Hi all my name is Nick
I'm typing this on my phone since I'm at work so apologies for any shorthand or weird sentences. I am 20 and a half and live in Iowa among corn and tractors. I graduated from community college in spring with a business degree and hope to continue higher ed w/ a focus on public service - I think emergency management would be a great career for me
Until that time comes I work for the state department of transportation in their traffic management ctr. My job is to monitor almost 400 traffic cameras throughout the state for any traffic issues or potential hazards (think crashes, stalled vehicles, congestion, etc.) When an incident is found we respond appropriately - for example if a crash is blocking a lane or slowing traffic to a stop we turn on the digital message signs (DMS) and notify the public by updating the 511 website. We also write reports on any traffic issue and send those out to people who have an interest in the area - maintenance supervisors, people in the office, and if the incident is major, people higher up are also sent the notification.
In addition to that we also are responsible for updating 511 with roadwork. Day shifts also dispatch the highway helpers and night shift (me) monitors social media. There's also a slew of other minor things that we do intermittently.
I love talking about my job bc it is very interesting to me and am happy to answer any questions the best I can. When I'm not at work I am typically asleep, watching TV, or playing games. I'm on season 5 of Criminal Minds (amazing show, watching in succession this time around) and currently play GTA SA, IV, V, EM4, COD MW2, MissionChief, Banished, and a few others.

