Emily Rogan

 

 

THESE FOUR HARD-WORKING PEOPLE LOVE THE CHALLENGE AND STIMULATION OF WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THEY HAVE FOUND A WAY TO COMBINE THEIR PASSION FOR THEIR WORK WITH THE DESIRE TO SERVE OTHERS AND THEIR COUNTRY.

 

TO APPLY FOR A JOB AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, OR THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, GO TO WWW.USAJOBS.GOV. FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT EACH AGENCY, VISIT WWW.EPA.GOV/CAREERS, AND WWW.GAO.GOV/CAREERS , WWW.SSA.GOV/CAREERS, AND WWW.TSA.GOV/CAREERS, RESPECTIVELY. 

 

PROTECTING A NATION THROUGH THE TSA

 

LIkE so many Americans, Marjorie Trosterud watched with horror on September 11th, 2001, when the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked and destroyed.

 

“I will never forget that morning when I was driving to work, listening to the radio as the announcer stuttered while relaying the news that the World Trade Center was hit by an airplane,” Trosterud recalls. “On that day, I never would have guessed that a little over a year later, I would be working for the agency that would be securing transportation for America.”

 

At that time, Trosterud was working as IT director for a woman-owned business in New Mexico. In October 2002 she became a contractor with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as IT specialist at

 

Albuquerque International Airport. Excited to do her part to protect America, Trosterud managed a variety of infrastructure and operational projects that supported the TSA mission, and resolved service problems affecting the local operations at TSA offices.

 

In her current role, Trosterud works in the TSA headquarters, in the Office of Information Technology, Operations, and Engineering Division/Project Engineering Branch, as section chief of infrastructure in the Project Engineering Branch.

 

A part of the Department of Homeland Security, the TSA’s mission is to “protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.”

 

“I manage a team of individuals who collectively handle a very important aspect of IT at TSA: providing the solid foundation on top of which all IT systems and services sit,” she says. “IT systems are expected to be up and operational at all times. An IT person tends not be one who needs praise or thanks. We just love what we do and want to keep doing it,” she adds.

 

Trosterud earned her undergraduate degree while studying in Germany through a University of Maryland program, majoring in computer science with a minor in art history. Later, she earned her master’s degree in information systems from the University of Phoenix. She has earned other certifications such as Microsoft certified systems engineer and project management professional.

 

As a woman in IT, Trosterud’s experiences provide insight into the value women add to the field. “I have worked at many companies, mostly women-owned. I have noticed a culture at womenowned businesses of caring for the individual. I have always nurtured that part of myself and know that those around me see the passion I have for doing the right thing,” she says.

 

It’s no wonder, then, that she’s at home working for the TSA. “TSA’s foundation is built on diversity,” she says. “These men and women, from different ethnic, educational, and workforce backgrounds, are all eager to play a role in the protection of our nation, and together, bringing an array of ideas, viewpoints, and abilities that laid the framework of what TSA is today.”

 

Trosterud’s passion for her work is apparent and contagious. She thrives on the challenge of engineering and deploying the systems and applications the TSA uses to catch the “bad guys,” and she also loves working “with an array of incredibly talented individuals, all with their own special skills and insight,” she says.

 

Even faced with the enormity of the TSA’s responsibilities, Trosterud has a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

 

“TSA’s mission is constantly evolving as new risks and threats surface, highlighting technology challenges and opportunities that engineering needs to address,” she says. “There is always something new around the corner and we need to stand ready to tackle it.”

 

FORGING A CAREER AT THE SSA

 

It’s no accident that Wayne Lemon, deputy associate commissioner for Office of Retirement & Survivors Insurance Systems, has forged his career with the Social Security Agency. In fact, it almost seems serendipitous.

 

Lemon participated in a student program at SSA the summer before he began college. After a few months, he noticed several attributes about the agency that impacted him.

 

“SSA was a large organization, with many different components performing a variety of interesting work and a dedicated workforce,” Lemon explains. “As I was thinking about what to do after college, I knew I enjoyed a few key things including information technology and computers, helping people, and challenges. When I compared SSA to those criteria and other potential employers at the time, SSA hit those three marks well,” he adds.

 

Factor in the convenience of its location, says Lemon, and “the rest, as they say, is history.” He’s been with the SSA for 24 years.

 

Lemon holds an impressive array of degrees, including an MS, BS, and PhD in information systems from University of Maryland Baltimore County’s College of Engineering and Information Technology and an MA in management from Notre Dame University of Maryland.

 

Despite the fact that he’s had opportunities to work elsewhere throughout his career, Lemon’s rationale for staying with the SSA is apparent.

 

“I enjoy the mission, challenge of the work, and people I work with, whom are some of the most dedicated and conscientious I have ever encountered,” he explains. “The organization I currently work in is responsible for making payments to approximately 59 million beneficiaries in the amount of $65 billion per month. It is an awesome responsibility, with a lot of good people working together to keep the public first.”

