Cristyn Cram
, AssociateWhy did you choose Booz Allen?
I first came to Booz Allen when I was in school and working temporary assignments to get a better idea of where I wanted to work, and this was the first environment where I felt at home. I really enjoyed the people I was working with and it seemed like an environment where I could grow and learn, so when I had the opportunity to stay on I welcomed it.
Why have you chosen to stay at Booz Allen?
I’ve stayed because of the people and the career opportunities here. Because I started working here when I was 19, I had very little professional experience—but since then the company has given me the opportunity to develop new skills as I’ve progressed in my career. I’ve also had the opportunity to move around in the company and take on new and challenging roles, which has kept the work interesting for me.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
My primary job is internal marketing and communications for the Core Services team. I work closely with the functional teams and the firm’s Marketing and Communications team to promote our internal services and systems to Booz Allen staff. In my work I do writing and design, as well as some web content management and usability work.
What excites you about your work?
I love the people I work with and I really enjoy the variety of projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on. Given that I support a team that represents a large cross section of internal functions, I’m always learning new things and meeting new people, which is exciting.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
Yes, I have several informal mentors, but throughout my career I've had formal mentors as well. Most of my mentoring relationships have evolved naturally from friendships or from working on projects with people. What I look for most in my mentors is both someone from whom I can get general career advice, but I also seek out people who are in my line of work, and who I can bounce ideas off of. In my position, my work is very different from what most of my co-workers do, so finding someone who does similar work is very important to me.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies that you could work for—what makes Booz Allen special?
For me, the difference is the caliber of people and the wide variety of opportunities available here. Having started working here at such a young age, my direction and interests have evolved and, as that’s happened, I’ve been amazed at the opportunities available and the support I’ve received to pursue these new interests.
How has Booz Allen helped you be ready for what’s next in your career?
Booz Allen has helped me with competencies in so many areas it’s hard to know where to begin. I think one of the most valuable things Booz Allen has taught me is how to think analytically and be a better problem solver. That and working collaboratively with diverse groups of people are skills that would be at the core of any position I can see myself pursuing in the future.
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?
The group I work with is tasked with improving internal processes and systems that ultimately help the firm operate more efficiently and drive down our internal costs—I think that’s the primary way that we’re helping. I think it’s important for all of us to look at what we’re doing and constantly ask ourselves how we can do it better and more efficiently so that Booz Allen can continue to be a market leader.
Can you talk about a time that you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
I’ve been working for several years now to promote the firm’s diversity initiative, so I’ve seen first hand how diversity plays out in our teams and how promoting diversity helps build a sense of community in the company. Most obvious is the fact that, when you work in an environment where different approaches are valued, it’s easier to come up with really creative and innovative solutions.
