Erika Simonsen, Senior Consultant
When asked what her experience at Booz Allen Hamilton has taught her so far, senior consultant Erika Simonsen is quick to respond. “I’ve learned that I’m capable of going far if I simply follow and believe in the firm’s core values. Every single co-worker and manager that I’ve had has instilled something in me that I continue to build on and carry with me on each subsequent project.”
Erika Simonsen
Since joining Booz Allen in 2005, Erika has worked primarily in the IT systems – civil entitlements sector to hone her skills in systems training, requirements analysis, and project analysis through the system development lifecycle.
“While all my projects have been rewarding, positive, and enormous learning experiences, the first remains my favorite,” she says. Her first role was as a systems trainer. “It allowed me to use my master’s degree and make a transition from my previous experience into an opportunity to travel around the country to train the client’s employees. Each stay in each city was five days, so a full experience of the area was easily obtainable.”
Since then, she has contributed to a variety of assignments, including acting as task lead for a federal agency’s internal website redesign. The project encompassed the entire system development lifecycle and required her to meet with senior-level clients. Although she was challenged by the project’s quick turnaround, “it helped build my confidence to lead and deliver on such an important task,” she says.
Erika also served as a requirements analyst during the development of one of the leading federal agency grant management systems: “It was challenging work where teamwork was vital and valued, and the skills I gained are helping me build on my career goals.”
Booz Allen’s Spirit of Service
After receiving a M.S. degree in technology for education and training and a B.S. in secondary English education from the University of South Dakota, Erika worked as a high school teacher in rural South Dakota. But at Booz Allen, she thinks she may have found her true calling.
“The firm’s encouragement to explore all avenues is a great motivator,” she says. “I’m constantly encouraged to follow the path that’s best suited to my goals and happiness. I know a good thing when I find it, and I’ve found it in a career at Booz Allen. The overall positive culture encompasses all the aspects of a career that promotes a work–life balance.
“I’ve also had the pleasure of getting involved with internal initiatives, which always result in rewarding experiences,” she adds. “For example, I’m Booz Allen’s volunteer coordinator for the Northern Virginia Family Services Training Futures Program, where I coordinate lab assistants for the instructor led computer classes.” For this effort, she was awarded a Booz Allen Woman of Success honor. “I also coordinate sponsors/mentors for new hires on my home team, which gives me the opportunity to meet all of the new hires and work with and meet other team members, serving as sponsors, outside of project work. I’m also involved in the Women’s Forum.”
Career Development and Training
Erika continues to be impressed with the firm’s internal training programs, and looks forward to continuing her professional education. “Booz Allen’s training is amazing. The ‘Facilitating World Class Training’ course was excellent. While I was already pretty well-informed in the course content, the firm really did their research to provide the most forward-thinking learning philosophies and helped me brush up on my training knowledge and skills. ‘Managing People for Peak Performance’ was also a great course and set me up with great tools, tips, and techniques for managing on future tasks.”
profile posted May 21, 2007
