Mike Collins Director of Program Management for Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Mike CollinsMike Collins

Director of Program Management Director of Program Management for Lockheed Martin Corporationfor Lockheed Martin Corporation

DegreesDegrees

Undergraduate work done at the United Undergraduate work done at the United States Military Academy at West Point, States Military Academy at West Point, New York.New York.

In those days the only choice was to In those days the only choice was to graduate with an engineering degree. graduate with an engineering degree.

Masters degree in engineering from Masters degree in engineering from George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University

Military Academy at West Point NY

GW University

PreparationPreparation The military academy was not a normal The military academy was not a normal

university as your four years were totally university as your four years were totally controlled.controlled.

There really weren’t any internship opportunities.There really weren’t any internship opportunities. After graduation, you had to serve in the military.After graduation, you had to serve in the military. Everything was laid out so Mr. Collins didn’t Everything was laid out so Mr. Collins didn’t

have to worry about any “extra” work. have to worry about any “extra” work. Although internships and hands on experiences Although internships and hands on experiences

were rare back then, he said that now, it is really were rare back then, he said that now, it is really important to have real life experiences along important to have real life experiences along with performing well in the coursework.with performing well in the coursework.

Military ServiceMilitary Service Served in Berlin during Served in Berlin during

the Cold Warthe Cold War Had tours of duty as an Had tours of duty as an

infantry and infantry and transportation officer.transportation officer.

His goal was to get into His goal was to get into army aviation.army aviation.

While an army officer he While an army officer he attended school where he attended school where he obtained his masters at obtained his masters at GWUGWU

To do so, he had to To do so, he had to sacrifice his free time to sacrifice his free time to attend school at nightattend school at night

Life in the AcademyLife in the Academy The program has changed at the Academy as now you The program has changed at the Academy as now you

can choose your major.can choose your major. Mr. Collins had a total of four electives in four years so Mr. Collins had a total of four electives in four years so

there was not much leeway in the ways of freedom. there was not much leeway in the ways of freedom. Within these degrees of Freedom, he focused on Within these degrees of Freedom, he focused on

Operations Research (similar to systems engineering).Operations Research (similar to systems engineering). The school had the classic engineering courses like The school had the classic engineering courses like

electrical, chemical, and thermal. They were also very electrical, chemical, and thermal. They were also very heavy in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. heavy in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

The academy was preparing students for leadership The academy was preparing students for leadership roles so they wanted their engineering students to have roles so they wanted their engineering students to have a broad scope of understanding which is why they had a broad scope of understanding which is why they had such strict course outlines.such strict course outlines.

Growing UpGrowing Up

When he was growing up, America was in a When he was growing up, America was in a turbulent time with the Vietnam War and Cultural turbulent time with the Vietnam War and Cultural Revolution.Revolution.

The space program caught his attention as it The space program caught his attention as it was uplifting to the nation.was uplifting to the nation.

He remembers sitting in his home in Ohio He remembers sitting in his home in Ohio watching the US land on the moon.watching the US land on the moon.

This inspired him to pursue a technical career as This inspired him to pursue a technical career as he wanted to be an astronaut and in order to do he wanted to be an astronaut and in order to do so he needed technical grounding.so he needed technical grounding.

The Astronaut ProgramThe Astronaut Program

He tried very hard to get into the astronaut He tried very hard to get into the astronaut program.program.

Interestingly enough, it turns out that his Interestingly enough, it turns out that his roommate at the military academy was the roommate at the military academy was the Army’s #1 selection for the astronaut program.Army’s #1 selection for the astronaut program.

He wanted to be a pilot in this program but was He wanted to be a pilot in this program but was rejected as his eyes were too poor.rejected as his eyes were too poor.

Despite this failure, he has been involved in Despite this failure, he has been involved in material that has been as fulfilling and rewarding material that has been as fulfilling and rewarding as being an astronaut.as being an astronaut.

