After a decade in the military nonprofit sector, I took a leap to a new industry with Lockheed Martin. I have worked in a variety of different roles within communications such as undersea warfare and cyber before taking on a new role as a technical assistant. Most recently, I have made a move to a comms role in training and logistics.

Aside from career growth, I’ve enjoyed many opportunities while working here – shaping strategy, advancing inclusion, working with cool people and technology and touring a submarine, to name a few. However, the biggest benefit of working at Lockheed Martin is the flexibility to live my life.

As a communications professional, planning for crisis scenarios is something that I know quite well.  All of that training went out the window when a crisis hit my personal life in a way that I did not foresee. In 2020, in the midst of navigating a global pandemic, my husband and I found ourselves displaced from our home due to a devastating housefire.

This was unchartered territory to us and we had to quickly spring into action. My supportive family was there with us every step of the way but the support of my colleagues was something that I had never imagined. My work team consistently reached out to me with words of encouragement and offerings. My leader also gave me the time that I needed to recover and help my family, worry-free. 

I not only had the flexibility to take paid time off but my leader and team showed up for me in a way that wasn’t required and was completely unexpected. A combination of love and support from both my work team and my friends and family gave me the strength to get through the most difficult time of my life to date.

Since that difficult time, the optics of my work environment have changed. I’ve become a fully remote employee who still maintains a flexible schedule. In addition to our off Fridays (yes, parts of our business get three-day weekends every week), I’m also empowered to be flexible when I plan a vacation, have an appointment or simply need time to myself.

During a time when companies everywhere are struggling with what the future of remote work looks like, Lockheed Martin has retained the flexibility we've spent years building. Because of my story and the support of Lockheed Martin and my colleagues, I love what I do and where I work.