The journey is stressful, long, exciting… and starting to feel real.
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but — I passed the dispatch sit-in.
Not one, but both of them.
What started as curiosity (“Maybe I could do dispatch…?”) has turned into a full-on journey, and now I’m officially on step 3 of 4 in the hiring process. Things are getting real, and my nerves are definitely feeling it.
What the Sit-Ins Were Actually Like
Each sit-in was about two hours long, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. Dispatching is one of those jobs that sounds straightforward… until you actually watch someone do it.
Headsets on.
Screens glowing.
Phones ringing.
Radios crackling.
People typing faster than I knew human hands could move.
And somehow… it all flows.
It’s controlled chaos, but it works.
During the sit-ins, I got to:
- watch calls come in
- observe how dispatchers prioritize information
- see how they communicate with officers
- ask questions about the process
- get a feel for whether I could handle this pace daily
And somewhere in the middle of watching them work, I caught myself thinking:
I could do this.
Not easily. Not instantly. But with training? Absolutely.
The Moment They Told Me I Passed
When they told me I’d passed the sit-in portion, I swear I felt this wave of both excitement and relief.
Dispatch hiring processes are long, and every checkpoint feels like you’re inching forward in a marathon.
So hearing “You passed” felt like someone handed me water at mile 18.
Next up?
The informal interview.
Step 3: The Informal Interview
This isn’t the final interview — it’s more of a “let’s get to know you and see if you’d fit our team” conversation.
Less rigid, more personal. The vibe is:
- Why do you want dispatch?
- What strengths do you bring?
- Can you stay calm under pressure?
- How do you handle stress, multitasking, and emotional situations?
- Do you understand the commitment this job requires?
Basically, they want to know if you’re someone they can trust at 3 AM during a crisis.
And honestly?
I’m nervous… but I’m also proud of myself.
Even getting this far is huge.
What Comes After This
The final step (step 4) varies by department, but it usually includes:
- A panel or formal interview
- Background check
- Possibly a psychological or skills test
But I’m not there yet.
Right now I’m celebrating step 3 — because every step matters.
Why This Job Means So Much to Me
I’ve been searching for a career that aligns with:
- structure
- predictability
- helping people
- using my communication skills
- feeling like I’m doing something meaningful
And dispatch… checks all those boxes.
It’s intense, yes.
But it’s purposeful.
And the fact that I’m progressing through the hiring process makes me think maybe — just maybe — this could be the path I’ve been looking for.
I’ll Keep You Posted
Thanks for following along on this journey. I know I’m sharing it in real-time as I figure things out, but that’s kind of the whole point of this blog — documenting the messy, hopeful, confusing in-between stages of life.
Step 3 of 4.
Deep breath.
Onward.
Comments
2 responses to “Step 3 of 4: I Passed the Dispatch Sit-In!”
I am so proud of you! You are good at everything I’ve seen you do. I have no doubt you would be the perfect fit for this job. 🙂
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your words mean so much to me, and your belief in me gives me even more courage to keep pursuing this path. I appreciate your support and encouragement!