Maresa DriverBusiness and Strategic Manager

What is your past experience and how did you get started in this field? My degree is in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and I was a co-op student sponsored by the Navy while in college. This was a great program where every month the Navy paid for my education I committed to working the equivalent time for them as a civilian. At that time I began by working for Naval Air Systems Command in various divisions. Post-graduation I was hired into the Nuclear Engineering Department at NNSY. I’ve held a variety of positions to include Project Engineer and Planning Manager on one of the CVN-71 availabilities, Branch Head for the Material Procurement Branch, Nuclear Waterfront Operations Manager, and Project Superintendent for the inactivation of USS Atlanta (SSN 712) and MTS DEMA just to name a few.

What is your approach to work-life balance? What has proven to be your most successful strategy for this and why? Maintaining a work-life balance is always a challenge. During most

of my career I was raising my son and daughter as a single parent. They would probably be better at answering the question on how I did with that! How one makes career decisions is personal and different for everyone. There were jobs I did not apply for during my career because I felt the timing was not right. The time I wanted to commit to my children and what I would expect of myself to perform the potential new job well did not always align. Being available for homework and to attend after school activities was important to me. As they became older and there were opportunities available that I felt fit our lifestyle, I would apply. I think it all worked out. I am proud of both of my children and the things I’ve been able to accomplish at NNSY. These days since I’ve re-married I now have a total of four children and one grandchild. The work-life balance is still challenging but I believe in working hard and “playing hard” so I focus on work when it’s time to work and have fun with family, friends, and other interests when not at work and I try to make that distinction. If we are fortunate to live long enough, life has a way of keeping you grounded and helps you to realize what’s important. I feel like I get a wake-up call when the work-life balance scales begin to tip too much in any one direction.

What is your greatest professional achievement and why? I think my greatest professional achievement is holding the record for the ex-USS Atlanta Inactivation. In spite of other availabilities on the waterfront demanding resources, we were able to execute that availability below budget and on schedule. It was really a team effort and we were a fairly new team so I was proud of what we were able to accomplish despite all the obstacles.

Why would you encourage young women to go into a STEM field? The landscape in the STEM world is changing. There are even more opportunities available than there have been in the past. The work and careers that you can choose to be a part of can be both rewarding and fulfilling. There is also the added benefit of being role models for other young girls in the same away that others paved the road for me.

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For more information go to: http://www.cvent.com/events/2011-women-of-color-stem-conference/custom-114-7e96edb54bb44df8a74d8bdf3e6b55f9.aspx