At Amentum, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. In August, we’ll focus on our Next Gen Employee Resource Network while shining a light on one employee at a time. The NextGen ERN is a network where young professionals, and those young at heart, can come together to deepen Amentum’s culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Developing a sense of community, cultivating professional and personal growth opportunities, and fostering an environment of generational knowledge sharing. Today’s Q&A is with Vanessa Rodriguez, Assistant Lead Graphic Designer, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)/ Content Team.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I started working under the Macfadden contract in 2018 that was later acquired by PAE and then Amentum.
What are your professional aspirations?
My primary objective is to enhance my existing skill set and gain more knowledge in my current role, which will enable me to progress further in my career. I am dedicated to achieving professional growth and contributing towards the success of my organization.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
Our graphic design team focuses on creating visuals that help communicate BHA’s responses to external audiences. This includes designing and formatting fact sheets, humanitarian assistance overviews, blogs, and infographics. We also produce BHA’s Annual Report and design graphics for social media. Additionally, we support USAID messaging campaigns led by BHA. Our efforts have a positive impact on the organization by effectively communicating our services and goals to our audience.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
During my work on BHA’s Annual Report, I acquired valuable experience in overseeing large-scale projects. My responsibilities included gathering information and designing cohesive layouts that conveyed the organization’s message. This achievement is one of the highlights of my career, and I was also thrilled to be promoted to assistant lead graphic designer. It was gratifying to know that my colleagues appreciated my work and recognized my efforts.
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
Working with my colleagues is always a pleasure. I really appreciate the valuable insights and guidance provided by Amentum managers. Their leadership skills are truly admirable.
What are you passionate about?
I have a strong passion for creating designs that effectively communicate our organization’s purpose to the public. Additionally, I am highly motivated to continuously learn and gain experience in order to improve the efficiency of my work and transform design issues into valuable learning opportunities.
What’s the best your career advice you have received?
I received some wonderful career guidance from a colleague recently. They recommended approaching design challenges by taking a moment to step back and gather feedback from others. This way, we can incorporate multiple perspectives into our work and continue to grow and improve.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
To me, safety is about preventing harm or risks to oneself and others. I strongly believe in trusting one’s inner instincts when it comes to safety. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s best to find an alternative solution and reach out to other for advice or help.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
I find Adobe Creative Cloud to be a valuable tool that greatly assists me in my day-to-day work. Through the years, I’ve gained considerable knowledge about its various products and how they enhance my work efficiency, allowing me to tackle design issues more effectively.
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
It’s important to ask questions frequently, even if they may seem silly, and offer assistance whenever possible. If you’re unsure of how to help, guide them towards the appropriate resources.
Why is it important that we spotlight our unmatched NextGen Talent?
Recognizing the efforts of colleagues fosters a positive work environment and inspires pride and dedication in the team. It reinforces the value of everyone’s contributions and our common goal.
