#TeamMITRE Spotlight: Julian Nelson

As we celebrate and reflect on Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting MITRE employees from our Asian and Pacific Island Business Resource Group to learn more about their impactful work here and in the community. Meet Julian.

“I joined MITRE’s AAPI Network to meet others with similar backgrounds and since then have connected with some incredible people. In October, I was placed under the guidance of a senior mentor who has spring-boarded my growth and learning at MITRE, which in turn has positively impacted the projects I’m on. My mentor continually provides leadership, structure, and is my North Star for how to be my best self both in the community and workplace.”

Julian Nelson is a software engineer in our Emerging Systems Engineering Technology Department, working on projects that support our mission of solving problems for a safer world. He recently had a unique opportunity to help shape the Space Force’s next-generation architecture for identifying foreign threats in space.

Q: Why is Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month important to you?

JN: As a Filipino American, Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is important to me because I get to celebrate and share my cultural background with friends, family, and coworkers. I’m also learning about other API cultures I originally wouldn’t have been exposed to. It’s a special time to commemorate all the positive impacts these groups have made over the years.

Q: Tell us about your volunteer efforts or service in the community.

JN: I recently moved to San Diego, so I’m still evaluating where in the community I would like to volunteer my time. But before my move, I volunteered every other month at a soup kitchen that provides food and shelter to homeless people in Washington, DC.

?

Q: Who inspires you most and why?

JN: Over the years, I’ve looked up to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson for random inspiration. There are times when I need to be innovative. There are times when I need to show tenacity and grit. There are times when I need to be bold and take risks. These are all traits that 50 Cent has exemplified through various business ventures and life experiences. He is someone who wears many hats, and I believe being adaptable to any situation makes you a more diversified and holistic person.

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

JN: Be a better self-advocate. It’s not always easy to communicate your expectations, feelings, or interests, but such conversations are necessary to taking ownership of your life. Life will throw you many curveballs, so knowing how to navigate difficult conversations while also speaking up for yourself is a skill that can be applied both professionally and personally.

Make sure to check out our other Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month employee spotlights below:

-???????Meha Elhence

-???????Dave Bryant

-???????Liz Pollard