 

Of course the work is not without its frustrations and Lemon cites attrition as one factor. It’s not uncommon for someone to work 35 or more years with the SSA, he says, so “when they ultimately retire, we lose some of that knowledge base. Retirements are natural and expected. However, the pace at which the attrition has occurred over the past few years has made the issue of knowledge loss much more acute.”

 

The agency also continues to face budgetary constraints that make it “challenging to continue providing the level of service the public deserves and remain focused on the agency’s mission,” he says. “We want to ensure we provide the right payment, to the right person, at the right time.”

 

Having found his own path, Lemon has some solid words of advice for those just beginning their careers. “Be resilient,” he suggests. “It can certainly be difficult to find an opportunity that completely addresses your background and interests.”

 

Lemon also urges new employees to “be your own career manager,” and take ownership of their careers through networking, expanding plans, or developing new skills. Lemon treated his own career plan as a “living document,” one that he adapted as his career progressed and opportunities became available.

 

The future of IT is “promising,” says Lemon. “If I were just starting college now or entering the workforce, I would pursue a career in technology.”

 

PREPARED FOR CHALLENGES AT EPA

 

Environmental

 

stewardship was always a priority for Tina Chen, long before she began working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So when presented with the opportunity to work with the organization, it just seemed right.

 

“I was excited to be able to support and advance the goals of protecting human health and the environment, as well as meet and work alongside like-minded people,” she says.

 

With the agency for seven years, Chen attended American University’s School of Public Affairs and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in law and society, with a minor in Spanish.

 

Her background helped prepare Chen for the challenges of her work. “My academic education strengthened my skills of critical thinking and analysis which I use daily in my current position as an IT project manager,” she explains. “My job is to help determine the best fit for any given issue in order to ensure maximum efficiencies. Being able to rely on and further enhance my critical thinking skills has been invaluable,” she adds.

 

Chen loves that her job provides her with the opportunities to work on a variety of projects within the EPA. “Since IT provides crossagency support, we work on projects that support multiple agency initiatives such as regulation of greenhouse gases, water and air quality monitoring, and toxics and chemicals reporting,” she says.

 

Project management also requires the ability to balance time, cost, and scope, says Chen. And while the EPA is often faced with doing more with less, which is not ideal, “sometimes challenges drive innovation and as a result, we are able to benefit from it,” she acknowledges.

 

Chen’s positive attitude has helped her achieve her goals. Having immigrated to the U.S., she’s learned to adapt and adjust to working with different people in multiple situations. “My multicultural background has enabled me to engage with diverse groups of people with ease and integrity. This is especially important when working with a diverse workforce, with multiple organizations; it is essential to be able to build trust and communicate effectively with other project partners, managers, and staff,” she explains.

 

Learning to say “no” is one of the best lessons she’s learned, says Chen. “Use your time to your advantage professionally, and make sure that you balance your work life with your personal life,” she adds.

 

FINDING A NICHE AT THE GAO

 

It was Y2K (the Year 2000 computer ‘bug’) that helped Hai V. Tran find his niche in the workforce. Before then, Tran had never even heard of the Government Accountability Office, which prior to 2004 was named the General Accounting Office.

 

“I didn’t know about GAO until a friend mentioned to me in 1997 that it was recruiting technologists to help with Y2K in the federal government. I started June 1997 and intended to stay only a few years,” he says.

 

There 18 years later and counting, Tran is senior level technologist in the GAO’s Center for Science, Technology & Engineering.

 

The variety of responsibilities and jobs has made the experience worthwhile and enriching for Tran. He’s worked in weapons, systems, information security, cloud computing, spectrum use and management and export controls, just to name a few areas.

 

The work is continually stimulating because, “you have to update your technical knowledge, improve your communications skills to selected, targeted audiences, and work well with others,” he says.

 

Tran started his career as a high school teacher in Vietnam, before coming to the United States as a refugee. “My ability to explain complex, technical issues in an easy-to-understand way has helped a great deal,” he says.

 

Tran’s background includes a BA in English, a BS in electrical engineering from Catholic University, an MSEE from MIT, and a PhD from George Washington University in telecommunications.

 

“The GAO employs staff in many disciplines and STEM areas are very well represented here,” he explains. “Besides technical specialties, communications and teamwork are essential for GAO audits,” he adds.

 

An important oversight agency for the government, the GAO is a good fit for those who have an interest in public service, says Tran. “Actually, it has been ranked among the five best places to work, in terms of mediumsized, federal agencies,” he says.

 

And now is an opportune time to apply. “After some lean years, the GAO is recruiting to build up its workforce,” says Tran. “There are internships as well as employment opportunities in many disciplines,” he says. The GAO also has annual outreach programs at many colleges and universities.

 

Tran’s advice to recent graduates is a recipe for success. “Do your job well, take initiatives, be responsive, and have a constructive, positive attitude,” he says.