"The most important skills you need to do this work is strong team spirit, you have to be physically fit, welcome change and be a good multi-tasker."

Canada-wide, the civilian defence industry generates an estimated 50,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in sales, including $1.8 billion in exports.

Sergeant Manon Sauvé is a signal operator with the Canadian Forces at Valcartier. The speedy and accurate transmission of information has often decided who would win an armed conflict.

Signal operators, like Sergeant Sauvé, must be able to transmit instructions, either data or voice, quickly and accurately, using a variety of equipment, from simple radios to sophisticated computers. And they have to be able to use this equipment in any situation – in the air, on the water, as well as on land.

Did you know? History often relates that Napoleon lost many of his battles because his Generals couldn't read his handwritten instructions.

Manon wants women to know that, sometimes you just have to go where the jobs are. She went into telecommunications because there were openings in the field. It turned out really well for her – she has a great job and she loves it.

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SYNOPSIS:

To do this kind of job, you need to be able to remain focused on your tasks in difficult situations and stay calm, you need to be able to think under stress and you need to have a good mind for details.

Sergeant Sauvé needs to keep up with all the technological changes in the communications field. It helps that all the costs involved in upgrading her skills are paid for by her employer.

PERSONAL DATA:

Education: Post-secondary schooling through the Canadian Forces, including languages courses and specialized training as a teletype operator

Hobbies: Weight training, team sports, cycling, swimming running, rollerblading