At Amentum, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. In March, we’ll focus on Women’s History Month while shining a light on one employee at a time. Today’s Q&A is with Nicole Petty, Capture Director, National Security/Intelligence.
How did your military service prepare you for a successful career at Amentum?
My military service enabled me to become an accountable, reliable, and trustworthy employee focused on the mission, but more importantly, mission success. The military allows individuals to form a bond and rely on your counterparts to enable teamwork—this truly helped me learn how to collaborate across all functions to ensure mission outcomes are met.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I joined Amentum to gain the experience and structure needed to support large business development organizations. The knowledge I learn daily from my leaders and my co-workers enables me to be more proficient in my trade and then to help others grow alongside of me!
What is your professional and personal background?
My professional background includes joining the U.S. Navy at 19 years old and becoming a CTT where I supported my country for almost eight years. I later moved on to become a government contractor where I supported the Office of Naval Intelligence and Marine Corps Intelligence Activity Office as an Electronic Warfare SME. These career decisions formed who I am today at my core, and it allows me to bring those characteristics, goals and aspirations for the future into my current job at Amentum.
My personal background includes a loving husband, Joseph, and my two beautiful children, Mason (14), and Erica (8). I could not be where I am today without the dedication, love and support my family gives to me on a daily basis! I also have two cute pup pups, Chunky (French Bulldog), and Biggie (Old English Bulldog) whom I get to spend all of my free time cuddling with the kiddos!
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
I currently support Amentum’s business development goals in pursuing and winning federal government contracts to help grow our company’s presence around the world. This work really means a lot to me and it is something that I love doing!
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
I was nominated Sailor of the Year on my ship in the U.S. Navy. It was out of 5,000 people, and I had to do boards and answer very specific questions. It truly made me proud to be a part of the Navy and I will remember that day for the rest of my life.
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
I enjoy working in a collaborative team environment at Amentum. I feel like my voice is heard, and I have input in our daily operations. My leaders enable me to be a positive, outside-the-box thinker, and I would not be where I am today without their continued and dedicated support.
What are you passionate about?
I am most passionate about influencing those around me to be the best that they can be. Everyone has a unique talent they can bring to the table to make our solution more impactful. I like finding out those unique talents and showcasing them to everyone for recognition and then ensuring those talents get leveraged.
What’s your career advice?
My career advice would be to be the best that you can be in your field. Typically, this involves doing a lot of tedious work and learning about your trade inside out. It is not easy, but the most rewarding things in life are not easy. If it is hard, or you don’t understand something, ASK the question! Find your mentors and people who want to help you succeed. Build those relationships. This will enable you to become more successful in your career—but again, it takes hard work, long hours, and sacrifice. But know, YOU CAN DO IT!
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
My number one safety tip would be to not forget about self-care. This is crucial—and something that I often forget. On the flip side, it is not something that you lose forever, you can always get it back. So take some time in your daily life to focus on YOU. Your self-care time is critical to your path to success.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
The best invention in the world would be communications! Sometimes for work I have to travel or work long hours but having the ability to call or video home makes me extremely grateful for communications! So thank you, Mr. Bell!
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
Be yourself! You can never go wrong with being your positive, encouraging and happy self!
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a time to reflect. To acknowledge contributions made by women past and present, for the sacrifices and impacts of those women, and how we can continue those efforts for decades to come. This month means everything to me, and every woman should know how truly special they are and what they do matters. We got this ladies!
