Lockheed Martin SkillBridge: Staying Ahead of Ready!

My DoD SkillBridge experience with Lockheed Martin is complete! It was an eye-opening journey that provided valuable insights into the corporate world, particularly at Lockheed Martin. Having spent my career in the Army, I was accustomed to a specific approach. While the "Army way" is undeniably effective for military missions, it was refreshing to learn alternative methods for problem-solving and achieving goals within a corporate environment.

I was fortunate to work alongside incredible professionals. Ray Jokie , Samantha Domingo, MBA , and Allison Cain 's openness and willingness to share their knowledge were invaluable in enhancing my own. Additionally, engaging in insightful conversations with Carlos Arcila "Ace" , Beth Guidry , and Jordan Guth further enriched my experience. Finally, Craig Gilmer 's confidence and Tiffany King 's boldness provided me with the opportunities to make a real impact.

One of the most valuable takeaways was the emphasis on open communication at all levels. Regardless of the business area or my role as a Fellow, meaningful discussions and idea sharing were actively encouraged. Imagine a Cadet, not even officially in the service, being able to freely engage with senior leaders! This level of openness is something I'll truly value moving forward.

Another key takeaway was the dedication behind the hiring process. My experience within Talent Acquisition gave me a newfound appreciation for the meticulous work and passion that goes into recruiting top talent, specifically within the military community. I was truly humbled by the commitment of those involved.

So what am I most proud of? I worked on several projects for the team, but two of them stand out.

• First, Lockheed Martin joined Blue Star Families and Hiring Our Heroes 4+1 Commitment to create a more conducive work experience for military spouses. Military spouses are a critical part of the military community and have often struggled to find lasting, meaningful employment due to the ever-changing nature of military life. While I wasn't single-handedly responsible for this initiative, being a part of it and seeing Lockheed Martin take this important step was incredibly rewarding.
• Second, I helped build out a mentorship program within Lockheed Martin Space for onboarding, self-identifying military members. This program pairs new military hires with experienced mentors for their first 90 days, aiming to enhance the onboarding process, foster lasting relationships, and improve overall team cohesion and mentorship within the organization. I'm excited to see what impact this program has at Lockheed Martin!

While I didn't receive a full-time offer right away, it wasn't due to my qualifications or their desire to hire me. It was simply a matter of aligning job openings and locations with my preferences. The opportunities just weren't available at this exact moment.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lockheed Martin. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for future opportunities that align better. It's only a matter of time!

#militarytransition #skillbridge

P.S. For more information on Lockheed Martin and SkillBridge opportunities, Hiring Our Heroes, and the 4+1 Commitment, please visit the links below:

• Lockheed Martin Careers: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/careers/index.html
• Lockheed Martin SkillBridge Programs: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/careers/candidates/military-veterans/heroes.html
• Hiring Our Heroes: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/
• 4+1 Commitment: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/4plus1/