What A Lead Systems Engineer As A Government Contractor Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Government Contracting Industry
Nicole wishes someone had warned them about the delayed gratification inherent in government contracting, noting that the impact of a project might not be seen for years, or the funding could be pulled unexpectedly, requiring a quick shift in focus. A key takeaway is to avoid getting "too married to a solution" and instead embrace adaptability while consistently driving change and adding value.
Industry Realities, Adaptability, Project Management, Resilience, Workplace Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nicole Giunta
Lead Systems Engineer
Government Contractor
Virginia Tech
University of San Diego | MBA
Engineering - Industrial
Government & Public Sector
Strategic Management and Executive
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Impact of work may not be immediately visible: High-impact projects may take years to materialize or may be canceled due to funding changes, requiring patience and adaptability.
2. Priorities can shift unexpectedly: Government funding and priorities can change, so you need to be adaptable and avoid becoming too attached to specific solutions.
3. Adaptability and focus on delivering value: Drive change and deliver value quickly, but be prepared to shift focus to new challenges as priorities change.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I wish someone had told me how long it can sometimes take to see the impact of your work. I also wish I’d known how volatile priorities coming down the line can be.
Sometimes you'll be working on a high-impact project and might not see the results for a couple of years. Or, conversely, you might work on a project for a long time, only for the government funding to be pulled.
This means you have to shift gears. You can't get too focused or too committed to a solution, because you might not see its impact for a while, or priorities might shift.
So, you want to drive change and bring value as quickly as you can. Then, be adaptable and ready to focus on the next challenge when it arises.