Cristine Kuckelman
, AssociateWhy did you choose Booz Allen?
I started working at Booz Allen directly after college and felt lucky to get my foot in the door here. I had interviewed with other companies in the area, and I was immediately struck by the connection I felt with Booz Allen during my interview. The managers I met made me feel very welcome and excited about the challenges and opportunities the job would offer me. This, coupled with Booz Allen’s reputation, made me decide I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.
Why have you chosen to stay at Booz Allen?
The years I’ve worked here have gone by very quickly! There are many reasons I stay. I began as a member of the administrative professional staff, and I’ve advanced to being an Associate. From the very start, my managers gave me challenging work and assigned me to projects that stretched me. They’ve kept me engaged in conversations about my career interests and have given me opportunities to work in different areas of Human Resources. As a result, I feel that I’ve had multiple jobs at Booz Allen over the years, which means my work is never stagnant. And of course, the lasting friendships I’ve made here also motivate me to come to work every day.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
I work on the Benefits Team, focusing on project management and communication as part of the firm’s internal support team. I research and write benefits and leave policies, working with colleagues firmwide to understand the needs of the business, what staff are looking for regarding benefits and leave programs, and how our current policies are meeting these needs. I also keep a finger on the pulse of the external market to monitor benefits best practices. Finally, I work on specific assignments; for example, most recently, I was program manager for the 2009 Benefits Open Enrollment process, in which employees choose and register for their annual benefits packages.
What excites you about your work?
What excites me is that each day is different and challenging and brings me a new problem to solve. I like being able to coordinate a call with colleagues across the nation and to work with them to find a path forward—and we do find a way forward every time. We have diverse backgrounds and skills, so everyone brings a different perspective; I learn something new from my colleagues every day.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
I’ve had various mentors over the years; as my role has changed, my mentors also have changed to align with my career goals. I’ve relied on my mentors for advice about issues on assignments. I’ve also gone to them for career advice before changing roles, talking through the pros and cons of my decision. My mentors have always pushed me to take on new assignments and to expand my skills through training and development. For instance, my mentors know that I shy away from presentations, so they make sure I find opportunities to present policies to staff members. They provide that extra nudge I need to take the next step.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies that you could work for—what makes Booz Allen special?
Booz Allen offers challenging work and a sense of camaraderie—and the firm really cares about its people. I see this in many different ways, particularly in the seriousness with which the company takes its employee surveys. Our leadership really listens to employee feedback and looks at programs that should be changed. The company’s concern for its employees is evident, too, in the diverse set of benefit and leave programs we have in place. We are always looking inward to see how we can improve, reevaluating our programs to ensure we are providing what is best for staff.
How has Booz Allen helped you be ready for what’s next in your career?
I’m ready for what’s next because I have managers who push me out of my comfort zone. The result is that I’ve been successful in taking on new challenges even when I didn’t know I was ready for them. I’ve been able to build on the fundamental skills I’ve learned. I’ve gone from providing support on projects, to contributing to part of a project, to leading a workstream, to where I am today: leading a project for my team.
How do you help Booz Allen be ready for what’s next? How do you help your clients be ready for what’s next? How has your and your team’s work made an impact for the firm?
As a member of the Benefits Team, my clients are Booz Allen’s leadership and staff members. As the company’s business strategy evolves, we look at ways to ensure that our programs remain market competitive and meet the needs of our diverse workforce. We work with leadership to explore new programs, refine existing ones, and communicate their value to staff.
Can you talk about a time when you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
One Core Value I see all the time is teamwork—collectively thinking through problems to find the best solution. I also am impressed with the spirit of service I see here. For example, each fall, our team comes together to raise funds for charities. It’s great to see how we unite around a common goal, how people volunteer their time to raise money, and how the team comes up with new ideas to exceed the previous year’s goal. Even when we are busy and have a lot going on, we make time to work together for the community.
