How Identity Has Influenced a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer at United States Navy's Career
As a female officer in the Navy, understanding the historical context of women's limited presence since World War II is key, but Colleen learned early in their career that it is critical to avoid pigeonholing oneself into descriptive tendencies such as gender or race and instead strategically choosing which aspect of their identity to emphasize in order to best achieve objectives and serve their family, the Navy, and future female officers. This multifaceted approach, considering "where and when and how hard to fight," allows Colleen to navigate a male-dominated field effectively, deciding if a particular issue is something that "making a fuss will fix," and to provide enlightenment and make a difference.
Naval Officer, Women in STEM, Identity in the Workplace, Leadership, Intersectionality
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Colleen Wilmington
Meteorology and Oceanography Officer
United States Navy
University of Kansas
Naval Postgraduate School
English, Writing & Education
Government & Public Sector, Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. The importance of understanding one's identity and how it fits into their chosen field, especially as a young officer.
2. The need to speak up for oneself and the historical context of women in the Navy.
3. The concept of approaching situations from a multifaceted perspective, considering various aspects of one's identity (gender, religion, race, etc.) and deciding when and how to advocate based on the potential impact and benefits for others.
Transcript
As a female officer in the Navy, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
As a female officer in the Navy, you look at history. Female Navy officers have only been around since World War II, starting with the WAVES.
There's an inherent understanding that it's a male-dominated field. However, women have had so many undertakings and achievements. This relates back to the need to speak up for ourselves.
One of the things I learned after commissioning was, "Who am I?" This is something many of us struggle with in our early twenties, figuring out who we are and how we fit into our chosen field.
You have to approach any scenario from a multifaceted perspective. Will religion lead? Will gender lead? Will race lead?
This involves the wisdom to stop and decide where, when, and how hard to fight. Is this beneficial for those who follow me? Will making a fuss fix something?
Am I going about this the right way to enlighten someone who can then make a difference? It's understanding that I am not just female, white, Catholic, Christian, a Navy officer, or a mom.
I cannot pigeonhole myself into those descriptive tendencies because sometimes I have to let another description take the lead. This is in order to fulfill my objective and do what is best for myself, my family, and the Navy.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/colleen-wilmington