Kathleen Brett

I attribute my success to being an only child, which meant I had a lot to do with nobody else to pass anything off to. My parents really instilled a good work ethic in me from an early age. I was a big marching band kid, and they had me march around the house and do my spelling words. Being in marching band, I was in band all throughout high school as the only 8th grader, which was really intimidating. I proved to myself that I could handle responsibility and be a part of something bigger. In college, our marching band was 500 people. I'm kind of surprised sometimes to learn that my counterparts who are a little more advanced in their career just haven't had the same leadership experience as myself. I really think that leadership, you don't lose those skills. In college, I was a section leader on a team of seven, leading 60 people in my section. That's a lot of logistics. I really think I take those skills with me, and I just need to remind myself sometimes that just because I'm more junior doesn't mean those skills have evaporated. I can use those skills in different ways. I was in band all throughout college, and it forged really great connections with people. My 3 best friends were all in band with me. I was a lifeguard and I've done a lot of different leadership things, so I'm just itching to get to a point where I can mentor. I'm really grateful for the past leadership experience and support I've had because I think that really has made a difference.

I realized I didn't have to be a STEM person to get in space, and I think that's my MO now - you can still contribute to the industry without being perfect at math. Don't limit yourself. I was asked how do you not feel competitive with your peers, especially your female peers, when you go to networking events, and I think you really just need to be confident that what you bring to the table isn't what others bring to the table. You don't have to help all your friends network, but really find your group of women. I have a friend that networked for me at a conference because she and I have different focuses. She's a great friend doing great things in her own route, and it's really great to have those female contacts that we're not competition. I find a lot of times, sometimes generationally, how women support women can differ in DC. A lot of women were in a position where they were the only ones, so they really had to stand out. I'm trying to figure out what that looks like for my generation, Gen Z, and how just because we didn't have things as easy as others, how can I make that easier and not feel like I've missed out on something while making it easier for those who come next. Another piece of advice I was given recently was be confident in what your networking approach is. You don't have to go to every event. My boyfriend and I have what we call the happy hour rule - if you're not happy after an hour, you can leave. Sometimes there's four happy hours in a week. You don't have to go to them all or stay the whole time because you should have a robust personal life outside of work.

I think everybody should have things outside of work that fulfill them and support them, wherever your found family is. I think that's really valid and important, so I just try to prioritize them in my own way. I'm really lucky to have a boyfriend that pushes me to not be a workaholic early in my career, because I think if I wasn't dating him, I would tend to be like that. I'm really lucky to have him and other friends that are like, no, we're going to do something else. I think having that support system outside of your immediate workplace is really crucial to being successful, especially by other women, but also just other people. One of my really good friends from grad school works across the street, and during lunch we'll go on walks. It's nice just to have a sounding board that's not in my immediate work circle to give me advice and feedback.