How Identity Has Influenced A Retired Aerospace Engineer's Career At Northrop Grumman
Navigating a long aerospace career starting in the 80s, the key was to "keep your mind open, your mouth shut to a certain extent," and prioritize listening, recognizing that judging others based on identity is pointless because "it's hard enough to be good at being you." A successful career boils down to doing a good job, and "it doesn't matter who you love," as people should have the right to live their lives as they please without interference, a sentiment shared by many scientists.
Aerospace Engineering, Workplace Inclusion, Career Navigation, Ethical Considerations, Diversity and Acceptance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Capoccia
Retired Aerospace Engineer
Northrop Grumman Corp.
Cal State University Long Beach
Pepperdine University Masters In Business Administration , Graduate Studies In Program Mngt. and Systems Engineering Cal Tech
Engineering - Chemical
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense
Research and Development (R&D)
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Importance of Open-Mindedness and Listening: Michael emphasizes the importance of listening and keeping an open mind, especially in a changing environment. This is valuable advice for navigating a career in any field, particularly one as dynamic as aerospace engineering.
2. Focus on Self-Improvement: Michael highlights the importance of focusing on personal growth and being the best version of oneself, rather than trying to emulate others. This suggests a strategy for dealing with workplace dynamics related to identity and can be especially important for students as they enter a professional environment.
3. Industry Acceptance and Progress: Michael notes that modern industry, including the conservative aerospace sector, is becoming increasingly accepting of diversity. He shares examples of women and minorities in leadership positions, indicating a positive trend and opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a white male in a changing environment, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Here's the cleaned transcript:
"Basically, something I learned a long time ago is to keep your mind open and your mouth shut, to a certain extent. You have two ears and one mouth, so I learned how to listen.
During my career, for the most part, gender identity was not on the table due to societal reasons. I started my career in the eighties, which was a long time ago – we're talking 40-some years. Ethnicity was a big deal.
In the case of ethnicity, religion, or gender identity, the answer is always the same: you have to live your life the best way you can. It's hard enough to be good at being you. You'll never be as good at being someone you are not. Most people are really too busy with their own lives to pay that much attention to anybody else.
They might engage in chitchat, but trust me, they'll chat about baseball just as much as they'll chat about your gender identity. Understand that most modern industries, and I came to aerospace, which is conservative, are very accepting now. I think it's about time.
I grew up watching African Americans and Mexican Americans being treated pretty badly, and now they're running major companies. Women have been running my old company as CEO of a Fortune 500 company for eight to 10 years now. It's great. I own the stock and I'm happy with her performance because my stock keeps going up.
So, I don't give up. I couldn't care less. You do a good job; it doesn't matter who you love. Basically, it's nobody's business. The problem with this country right now is people make it their business, and it's none of their damn business.
Two girls holding hands down at the beach – nobody should comment on that. That's their life. Two guys – that's their life. It's not your life. If you don't like it, go beat your head in the backyard. I don't give a crap.
I'm serious. I'm disgusted with people who think their view of the world should matter to you. Their view of the world matters to them, and I have no problem with that. But my view of the world matters to me, and your view of your world matters to you. We all have an equal right to feel the way we do about the people around us.
So, it comes down to the old saying: your rights and my rights stop at your nose. Your rights stop at my nose. In other words, you have the right to live your life any way you please, as long as it's legal, and I have the right to live mine. But I don't have the right to interfere with you. I really don't. And that's what's been lost, and I find it horrible.
Hopefully, this is something useful. Unfortunately, most of the scientists I work with agree with me on this. They feel the exact same way. I would not say that about most business managers or most engineers. Different personalities lead people to different areas. But the more educated a person is, particularly past a bachelor's degree, like with a master's or PhD, the more their minds are open to accepting the world as it is, rather than how they want it to be."