Jones said there are
simple strategies young people should follow that can result in a far richer, beneficial experience while attending BEYA and other conferences: B Do some homework about some of the companies with which you wish to connect. Having some basic knowledge about the company will provide talking points when having a discussion with a company representative. “If you go to the Northrop Grumman booth looking for a job or internship and we ask, ‘What do you know about Northrop Grumman?’ and you say, ‘I don’t know anything,’ that’s not good.” B Observe the behavior of executives and leaders. How do they carry themselves? How do they interact with others? Are they making eye contact with the person they are taking with? Are they showing others respect? How are they demonstrating attentiveness and engagement? Note a few positive leadership traits, and try to emulate those behaviors. B Make sure you network and follow up with an email to those you wish to
make an impression on and with whom you hope to develop a relationship. Too few people follow up after an event, and that post-event contact helps an individual to stand out. Don’t neglect staying in touch with students you meet from other colleges and universities either. These people will be climbing the corporate or military ladder as well and may be in a position to be helpful to you and you helpful to them one day. B Attend as many seminars as possible, sit in a front seat, and have a question to ask the panelists or presenters at the appropriate time. By sitting up front, you get a better, close- up look at the presenter, which will help you remember them.
www.blackengineer.com
“To me, it’s a reflection of what’s good about our country...I worked hard, and it kinda worked out.”
— Christopher T. Jones
Corporate Vice President and President Northrop Grumman Technology Services
Asking a question may help them remember you. “You never know where you are going to run into these folks again.” B Be prepared to answer the question “Why do you want to work here?” with more than “I need a job or internship.” Sharing how your skills and knowledge can be of benefit to the company is how to make an impression. Jones joined Northrop Grumman in 2004 as director of
product support for the Airborne Early Warning Program. He previously worked at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. as a lead analyst, flight tests and research on rotorcraft technology. Jones leads businesses for approximately 14,000 employees
at more than 400 locations throughout the United States and in 16 countries, supporting a diverse customer base, including the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, State, and Interior; NASA; the U.S. Postal Service; and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. Jones, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace
engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology as well as two master’s degrees and a doctorate, also served in the Air Force as a systems analyst. Jones said the work of BEYA and other organizations is
critical to foster young people to enter the field. “We need more STEM folks in this country,” he said, noting
that defense companies such as Northrop Grumman can’t hire people from foreign countries. “All these companies have hundreds and hundreds of
openings,” Jones said. “We have to develop the talent we need. It’s strategically important to our country.” When asked what being selected as the 2016 Black Engineer
of the Year means to him, Jones gave a patriotic answer. “To me, it’s a reflection of what’s good about our country,” he said, noting working diligently and being in service to his country through military service as well as attending multiple universities. “I worked hard, and it kinda worked out.” “All these things had to happen for me to be in a position to
win the award,” said Jones. He added that young people shouldn’t be in awe of his
accomplishments. “I was no different from them…. There’s nothing stopping them from being me,” said Jones. S
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