Jehu Silencieux won't have the day off Sunday. Like police, firefighters and other safety personnel, Jehu is one of those essential employees who'll work on the Fourth of July. His job as a security guard at Trump Parc Stamford requires 'round-the-clock staffing, but luckily Jehu doesn't mind. "I never have problems. Everybody's nice," he says.
Jehu works the early shift, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. If a work day happens to fall on a holiday, the shift still must be covered. His job consists of watching for disturbances (so far no unusual activities have occurred), escorting residents and visitors, and helping with deliveries.
"If somebody needs help, I help them with whatever I can do," says Jehu, 24. A 2004 graduate of Stamford High School, Jehu wasn't certain what he wanted to do after graduation.
"I didn't really have any goals," he says. He considered a career in heating and air conditioning repair and briefly studied at Porter and Chester Institute. Interest soon waned, and he left. He then considered a career as a police officer, but before seriously pursuing that option, Jehu discovered he could take an eight-hour course and obtain a security license. He now works for Protection Plus Security Consultants, which operates out of New York City.
"You have to have a security license. You can't have the job without a license," says Jehu, who began working almost immediately. "Once you get your license, you can get hired anywhere."
For now, job security trumps everything else. Jehu someday wants to pursue his goal of becoming a police officer, but his current position is fulfilling at this point in his life. If he does join the force one day, however, at least one aspect of the job will remain the same. He'll still have to work holidays.
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