ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Oftentimes, both young and experienced professionals have questions about career advancement.
To provide preparation and progression guidance to the scientist and engineer workforce across Arnold Engineering Development Complex, a Scientist and Engineer, or S&E, Career Planning and Mentoring Seminar was held in the Main Auditorium at Arnold Air Force Base, headquarters of AEDC.
The seminar was hosted by AEDC Senior Technical Director Ed Tucker to give insight on how junior scientists and engineers can further their careers through education and experience while offering tips to improve resume writing and job interview skills to aid professional growth.
“A skilled and experienced technical workforce is the most critical element necessary for AEDC’s mission success,” Tucker said. “The seminar helped to foster personal and professional growth for the scientists and engineers of AEDC by providing insight into effective career planning tools, development opportunities and mentorship from seasoned professionals.”
The annual event featured several speakers. Joining Tucker was Dr. Betta Jerome, Air Force Test Center technical advisor; Maci Jackson, division chief of the Resources Management Division in the Engineering and Technical Management Directorate at AFTC; Felicia Roberts, career field administrator with the Air Force Personnel Center; and Art Huber, AFTC executive director and former AEDC commander.
These speakers led presentations covering career planning, philosophy and training resources, vectoring versus career development, workforce career planning survey findings, tips for successful interviews and resume writing, and promotion and growth opportunities. The seminar also included sessions for the junior S&E workforce and supervisors tailored to address the specific needs of those groups.
Tucker, Jerome, Huber, AEDC Deputy Director Kevin Muckerheide and AEDC 804th Test Group Analysis and Technology Development Branch Technical Advisor Mike Wrenn also participated in a panel discussion in which they shared their career journeys, some of their career decisions, milestones and lessons learned. The seminar also included a question-and-answer session for the panel followed by individual mentoring sessions.
To reach a broader audience of AEDC scientists and engineers, especially units geographically separated from the AEDC headquarters, the seminar was also broadcast over Microsoft Teams.
“My goal for the seminar was that it would provide participants with a better grasp of the knowledge, opportunities and actions they can take to shape a rewarding and successful technical career which aligns with their personal and professional goals,” Tucker said. “I believe we achieved success.”