Aug 29, 2012
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — A six-month job rotational assignment resulted in a new career path and skill set for NAVAIR’s Tatonya Holman.
Holman began her career in 2008 as a business financial manager supporting Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, but wanted the chance to gain new skills and experiences. She turned to NAVAIR’s Developmental Assignment Registry, an online national interactive database that allows Department of the Navy civil service employees to post their resumes and search and apply for rotational assignments.
There, she found an assignment for a senior community management specialist within NAVAIR’s Command Strategies, Force Planning and Analysis Division, under the guidance of Community Management Program Manager Adrienne Somerville. The Community Management Program offers policy and guidance on skill planning and management for employees, as well as a focus on career continuums and roadmaps.
Initially, Holman said she was nervous about working with a new set of people but found her new work environment to be an easy fit. She said she enjoyed learning to think strategically, using her leadership skills and working in an ever-changing office.
“I like being in a fast-paced environment; it motivates me and keeps me challenged,” she said.
Five months into her assignment, she talked to Somerville about making a career change and eventually did so in April 2012.
Now, she has the “people first” connection she always wanted.
In her current role, Holman helps coordinate quarterly workshops for various systems commands across the Navy and played a key part in developing the 2012 NAVAIR Career Guidebook, a self-help tool to assist employees on their career journeys.
Getting out of your comfort zone is important, Holman stressed. Somerville asked her to brief several senior leaders regarding her work with the guidebook. While initially nervous about public speaking, Holman said she enjoyed the chance to network and meet new people.
“It [the rotation] gives you breadth and depth of knowledge, something totally different from what you are used to,” she said.
Finding your career niche
Holman is just one of the several job rotational success stories to come out of NAVAIR’s Command Strategies, Force Planning and Analysis Department. Somerville alone has had at least four rotations in her office, including part-time, six-month, surge work and 90-day rotations.
Like Holman, Lainie Rodriguez embarked on a part-time, six-month rotation with Somerville’s office that later transitioned into a new position.
Rodriguez said she applied to the assignment to learn the specialized skill set commensurate with NAVAIR’s corporate operations and to eventually transition to an area she is passionate about — community management.
Now a senior community management analyst, Rodriguez said she has learned to look at things holistically from a command perspective and apply different methods based on customer expectations.
“Rotational assignments can be flexible, accommodating and work within the parameters of your current situation,” she said. “If you are not able to go for the length of time described on the assignment, try to discuss options with both the receiving and the current supervisor to see if they are able to adjust the assignment to work with your circumstances. You never know unless you try.”
Somerville said she posts openings on the DAR because, “I viewed the DAR as a rotational assignment not only to advertise something different, but to allow someone to step out of their comfort zone and perhaps return to their traditional career with an additional skill set,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to capitalize on the diverse talent within NAVAIR.”
Not only do rotational assignments help employees develop unique skill sets and hone their ability to make decisions, they also allow civilian employees to mimic the military construct of rotating jobs every few years. Rotations also mean departments, teams and sites can collaborate and exchange key information, Somerville said.
Bottom line, employees say rotational assignments help improve their job performance and reach their potential.
“Take the time to research where your skills really lie. It’s important to wake up with a passion for your career,” Holman said. “Be accountable, bold, confident.”
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