Learn why Michaela Negus loves her job as a Technical Business Development Specialist at Sandia National Laboratories.
May 29, 2019
minute read time
Michaela Negus is a Technical Business Development Specialist. She joined Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2012. Michaela provides technical and strategic support for the Firing and Embedded Systems group, which develops components, subsystems, and systems used in U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force nuclear weapons and other national security programs. Michaela has deep expertise in configuration management, strategic planning, and technical communications. She earned her B.A. in English with a focus in Communication at University of Phoenix and her M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University.
What inspired you to work in STEM?
My path to STEM has been non-traditional. I never planned out a STEM career roadmap. Rather, my career evolved and grew into STEM. I find my career in STEM to be particularly rewarding because I get to learn about engineering and translate that information in a relatable way for a non-technical audience.
What excites you about your work at the Energy Department?
Everything! The opportunity to leave my small stamp on our nuclear weapon stockpile is humbling, rewarding, and deeply gratifying. I am extremely proud to support Sandia National Laboratories’ nuclear deterrence mission.
How can our country engage more women, girls, and other underrepresented groups in STEM?
I want to see more programs emerge that establish trusted partnerships between male mentors and womxn in STEM. Some of the best educators, mentors, colleagues, and managers I’ve had—who challenged me to aim higher and achieve more than I thought I could—were men. I believe engaging men as our advocates is powerful, effective, and necessary. To quote Emma Watson’s He For She speech (2014), “How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcomed to participate in the conversation?”
Do you have tips you'd recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?
Technical business development is a rather unique space. To be successful in a role like mine, you’ll need to be able to be flexible in a rapidly changing environment and have broad technical acumen plus soft skills such as public speaking and negotiation. My advice would be to find a business development mentor and identify opportunities to grow your soft skills as well as your knowledge of the technical portfolio/business space.
When you have free time, what are your hobbies?
In my spare time, I run a small additive manufacturing business, write soundtracks for video games, and do community outreach for the Albuquerque Game Developers Guild, a small game development nonprofit based in Albuquerque. I enjoy reading books, watching reruns of The Office, taking road trips with my husband, and playing with my dog.