Bridging the Gap

A Game-Changing Transition

woman in uniform and man in bow tie in front of building

By Jillian Wright

It was 4:30 a.m. and Demetress Wright was a ball of nerves and excitement. She started her morning routine as usual, walking on the treadmill. She hoped the exercise would diminish some of the nerves. It didn’t.

Post workout, Demetress gazed at her closet. After 23 years of wearing a uniform to work, picking out her own outfit was what she most looked forward to about her major career shift. Wondering what clothes would help present the best version of herself, she ultimately chose a pantsuit paired with a heavy wool coat and scarf. It was a frigid Monday morning in February, after all.

Driving to Northrop Grumman’s campus in Roy, Utah, Demetress peered up at all the buildings. They looked beautiful — vast, brightly lit, surrounded by snow-capped mountains — yet overwhelming, almost like mountains themselves, a range of unknown. Stepping out of her parked car, she took a deep breath and entered her facility. As her hiring manager David Huinker welcomed her with a warm smile, she felt some of those nerves subside.

While her U.S. Air Force career was coming to a close, today was the first page in her next chapter. And David would soon become a main character in her story.

The skills and knowledge I gained during my internship have laid a solid foundation for my career, and I look forward to applying what I've learned in future roles.

Demetress Wright

SkillBridge Program Participant and Northrop Grumman Capital Project Manager

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woman and man playing posing for a picture

A Game-Changing Transition

As a project management intern, Demetress joined Northrop Grumman two years ago via the SkillBridge program. Through this U.S. Department of Defense program, active-duty service members gain invaluable career experience and training through an internship during their last six months of service. Since 2020, Northrop Grumman has hosted more than 650 transitioning military members and maintains a 95 percent full-time employment rate.

“This program has been one of the most enriching experiences of my career,” said Demetress. “I gained hands-on experience in project management methodologies, risk assessment and team collaboration. What truly set my experience apart was David’s game-changing leadership, guidance and kindness.”

With more than two decades of military experience, predominately in healthcare management, Demetress initially wondered how she would adjust to civilian work. The uncertainty concerned her. But David was there every step of the way to reassure her, explaining the chain of leadership, roles and responsibilities, being her go-to for help and connecting her with fellow SkillBridge participants.

“It felt as though I had transitioned into a military position and David was my sponsor.” said Demetress. “Throughout my internship, he took the time to share his insights and expertise, fostering an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and seeking advice.”

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Empathy and Trust, Intertwined

Five years ago, when Northrop Grumman first partnered with the SkillBridge program, David immediately knew he wanted to join. In Roy, he saw an opportunity to help fellow veterans.

“The value I provide is being on the inside — as a veteran, I understand what they’re going through,” said David. “Trust is key when building a relationship with SkillBridge participants. I stay in contact with them as they’re getting out of the military, support them while they consider making cross-country moves, share educational resources and build their faith, confidence and skills.”

Prior to joining the company in 2018, David served in the Air Force as an enlisted member for about two years, then as an officer in various positions for more than 17 years. His specialization in IT project program management in the military helped him transition to Northrop Grumman as an IT project manager.

“A lot of veterans struggle in transition, particularly around structure. Even deciding how to dress in industry can be a challenge,” said David.

When some SkillBridge hires told him they weren’t sure what to wear to work, David came up with a light-hearted dress code: Professional Mondays, Bowtie Tuesdays, Pink Shirt Wednesdays, Aloha Shirt Thursdays and Red Shirt Fridays.

“In the military, everyone has one mission: to defend our nation and allies. We experience struggles together — you become part of a brotherhood and sisterhood. Leaving that community can feel isolating,” said David. “Establishing something as simple as a uniform of the day helps them build bonds and feel connected to something, like they had felt in the military.”

Over the years, David has recruited 38 SkillBridge candidates to the company, 36 of whom accepted a full-time offer, including Demetress, now a capital project manager.

“The skills and knowledge I gained during my internship have laid a solid foundation for my career, and I look forward to applying what I've learned in future roles,” said Demetress. “David’s commitment to my success was evident and made a profound impact on my career growth.

Visit our SkillBridge page to learn more and share with qualifying service members seeking civilian careers.

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Summary:

Northrop Grumman supports military-to-civilian career transitions through the SkillBridge program, offering hands-on internships and mentorship to veterans, resulting in high employment rates and successful integration into corporate roles.

Key Takeaways:

Northrop Grumman’s SkillBridge internships and veteran mentorship yield a 95% full-time employment rate for transitioning service members.
Dedicated veteran mentors foster trust and support, easing transition challenges for SkillBridge participants.

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