REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Aug. 12, 2024) – An internship can set you on your career path – or it can tell you what you do not want to do with your life.
Luckily for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, Michaela Dent’s internship showed her that she wanted to make the Center her professional home.
Dent said it was a combination of supportive supervisors, the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects and the importance placed on work/life balance that made up her mind.
“My experience at AvMC has been amazing. When I was an intern, they put me on different projects to see where I would fit. I appreciate that because that's what made me enjoy working for AvMC and got me to where I am now.”
The Huntsville native grew up the second of four sisters in a close-knit family. She found her calling in cyber security at New Century Technology High School, a STEM magnet high school. While studying cyber security engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, she came on board with the Center as an intern. But like so many other students at the time, the COVID-19 pandemic upended her best-laid plans.
“The main challenge was assigning me a project that I could work on from home that was still relevant to what I would do if I were onsite. There was a lot of work with computer engineering/architecture and electrical engineering at the Protective Technologies Division. My mentor gave me an Arduino Uno board and many different projects to perform on it that would eventually make me feel comfortable transitioning to onsite work.”
After graduation, Dent accepted a computer engineering position with the hope that as she broadened her experience it would take her back to cyber security. In the past year, her role in the Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering and Integration Directorate has enabled her to step back into that world.
Dent said that while she has been fortunate to have mentors at AvMC to help her guide her career trajectory, she recognized a need to also find co-workers in her stage of life. That is where the Center’s Young Professional program came into play.
“I joined YP to gain a sense of community at AvMC. Due to the age gap, I sometimes cannot relate to the general workforce at AvMC. YP allows me to connect with people I can relate to regarding work and personal interests.
“The benefits from joining YP are endless! I have learned so much about the work AvMC does for the Army through YP meetings. Knowing the larger picture makes me feel as though my work has a greater impact on the organization and our country. Not only do we have meetings and tours to become acquainted with other areas in AvMC, but we also have fun events outside of work. I have enjoyed the baseball games and movie nights hosted by YP, and I hope to go to so many more.”
For the new graduates starting their career, it wasn’t long ago that she was in their place and Dent shared what has worked for her as she has moved into her professional era. Communication – especially with your first line supervisor – is key, she said.
“Get involved, be active, be present, so you will know exactly what your career can look like.”
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