Before becoming a Facilities Director with SSC at Georgetown University, Jennifer Williams had a nearly 30-year career serving in the United States Navy.
Her military career proved invaluable. It allowed her to experience different cultures and perspectives while developing unmatched discipline, drive, and leadership skills that equipped her for success in all areas of her life.
Today, Jennifer is experiencing tremendous career growth in the facilities industry. She also has the privilege of watching her son carry on a family tradition of service as a US Marine.
Learn more about Jennifer's career journey: https://lnkd.in/ekkSQbRG#SSCServicesforEducation#NavyVeteran#VeteransDay
In honor of the military-affiliated employees in our community, we’re shining a light on those whose diverse strengths and experiences help to foster an environment where students can thrive.
Karla Payne truly embodies what it means to be an And-er™. She’s a #FirstGeneration college graduate AND a U.S. Navy Veteran, a #MilitarySpouse AND a mother, all while working full-time as our Military and Veteran Strategic Partnership Manager AND pursuing her EdD in Organizational Innovation. Karla’s military experience and diverse background allow her to connect with students, staff, and faculty on many levels—whether it's helping military families navigate challenges or supporting her colleagues. She’s proof that you can do it all—and do it with heart! 💙
Thank you, Karla, for your dedication, resilience, and the impact you make every day.
#MilitaryEmployee#EmployeeSpotlight#Veteran
The Career Transition Strategies Workshop facilitated by Noël McCall / MilBridge Consulting, LLC, was valuable to me. If you are transitioning, this is a good workshop to attend to help you prepare successfully. Although I have attended workshops and fellowships in the past covering transition topics in fine detail, I believe it is imperative to stay sharp and incorporate lessons learned to continually improve - especially when choosing the right company culture, position within your chosen passions, and path to pick the right job after the military. Here are some key takeaways from the workshop:
*Military to Civilian Transition: Further focusing my resume, pitch, and interview response narrative.
*One-on-One Coaching: Personalized guidance to refine my career path.
*Networking Strategy Improvement: Continuously working on uncovering hidden job opportunities. Networking goes beyond seeking job opportunities, as it allows you to help others as well. This is the area I seek most to improve, as it is a key differentiator for success.
*Personal Branding: Understanding my brand, ensuring I was still on azimuth, and further refining/learning how to communicate it effectively. I was able to compare an assessment with similar ones to better ascertain my skills, strengths, and weaknesses.
*Negotiating Offers: Setting expectations and exploring options.
Huge thanks to Noël McCall and Al Lampkins for hosting this workshop. Thanks also to Veterans Bridge Home and @The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic.
#CareerTransition#MilitaryToCivilian#ProfessionalGrowth
Thank you to Navy Federal Credit Union CEO, Dietrich Kuhlmann, for sharing his valuable insights on transitioning from military service and the defense industry to finding your passion. Mr. Kuhlmann left us with a powerful message: understand your value, and don’t discredit your military experience. Education serves as the engine and bridge to a successful transition, and your first job post-service may not be your last—find what works for you.
He also shared five keys to finding the right fit:
1. Identify your passion and align it with the industry or company you’re pursuing.
2. Seek fulfillment in your work.
3. Ensure you have opportunities for growth within the sector or organization.
4. Location is crucial—don’t overlook its importance for both you and your family.
5. Compensation: Know your worth and earn it.
Thank you, Mr. Kuhlmann and the William & Mary – Raymond A. Mason School of Business.
The USS Constitution in Boston Harbor, if you haven't visited her, you should.
"Old Ironsides" is the oldest, active duty, ship in the U.S Navy's Fleet and the only one that you (as a civilian) can go aboard freely.
Studying history and recruiting require an understanding of people, processes, and events that shape outcomes. Just as historians dig into the past to understand what worked and why, I dive into the unique stories of talented individuals, helping them find opportunities where they can thrive and make an impact.
History teaches us the value of building strong foundations, whether it’s the principles of a nation or the career paths of amazing professionals.
How do you see parallels between your passions and your profession?
🌟 **Lessons from Admiral McRaven: The Power of Making Your Bed Every Morning** 🛏️🇺🇸
Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who served as the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is best known for his 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin, where he shared insights on life lessons learned during Navy SEAL training.
In his speech, Admiral McRaven emphasized the importance of starting the day with a simple task: making your bed. He described how the discipline of making one's bed every morning can set the tone for the day ahead, instilling a sense of accomplishment and order amidst life's chaos. McRaven explained that by completing this small task, individuals can begin their day with a sense of pride and motivation to tackle bigger challenges.
McRaven's speech went viral, resonating with millions of people around the world who were inspired by his message of personal responsibility, resilience, and the power of small acts of discipline. His words have since been immortalized in his book, "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World," where he expands on the lessons learned from Navy SEAL training and how they can be applied to everyday life.
Overall, Admiral William H. McRaven's speech on making your bed serves as a poignant reminder that success often starts with the simplest of actions, and that by embracing discipline and determination, individuals can overcome adversity and achieve their goals. 🙂🛏️🇺🇸
✨ **HOOYAH!** ✨
#AdmiralMcRaven#NavySEALs#MakeYourBed#Discipline#Motivation#Success#Resilience#PersonalGrowth#MilitaryLife#Leadership#Inspiration
Leadership Thoughts for Pride Month
There has been a lot of backlash lately about a Navy Special Warfare Command (i.e., SEALs) Facebook post that featured the words, "NSW DIGNITY SERVICE RESPECT EQUALITY PRIDE" on a rainbow flag. Considering the "team" mentality of NSWG, I am surprised that the current NSWG leadership endorses this approach.
The problem with this post is not the Navy's position on LGBTQIA+ sailors, but rather, it the the fact that we recognize them as a distinct group. This flies in the face of every aspect of our military and Navy training.
We are taught and trained to look past our differences and focus on our mission. We function best as a team, not as individuals. We seek values that unite us, not divide us.
HONOR. COURAGE. COMMITMENT.
Those are the Navy's core values and our focus.
We must not divide ourselves by heritage, education, politics, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Celebrating any grouping of servicemembers is divisive and only serves to weaken our team.
When building a successful team, focus on the values that unite; not those which divide.
#NAVY#CNO#NSWG#SEALS#LEADERSHIP#NAVYSPECIALWARFARE#MILITARY#PAO#PUBLICAFFAIRS#NAVYPUBLICAFFAIRS#KEITHDAVIDS#ANDYSCHREINER#DAVIDMARKLE#WALTERDITTMAR
Engineering Support
4moJennifer, I enjoyed working with you. Hard working, smart and good people skills.