At Amentum, we celebrate our people and our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. For February, we’ll reflect on what Black History Month means to all of us while shining a light on one employee at a time. Amentum’s next spotlight is on Donald Mitchell, IT Desktop & Asset Support Manager, Corporate.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I started in a contract to hire position in 2016, and have been with the company ever since.
What is your professional and personal background?
Professionally, I have worked in the Information Technology realm for over 20 years. Personally, I am active with my church and fraternity (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.). I also love to work with youth.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
Professionally, my role within Amentum is to ensure that we are providing hardware and software upon request in a timely fashion, so that our customers are able to continue with their responsibilies. Personally, my work with youth is to direct them and guide them along a positive path. I aim to provide an example that will inspire them to realize and achieve their greatest aspirations.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
One of my greatest personal accomplishments has been matriculating through college and graduate school, obtaining three degrees in the process. This is important to me because I am a first-generation college graduate, and my parents were able to see me graduate on all three levels. One of my proudest career moments is successfully managing the integration of two companies into the Amentum environment, while not allowing my day-to-day responsibilities to falter.
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
Amentum has afforded me the opportunity to work with some great people. I have made relationships (both personal and professional) that have taught me so much about myself and how I can and do contribute to the success of Amentum. The company has also afforded me the chance to grow in my ability to lead people, as well as allowed me to shine as a manager of projects.
What are you passionate about?
Youth. I believe youth are indeed our future, and we should provide positive examples for them to follow. If we aim to do anything in life, it should be to set a path for them to follow to improve upon what we’ve already established. I’m also very passionate about mental and physical health. If we aim to live many years, we need to make sure to take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally.
What’s your career advice?
Always make sure that you put your best foot forward in anything you aim to do. You never know who is watching and how that perception could affect your future.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
My favorite safety tip is always watch both ways before crossing the street and after looking both ways, look again. People don’t always believe in stopping for pedestrians.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
The light bulb. Darkness is great at times, but we need to see. Especially when looking for lost things.
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
Much like what I noted above, always put your best foot forward in life. You never know who is watching and how that could affect how someone’s perception of you could change (for better or for worse).
Considering this monthly observance, tell us more about yourself. Please address one or more of the following questions:
What’s your favorite book?
Charlotte’s Web. It’s a strong testament to living life to the fullest, no matter what you think the outcome is. You never know how it may change.
Favorite film?
Coming to America and Clue. If you’ve seen either or both of them, no explanation needed.
