For the second year in a row, a Huntsville Center employee received the “Michael Nobels Newcomer” Award for her work as a first-time consultant supporting the 43rd annual Alabama A&M University Youth Motivational Task Force Conference March 11-13.
Keanna Houston with Huntsville Center’s Contracting Directorate was credited for her dedication and enthusiasm at the 2018 event, following in the footsteps of Shirley Burke-Mitchell, also with Contracting, who won last year.
“Winning the Michael Nobel's award was a complete honor,” Houston said. “I was just having fun and inspiring young people like myself to never give up and take advantage of every opportunity given to them. The fact that I was recognized was an amazing and humbling experience, and I look forward to going back year after year.”
Other Huntsville Center employees participating in the event included Felicia McBride, Joel Williams, Pamela Smith and Veronica Hannahs, all with Contracting Directorate, and Angela Morton, Equal Employment Opportunity.
The group of seven served as consultants to discuss career opportunities in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the federal government. They explained how the work world operates and shared their personal career experiences. These professionals provided students with the direction and insight so necessary in making realistic career decisions.
“I was thoroughly impressed with Alabama A&M University's investment in the success of their students,” Houston said. “Being a graduate of AAMU, I remembered hearing about this program but never really thought much of it until Felicia McBride asked me to be a consultant and represent Huntsville Center.
“For three days I met amazingly talented students and networked with professionals from all over the country,” she said. “I learned so much from this experience and even was inspired to do more for my own career.”
One of the highlights of the year for AAMU students is the visit of YMTF consultants. The National College YMTF program has helped more than 5 million students become aware of the variety of careers available to them in the private and public sectors.
Throughout the day, teams of two to four professionals visited classrooms across campus where they shared career advice, trials, challenges, triumphs, words of wisdom and encouragement. Through their personal accomplishments, the consultants showed, first-hand, the personal and professional rewards that can be reaped from hard work and perseverance. They discussed possible solutions to problems students may face and informed them of skills they will need to succeed in the workplace. In addition, they took the opportunity to inform students of the Pathways Program at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and how they can use the skills they learn in their degree programs in fields such as contracting. Mock interviews were conducted in the afternoon, as well as an evening session on mentoring.
Planned and organized by the AAMU Career Development Services, the event was an outreach effort that leads to getting the right people for the right job, according to Morton. It publicized Huntsville Center as an organization that contributes to the local community, expanded our partnership with local schools and increased participation of its employees.