How the Academy Directly How the Academy Directly Prepared Mike For His JobPrepared Mike For His Job

At the Academy, he learned the mechanics associated with various At the Academy, he learned the mechanics associated with various engineering domains.engineering domains.

The Academy immersed its students in leadership opportunities.The Academy immersed its students in leadership opportunities. They wanted their graduates to lead organizations.They wanted their graduates to lead organizations. He says that, “in the end, no matter what tools you are using, work He says that, “in the end, no matter what tools you are using, work

is about problem solving.”is about problem solving.” His role right now is to ensure that the systems are in place and His role right now is to ensure that the systems are in place and

allow individual programs to function well.allow individual programs to function well. He will go to a program to monitor the progress and even assist if He will go to a program to monitor the progress and even assist if

needed in the elements associated with cost, schedule, and needed in the elements associated with cost, schedule, and technical content.technical content.

It has been a long time since he has actually coded software.It has been a long time since he has actually coded software. However, he has done those things in the past and this experience However, he has done those things in the past and this experience

allows him to contribute to technical solutions at a higher level.allows him to contribute to technical solutions at a higher level.

Life After CollegeLife After College Spent 7 years in the military after college and Spent 7 years in the military after college and

spent this time in various leadership roles and in spent this time in various leadership roles and in furthering his educationfurthering his education

After his service, he went to work in General After his service, he went to work in General Electric Aerospace.Electric Aerospace.

A lot of what he worked on is classified so he A lot of what he worked on is classified so he couldn’t tell me exactly what he was doing.couldn’t tell me exactly what he was doing.

He was essentially a “test engineer”He was essentially a “test engineer” He wasn’t actually designing the systems. He wasn’t actually designing the systems.

Instead, he was taking elements of the design Instead, he was taking elements of the design and testing them in real world situations to make and testing them in real world situations to make sure that the design was actually going to work.sure that the design was actually going to work.

So he needed to know parts of how it was So he needed to know parts of how it was designed, where the requirements came from, designed, where the requirements came from, and whether the requirements were done in such and whether the requirements were done in such a way that it would achieve its objective.a way that it would achieve its objective.

He tested systems of national technical means (or He tested systems of national technical means (or large and important systems) associated with large and important systems) associated with aerospace engineering. aerospace engineering.

There were thousands of people working on these There were thousands of people working on these systems.systems.

He would look at the software, hardware, He would look at the software, hardware, requirements, and the operational scenarios to requirements, and the operational scenarios to make sure that what was being developed would make sure that what was being developed would workwork

He spent a number of years as a test engineer.He spent a number of years as a test engineer.

He then became a program manager for a program that He then became a program manager for a program that was in development so he dealt with everything in regards was in development so he dealt with everything in regards with that program (also classified).with that program (also classified).

He then ran an engineering department that did all the He then ran an engineering department that did all the command and control simulations work for a business.command and control simulations work for a business.

He was an engineering manager and had around 300 He was an engineering manager and had around 300

engineers working in his organization.engineers working in his organization. They were all working on various programs and he They were all working on various programs and he

ensured there was a robust capability. ensured there was a robust capability. The next job he had was as a director level for information The next job he had was as a director level for information

technology for Lockheed Martin Corporation. technology for Lockheed Martin Corporation. Finally, and also currently, he went back into program Finally, and also currently, he went back into program

management for Lockheed.management for Lockheed.

Continued…Continued…

Interesting FactInteresting Fact

Lockheed Martin is a corporation that has been Lockheed Martin is a corporation that has been put together in the last 13 years (since the end put together in the last 13 years (since the end of the Cold War).of the Cold War).

There were 22 Heritage companies that were There were 22 Heritage companies that were separate before and formed what is now separate before and formed what is now Lockheed Martin.Lockheed Martin.

