WORKFORCE
“No one is going to care as much about your career as you.”
college,” she explained. “For the college mentoring program, we talk about ways to find internships or jobs, as well as non-work things like how to practice for an interview or how to meet people outside of work—the details of what life is like after college. Our goal is to get everyone set up for success.”
Her support of others isn’t limited to the STEM Outreach Program. “I love talking with newer personnel,” she noted. “Beyond navigating the sometimes-confusing systems, from timekeeping to travel, I love being able to answer their ques- tions and share points that can help them thrive in our workplace. Sometimes, it’s not what they want to hear, but it’s important to hear the hard lessons before they sneak up.”
Earlier this year, Falcigno participated in the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP). Te three-month program “provided not just career development but also a chance to grow personally to be a better leader at work,” she said. “It was chal- lenging and unbelievably rewarding. I highly recommend it.”
She learned three things from the program. “First, vulnerabil- ity is not weakness and is incredibly important to being a leader. Second, your presence speaks louder than your voice; how you present yourself informs others of your character before they even meet you. Finally, there are so many factors, layers and traits to communication, and having difficult conversations should not be avoided.”
She also learned about active listening and asking powerful ques- tions, “and that has helped me facilitate deeper conversations with coworkers, friends and family. Te techniques for approaching difficult conversations have helped me not let problems stew and to speak with composure through challenging topics,” she added. “Many of the hands-on activities were highly challenging and provided a safe space for me to learn about myself and practice my developmental points before bringing them into my workplace.”
She’s grateful for the connections that the program provided. “Te network I now have following this program has given me so many perspectives across DOD, many of whom I would have never considered on my own or with my existing network. I now know that I can reach out to any of my cohort-mates with
questions or concerns or for advice and they will do all they can to help me. I would do the same for them.”
She’s quick to recommend the program to others. “Te fact that such an intense and challenging course is open to a wide range of grades—GS-07 to GS-12 or equivalents—is an amazing opportunity. It will push you physically, mentally and emotion- ally, but it will also develop you personally and professionally. It sounds cliché, but the lessons, friends and memories are truly irreplaceable.”
At the completion of the program, Falcigno was one of two in her cohort to receive the Dr. Fiona Burdick Special Act Award. Te peer-nominated award honors Dr. Fiona Burdick, whose 27-year federal service career included contributions that were instrumental to developing DCELP. It recognizes outstanding service, leadership and teamwork and honors program partici- pants who make above-and-beyond contributions to their peers.
“I was surprised that I received the award,” Falcigno said. “One of the things that comes up when people discuss it is that it honors behind-the-scenes contributions, but I consider myself a front-of- the scenes kind of person. I had a leadership role and I’m more of a cheerleader and team motivator who’s not afraid of speaking up. But in reading the comments of the people who nominated me, I realized that I contributed a lot of small-group morale- building and provided one-on-one support that my team found helpful. Overall, I was proud and humbled that they selected me.”
When she’s not at work, Falcigno spends time painting, crochet- ing and cooking, as well as traveling. “I like to be active, and I love to participate in and organize activities,” she said. “My personality outside of work is very similar to how I am at work: I approach my work with gusto, tackling problems that do not have obvious solutions and working through complex projects enthusiastically.”
—SUSAN L. FOLLETT
https://
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