Sierra Carlson

My success is the result of merit alone. I come from a poor, unknown family, grew up in a low-income neighborhood, and am transgender; thus, I face several layers of barriers to entry into areas I made my way into through simply being among the best at what I do. I didn't have the money to pay for connections, and built them through excellence rather than influence. I strive to excel in everything I do because I don't have the option not to overachieve if I want to be noticed.

The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared," and is the best advice I've ever received. Being prepared means knowing what your plan is, what can go wrong with your plan, how you can adapt to each contingency, and having what you need to do so. Being prepared has kept me afloat during many sticky situations I've found myself in, as I ran into each of many obstacles to success that I face on account of my background, my socioeconomic status, or my identity. If I hadn't been prepared at any point, I could have ended up on the street or worse. So, the best career advice that I've ever received, that I can pass on so other young transgender women don't need to face the things that I have is this: Always, always..."Be Prepared."

My advice to young women entering this industry is to recognize that the work we do requires unique skills and resilience—only a select few are cut out for it. Be proud of your capabilities and what you bring to the table. Don’t let fear hold you back; instead, let it fuel your determination and drive you forward. Don't let anyone tell you what you are or aren't capable of, and if they do, make it your mission to prove them wrong. And always be prepared, because this world is often unkind to us.

Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community has historically presented significant barriers to entry into the professional workforce in general, and the intelligence community in particular. However, in 2026 those barriers are higher than they have been in decades. I am barred from serving my country in the armed forces, and face discrimination on top of the federal hiring freeze. The hiring freeze and cuts to the intelligence community under the current administration present a unique opportunity for a transgender woman's entry to the intelligence community in the future, as subsequent administrations will undo the discriminatory prohibition on transgender hiring while concurrently facing a severe talent vacuum.

The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are those I learned from Scout Law: being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. They shape how I approach every challenge and relationship. I swore to obey the Scout Law and to do my best to do my duty to G-d and my country, and that Scout Oath is as sacred to me as any oath I swear.