New Year, New You

By Tara Bright, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) human resources specialist, and Morgan Haynes, NRL training officer

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one- Happy New Year! It’s 2022! The New Year is a popular time to reflect on past accomplishments and focus on future goals. Although 2021 was another challenging year, remember to celebrate your accomplishments because you rocked it! You’ve navigated the continued uncertainties COVID-19 brought to the workplace, participated in or dodged the “Great Resignation,” and adjusted to the (partial?) return to in-person learning for the kiddos. Wow, what a year!

The focus on the year ahead is common during this time. This year, I’m finally going to apply for that promotion. This year, I’m changing jobs. This year, I will FINALLY get organized-no more papers everywhere on my desk; color-coded spreadsheet tabs properly labeled and flawless files here I come! It doesn’t hurt to try, right? Well, while you’re thinking about the New Year and any professional changes that you want to make, keep in mind the “total package” that a new position is offering. Often, people consider what they’re offered to come aboard, but they don’t consider the ways in which employers commit to their existing employees. One of the reasons the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is a great place to work is because of the level of commitment to continued professional development available to employees. NRL is an excellent place to enhance your skills, earn your next degree while working or take a targeted course to expand your professional development. Here is a list of some of the training opportunities available at NRL:

1.?????Academic Degree Training (ADT) Program. NRL scientists and engineers are at the forefront of advancing science further than you can imagine. However, administrative and clerical work is critical to help NRL accomplish its mission. To support this work, NRL offers the Academic Degree Training (ADT) Program. The ADT program was designed to enhance administrative and clerical skills, regardless of the position of the participant. For example, an electrical engineer can pursue a degree in project management and a contract specialist could pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Participants may receive the full cost of tuition at any accredited college or university local to the worksite (or online) as well as receiving “study time” in order to either attend classes or work on schoolwork. ?

2.?????Edison Memorial Graduate Program. This program enables any full-time, permanent NRL employee who has a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an appropriate field, has achieved recognized stature in his or field and has completed at least one year of federal service at NRL to pursue graduate work in a scientific/engineering field at a local university. Customarily, participants receive full pay while they work 24 hours per week at NRL and receive 16 hours of study time. The academic workload may be either graded, credited classes or dissertation research credits.

3.?????Select Graduate Training Program. This program enables any full-time, permanent NRL employee who has a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an appropriate field, has achieved recognized stature in his or field and has completed at least one year of federal service at NRL to pursue full-time graduate study at a facility of their choice within the continental United States. Participants earn half-salary and benefits during the graduate study training period as well as the full cost of tuition, a reimbursable stipend for books and parking and costs associated with travel/transportation to and from the chosen school.

4.?????Advanced Graduate Research Program. NRL is proud to stand at the forefront of innovative research. To keep our employees up to date with the latest in their fields, we offer the Advanced Graduate Program (formerly called the Sabbatical Program). This program enables any full-time, permanent NRL level three scientist or engineer (NP), professional administrative (NO) employee, or level four technician (NR) employee who has completed at least six years of federal civilian service (four of which must have been at NRL) to pursue collaborative research in their own or related fields on a full-time basis for up to one year. The idea for this program is to learn a highly valuable and unique skill or technology and bring that knowledge back to NRL. Participants receive full salary and benefits during the training period and the Human Resources Office budgets for travel and transportation costs and certain expenses associated with the training.

And the list continues! Check out what NRL has to offer. If you recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree and are looking for your first professional career, consider NRL! You will not only perform meaningful work that supports our military, you may also get your next degree on us! If you are a seasoned professional stuck in a rut, consider NRL. NRL offers more than a reliable job. It offers a chance for you to enhance your skills-with benefits. At NRL, you can truly take your career further than you can imagine.

?