APG Soldiers and civilians discuss careers with AVID students

ABERDEEN, Md. — Soldiers and civilians from Aberdeen Proving Ground discussed career opportunities with students in the Advancement Via Individual Determination program during a guest speaker event Jan. 16, 2025.

The AVID program is an elective course emphasizing college and career preparation. Students in grades nine through 12 learn study skills, note-taking strategies, and critical thinking during class. AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

Guest speakers from APG included John Whitt, the Modeling Simulation and Software Test Division chief with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command; Daniel Phillips, a research biologist with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center; Army Lt. Col. Melissa Munro Boyd, the deputy chief of the Behavioral and Social Health Outcomes Practice with the Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen; and Army Maj. Shay Lopez, a physical therapist and chief of Injury Prevention Division with DCPH-A.

During the presentations, discussion topics included potential salaries, work-life balance, paying for higher education, job requirements, and career growth. Students had the opportunity to ask specific questions based on their interests.

Boyd said her father encouraged her to join the military, and she attended college on a ROTC scholarship. Boyd, a subject matter expert in applying evidence-based clinical practice in garrison and deployed military settings, said psychology is a broad field. She advised students interested in this field to shadow a psychologist or a social worker and consider volunteering. Boyd shared that in addition to serving as a Soldier, she is also the author of a series of children’s books on healthy coping skills.

Lopez said she joined the military for the educational benefits, adding that physical therapy is also a broad field in the Army. Stressing the importance of education, she added that there are also options within the federal government that will pay for school.

Phillips told the students he uses synthetic biology to engineer new detection systems and biomaterials. He advised the students to be intellectually curious and to pursue a career that aligns with their interests.

For example, Phillips said that due to his scientific background and work experience, he is drawn to learning more about incorporating products with artificial intelligence technology into his home.

“Being a scientist is being curious; you will always be tinkering with something,” he said.

Phillips also told the students about the Army Educational Outreach Program internships, which offer paid, hands-on research opportunities with real-world science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiences alongside renowned scientists and engineers.

Whitt talked about how he supports the military by testing various pieces of equipment for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Whitt said he enjoyed talking to the students and was impressed by the depth of their questions.

AVID Coordinator Lorraine Nau thanked all the guest presenters and said she hoped the students learned more about making informed decisions about college and how to prepare for the future.

For more information about the AVID program, visit https://www.avid.org/. For more information about AEOP, visit https://www.usaeop.com/.

For more photos, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagapg/albums/72177720323373158/.