Cindy Prophitt, Custodial Specialist III at UCF Facilities, plays a crucial role across UCF's campuses while managing her team and ensuring they have the necessary support. She values her experiences with the community and appreciates the career development opportunities UCF provides, encouraging future team members to strive for success within the university.
A Day in the Life of Cindy Prophitt, Custodial Specialist III for UCF Facilities
College football season is officially underway, and while fans are excited to have fun with friends and family, tailgating, and cheering on the UCF Knights, it’s easy to overlook the dedicated facilities team working tirelessly behind the scenes. These unsung heroes ensure the campus is clean, often putting in long hours to maintain everything from the hallways to the restrooms. Cindy Prophitt, Custodial Specialist III for UCF Facilities, plays an important role in the daily operations of UCF for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. As everyone prepares for another game day, she shares a typical day at the university and gives insight into her role and what it’s like working at the different UCF campuses.
Starting her day with a plan!
“Every day is different to say the least,” says Cindy. She begins her day just as anyone would—she checks her emails, reviews work orders, delegates tasks amongst her team members, and even assists with coverage in areas that may be short-staffed.
In the Facilities department, Cindy ensures that her team has transportation, assesses their supply needs and listens to any concerns her team members may have. Next, she moves on to her team in the Education Building, and then checks in with the Student Union making sure she addresses any additional needs of each department. Sharing information as well as providing additional training is a vital part of her role at UCF.
Handling routine tasks, special projects, and maintenance requests that may occur.
To ensure her team has everything they need, supplies are ordered every other week and inventory is conducted regularly. “This is a crucial task because we need to be stocked at all times,” says Cindy.
If her team receives a work order, or one of her areas receives a project, she delegates and assigns tasks to the appropriate team members. Additionally, should extra support be needed, she assists in those areas to ensure each project is seen to completion. Her thorough communication and ability to collaborate are key factors in the success of facilities operations at UCF. “I am involved in planning, scheduling, and completing them. It takes teamwork and that is what gets results,” Cindy shares.
For building issues or customer requests, her team can submit work order requests on their behalf. “I can’t stress enough how it takes team work to complete small and large projects. Details and communication are everything when planning, scheduling, and completing projects.”
Sharing memorable experiences as a UCF Facilities employee.
Being a UCF Facilities employee means you get to meet so many people daily. Some of Cindy’s favorite memories include catching the “vending machine bandit,” rare opportunities like attending the “FLAPPA,” which is a conference of college and university professionals in the state of Florida at Valencia College, as well as being assigned to Lake Nona to guide employees until a new supervisor was appointed—whom she had to train as well.
When speaking to Cindy and hearing her experiences she’s had at the university, one thing really stood out—her memories with the students and visitors at the campus. “A thoughtful young lady organized a dinner for all the housekeepers on 2nd shift. This was [her] way of acknowledging everyone’s hard work and saying, ‘thank you.’ It’s been going on every year for the past three years. How awesome is that?” She still enjoys the many visits from people on campus to this day who approach her to share a memory they’ve had with her.
How has UCF supported you with your career aspirations and made you feel a part of something “more”?
Cindy started at UCF as a supervisor and continues her role in that position today. She’s had the opportunity to participate in many offerings the university provides such as workshops, safety courses, vendor demos, and even the self-defense courses offered by the UCF Police Department. Additionally, because of her high performance and inclination to go above and beyond her normal line of duties, like working at other campuses, she has received many rewards and commendable praises from her team. “When you get acknowledged for your hard work and efforts, it makes you want to do more. Even when it takes you out of your comfort zone, you realize you can do anything.”
Words of Wisdom for Future UCF Team Members
When asked what she would tell someone who may be interested in working at UCF, Cindy shared the following: “The benefits are awesome! Search the website and become familiar with the campus. The community is its own little town. There are a lot of terrific folks to work with and work for. Just like the students that attend classes here, they are working toward their dreams…do your best to succeed.”
