Current Business & Technology Management master鈥檚 student Jenny Schroeder was recently promoted to a Project Management position at Northrop Grumman Corporation. We had the opportunity to speak with her about her new position.
Educational and professional background.
I attended Stevenson and graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 in Business Administration with a minor in Information Systems. I have been with Northrop Grumman Corporation for almost six years and have served in Operations Management, Finance, Cyber Security, and Project Management. Currently, I am earning my master鈥檚 in Business & Technology Management with 果冻传媒直播 Online.
What is your current position?
I recently started my new position working in Project Management. I oversee and manage the operational aspects of ongoing projects and serve as liaison between project management and planning, project team, and line management. I review the status of projects and budgets, manage schedules, and prepare status reports.
Tell us about your recent promotion.
When I went for my interview for a new position, I told them about my experience in the program management class in the Business & Technology Management program. The program and the support provided by Stevenson鈥檚 faculty and staff helped me to secure the promotion and move up in the company.
How are the faculty and staff helping you reach your education or career goals?
果冻传媒直播 Online鈥檚 faculty are great and accommodating to my professional career. They have challenged me so far during my classes. The staff at Stevenson have been very helpful. Whenever I need assistance with registering or deciding what classes to take, my Student Success Coach helped me through it. Also, if I have any questions, the staff is very quick to respond and give me guidance. I can say enough of how appreciative I am of their help.
What are the most challenging and fulfilling aspects of your job?
The most challenging aspect of the job is understanding the culture. Moving to a different location with a different customer can cause for a slow start. But I have been able to keep up with the work they have asked me to perform so far. What we do at Northrop Grumman matters to the world. We build, test, and then ship it out to companies that need the material. We do not just design here, but we make things happen. It is very rewarding to see the work performed here and then being used in the real world.
What are the key characteristics needed to succeed in your field?
Having good communication skills. Communication skills are essential in virtually any job. Working in project management, we are working with everyone from finance, global supply chain, to contracts. If we are all not on the same page, then it will be impossible to complete a task on time or deliver a quality product.
What would you consider the most important thing you have learned?
Knowing how to manage your financials and employees. As long as we hit our numbers, upper management will be satisfied. Producing the best quality product in a timely manner will also satisfy the customers. Working mostly with numbers throughout my career as led me to always think about the financials.
What is the advice would you give to anyone starting out in the business/technology field?
Always listen. Everyone has different ideas and think their idea is the best way to approach anything. I like to pick ideas from everyone. Sometimes one way will work in one situation and a different idea will work in another situation. But learn as much as you can from everyone and make your own way.
What are a few hobbies and interests of yours?
I love sports. I watch everything from baseball, to football, to college lacrosse. I try to make sure when I get home, I turn on sports and turn off work. It is important for me to also stay active, so I try to work out as much as I can or do outdoor activities.
Who inspires you?
Many people inspire me, but the two people that inspire me the most are my niece and nephew. I want to be able to give them everything they deserve and will work as hard as I can to make sure that happens. I try to be a great role model for them and show them they can do anything through hard work.