EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fl,. -- After years of hard study, people reach their goal and earn a college degree. Many people consider this as one of the sweetest moments in life, a culmination of hard work and commitment that for many people began in their teens. But now comes the big question:
What do you do after college?
For many of the engineers at the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, they didn’t just land a regular job, instead they found a place where they could make the difference every day.
“Coming from the standpoint of a young engineer straight out of college, I feel like working at 350th SWW is a really a great launchpad to start your career,” said Bethany Kelly, 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron electronics engineer. “When you enter into the job, you're automatically part of a mission, and it’s satisfying because you are part of something bigger than yourself, you are part of a team that's making this mission happen.”
At the 350th SWW, members are given the opportunity to deliver adaptive and cutting-edge electromagnetic spectrum capabilities that provide the warfighter a tactical and strategic competitive advantage and freedom to attack, maneuver, and defend.
The wing affords engineers the opportunities to work on various missions explained Kelly. Originally Kelly was hired as an electronics/mission data engineer, but she has been given the opportunity to train as a test engineer, which is a career field she wanted to explore, she explained.
“Just being able to actually see your work makes a difference,” said Kelly. “This isn't like going to work every day and sitting at a desk for eight hours, here you are always doing something different. You are doing things that help the warfighter and really making a difference for somebody who's out in the field.”
What drives the members and mission at the 350th SWW is the wing’s “Crow Culture.” The wing encourages calculated risk taking, wingmanship, professional development and gives members opportunities to contribute to capabilities that support warfighters.
“I have asked for more opportunities and every time I've asked for the chance to explore different segments of our wing, I have been encouraged by leadership and given that opportunity,” said Chad Zessin, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron mission data engineer.
Michael Rafftery, 16th EWS chief engineer, explained how much people enjoy being part of the wing and how strong the culture is.
“We have people who have worked in this wing well past retirement age and yet they continue to work in the wing because they love the job they do,” said Rafftery.
As the newest wing of the U.S. Air Force that is focused on the future of warfare, the prospect of working on advanced technology is high.
“You have the opportunity to be on the leading edge of technology, and as an engineer I think that always peaks people's interest in having that ability to work on the latest and greatest thing,” said Rafferty.
Currently the wing will have about 200 engineer vaccines which will all be posted on https://www.usajobs.gov, https://www.350sww.af.mil/Careers/, and https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/, explained Misty Hutchison, 350th SWW Civilian Personnel.
“I take pride in knowing that the work I am doing with the 350th SWW will go towards protecting those who risk their lives for our nation and our nation’s allies,” said Joseph Knebl, 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron electronic engineer. “I wanted to be an engineer because I hoped to better the lives of people, regardless of the field, and I know I am carrying out that goal as an engineer with [the 350th SWW].
For more information on career opportunities at the 350th SWW, please check out https://www.usajobs.gov, https://www.350sww.af.mil/Careers/, and https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/.