Workforce Mobility Employee Spotlight: Alex Schmid
When Alex Schmid joined Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), she expected to build technical modeling skills. What she found instead was an opportunity to shape her role much earlier than anticipated. Within her first year, Alex moved from learning new tools to contributing to mission-focused analysis and supporting efforts tied to Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3).
For Alex, an operations research analyst in SPA’s ORCA Group within the Sea, Land, and Air Division (SLAD), that early experience became the foundation for broader growth. Her role did not follow a fixed path. It expanded as her skills developed and as new opportunities emerged across projects and teams.
“SPA has given me the flexibility to build a strong foundation and grow in areas that interest me.”
Operations Research Analyst Alex Schmid
Hear directly from Alex about how she joined SPA, expanded her technical skills, and discovered new opportunities across projects and responsibilities.
Building a Technical Foundation
Alex joined SPA after graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in systems engineering. She began building technical expertise using the ArcherEye modeling and simulation tool. “Since joining SPA, I’ve grown my technical skills by learning the ArcherEye tool, creating network diagrams, and simulating them within a mission context”
Operations Research Analyst Alex Schmid
She quickly transitioned from learning the toolset to contributing to mission analysis. One of the most notable efforts she has supported involves Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) and the Next-Generation Trade Space Study (NTSS), where modeling and analysis inform critical mission decisions.
Expanding into New Opportunities
As Alex’s technical foundation grew, new opportunities followed. Through her work on the project, SPA Fellow Tom Troyano connected with Alex to discuss her career interests and future goals. That conversation became a turning point, opening the door to a broader role in NC3 business development efforts.
Alex is also a member of SPA’s Nuclear Analyst Community of Interest, which brings together analysts across the company to share expertise and strengthen nuclear mission capabilities. Read more about how SPA is fostering the next generation of nuclear analysts.
“I began working more on the business development side of NC3,” Alex explained. “I helped facilitate biweekly meetings to discuss potential clients, engagement strategies, and which demonstrations we wanted to develop.”
She also helped coordinate demonstrations that showcase SPA’s analytical capabilities to potential customers, expanding her role into more client-facing work.
Developing Skills Through Mobility
Working across multiple projects changed how Alex approached both technical work and communication. “So far at SPA, I’ve been able to work on a variety of different projects and technical areas,” she said. “That experience has helped me grow my confidence and communication skills.”
By engaging directly with clients and supporting presentations, Alex gained experience beyond traditional technical analysis and strengthened her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. “SPA has given me a lot of flexibility in my career to build a strong foundation and grow in areas that interest me,” she said.
Developing Skills Through Mobility
Working across multiple projects changed how Alex approached both technical work and communication. “So far at SPA, I’ve been able to work on a variety of different projects and technical areas,” she said. “That experience has helped me grow my confidence and communication skills.”
By engaging directly with clients and supporting presentations, Alex gained experience beyond traditional technical analysis and strengthened her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. “SPA has given me a lot of flexibility in my career to build a strong foundation and grow in areas that interest me,” she said.
Advice for Early-Career Professionals
For professionals early in their careers, Alex says SPA’s culture of mobility and collaboration creates an environment where employees can continue developing their skills over time.
“SPA promotes growth and flexibility,” she said. “I’ve worked on a variety of projects with many different people, and each experience helped me grow technically and professionally. I don’t feel locked into one specific project or role. My role has continued to evolve, and I’ve been able to take on new responsibilities and interesting challenges.”
Alex’s experience highlights a broader truth about careers at SPA. Growth does not require leaving your role or your team. It happens through new challenges, expanded responsibilities, and continued learning over time.
Explore current career opportunities and learn how you can build your path at SPA.
Watch the video interview here, or listen to the audio-only version.
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