute customers and baggage.

What worked best in your job search? Networking and seeking out individuals who work in the field you are interested in. Simply applying for job after job online did not seem to work for me. Follow-up is always important. If someone gives you a business card or asks you to follow up with them, make sure that you do so. That effort alone says a lot about you and your ability to follow through with tasks, and you never know who you might be talking to!

What’s the coolest thing about your job? I get to be involved in all aspects of our operation every day. I encounter new challenges every day that I may not always have a ready-made solution for, but I am able to rely on other supervisors with 20 more years of experience.[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”https://www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/careers/index.html?clk=GFOOTER-ABOUT-CAREERS” color=”default” size=”large” stretch=”yes” type=”” shape=”” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””]Start a Career with Southwest Airlines[/fusion_button][/two_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”3″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]About Derek[/title][imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/imageframe][checklist icon=”fa-arrow-circle-right” iconcolor=”” circle=”” circlecolor=”” size=”13px” class=”” id=””][li_item icon=””]Occupation: Command Center Supervisor, Emerging Leadership Development Program, Southwest Airlines[/li_item][li_item icon=””]Age: 31[/li_item][li_item icon=””]Military Service: Specialist (E-4), Army (2003-2008)[/li_item][li_item icon=””]MOS: Military Police (31B)[/li_item][li_item icon=””]Education: Bachelor of Arts (American History), Kennesaw State University (2013)[/li_item][/checklist][/one_third][/fullwidth]