Early Career Professional Session Inspires, Excites Participants Ahead of Workshop

Martin Schneider, president of Longenecker & Associates, speaks with U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Senior Advisor Candice Robertson during "A Career Conversation with EM's Cleanup Chief," part of the 2024 National Cleanup Workshop's Early Career Professional Session.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2024 National Cleanup Workshop kicked off its 10th year with an event dedicated to early career professionals, offering them insights into how to grow and succeed in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) cleanup program.

The pre-conference workshop began with remarks from Kristen Ellis, DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) associate principal deputy assistant secretary for regulatory and policy affairs, and Martin Schneider, president of Longenecker & Associates.

They reminded participants that qualification for the session is not determined by age, but by years of involvement in the EM program. The session was geared to people involved in the cleanup program for less than five years.

Audience members at the Early Career Professional Session.

In a conversation with attendees, EM Senior Advisor Candice Robertson reflected on her professional journey, sharing lessons, stories and advice.

Robertson discussed her career path leading to her current position as head of EM, from dreaming of becoming a dolphin trainer to serving as a Nye County commissioner in Nevada at age 23, and the diverse staff and leadership roles she has held at DOE, including EM.

"I learned so much in each of those positions," Robertson said, "but especially the ones that were outside my comfort zone." She didn't work to a particular career plan, she said, but instead found success by working hard on the job at hand, being strategic in solving problems, and being willing to go where DOE leadership needed her most. "That allowed me to gain broad experience and build a network across DOE that continues to be important to me today."

A panel discussion focused on supplementary career experiences was held as part of the Early Career Professional Session. From left: Colin Jones, deputy general manager, North American Nuclear; James Blankenhorn, senior vice president and lead of environment and security, Amentum; Erik Olds, deputy manager, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management; moderator Kristen Ellis, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management associate principal deputy assistant secretary for regulatory and policy affairs; JJ Chavez, council member, City of Carlsbad, New Mexico; Allison Finelli, chief of staff, DOE Office of Legacy Management; and Joe Aylor, director of Critical Projects, UCOR.

In a panel that encouraged the audience to focus on supplementary career experiences they can bring back to their work in the EM cleanup, six panelists highlighted different roles they've held that strengthened their careers. They include a congressional fellowship, business development rotation and chief of staff position. The panelists also cited running for local public office, moving between headquarters and field assignments, and serving in the Army Reserve and National Guard.

Joe Aylor, director of Critical Projects for Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) contractor UCOR, reflected on his former experience as a business development director at Amentum. He said working in a different field helps give you a broader, deeper understanding of the overall mission for the agency where you work.

Erik Olds, OREM deputy manager, discussed how he moved between headquarters and field assignments. The former EM communications director said that switching positions in his career has opened a lot of doors for him, echoing the advice Robertson gave earlier in the event.

From left, panelists Faith Sanchez, Samina Mondal and Camryn Mikesell are pictured during a roundtable discussion titled, "Early Career Perspectives."

Participants also heard from other early career professionals, including Ellen Howe, project engineer, Longenecker & Associates; Natalie Lackey, capture manager, Fluor Corporation; Mireya Martinez, project controls specialist, Waste Treatment Plant; Camryn Mikesell, nuclear engineer, HII; Samina Mondal, program analyst, EM; and Faith Sanchez, program director, Energy Communities Alliance.

Panelist Samina Mondal, an EM program analyst, reflected on her experience with the EM Pathways Program, which led to her current role in EM's Office of Workforce Management. The program also provided training and mentorship, and eased Mondal's transition to the workforce.

-Contributors: Carly Howard, Matt Roberts