Throughout his career, Mr. Collins essentially Throughout his career, Mr. Collins essentially worked for LM because the smaller companies worked for LM because the smaller companies like General Electric and Ford Aerospace all like General Electric and Ford Aerospace all became part of LM when the cold war ended.became part of LM when the cold war ended.

Day at WorkDay at Work ““There hasn’t been a normal day in twenty-three years…[and] it There hasn’t been a normal day in twenty-three years…[and] it

[engineering] has been totally fun.” [engineering] has been totally fun.” Everyday for him is an adventure and every day is about problem Everyday for him is an adventure and every day is about problem

solving.solving. The only commonality is that the day begins and ends.The only commonality is that the day begins and ends. He always has a plan when he comes in but it is a rare day when he He always has a plan when he comes in but it is a rare day when he

actually executes the plan.actually executes the plan. I was an example of this because the day before I was not scheduled as I was an example of this because the day before I was not scheduled as

one of Mr. Collins activities. I just dropped in!one of Mr. Collins activities. I just dropped in! He says that the discipline that comes from solving problems, putting He says that the discipline that comes from solving problems, putting

bounds on things, and understanding your environment, allows you to bounds on things, and understanding your environment, allows you to take anything that comes during the day and be able to deal with it. take anything that comes during the day and be able to deal with it.

A normal day for an engineer is they will come in and have to A normal day for an engineer is they will come in and have to accomplish a specific task during the day. It includes both individual and accomplish a specific task during the day. It includes both individual and group work where you are putting together the pieces of some system.group work where you are putting together the pieces of some system.

You will always have unexpected things pop up that you have to deal You will always have unexpected things pop up that you have to deal with.with.

Life Outside of WorkLife Outside of Work In the engineering field, you could spend all, In the engineering field, you could spend all,

day, every day at workday, every day at work However, it is important to have a life outside of However, it is important to have a life outside of

workwork Mr. Collins is very interested in philosophy, Mr. Collins is very interested in philosophy,

quantum mechanics, sports, and spends a lot of quantum mechanics, sports, and spends a lot of time staying fit mentally, spiritually, and time staying fit mentally, spiritually, and physically. physically.

The most important thing for him outside of work The most important thing for him outside of work is his family. is his family.

He has some young kids that are his first priority He has some young kids that are his first priority every spare minute he has whether it be going every spare minute he has whether it be going to a soccer game, a play, or just practicing with to a soccer game, a play, or just practicing with them.them.

Everything he does outside of work is Everything he does outside of work is “essentially some form of giving back what “essentially some form of giving back what [he’s] been blessed with one way or the other.” [he’s] been blessed with one way or the other.”

This can be to the community, the family, and This can be to the community, the family, and when he has spare time he likes to bone up on when he has spare time he likes to bone up on mechanics.mechanics.

““You never stop learning You never stop learning and the adventure never and the adventure never

ends” ends” (Mike Collins).(Mike Collins).

The EndThe End

Courtesy of Mike CollinsCourtesy of Mike Collins

My Career GuideMy Career Guide

An Engineer?An Engineer? Although going into engineering is still a possibility, I am Although going into engineering is still a possibility, I am

still undecided on my major.still undecided on my major. I have other interests. One of which is Business and I am I have other interests. One of which is Business and I am

taking the Intro to Business Course next semester. I will taking the Intro to Business Course next semester. I will have to wait to base my decision until after that class.have to wait to base my decision until after that class.

I am good at math and science so Engineering could be I am good at math and science so Engineering could be a career path. I also like to build things and work with a career path. I also like to build things and work with computers. computers.

Mr. Collins dealt with systems in the aerospace field and Mr. Collins dealt with systems in the aerospace field and it sounds interesting.it sounds interesting.

My dad also works for Lockheed Martin and I have My dad also works for Lockheed Martin and I have always been fascinated with jet fighters, rockets, space always been fascinated with jet fighters, rockets, space shuttles, satellites, military equipment, etc.shuttles, satellites, military equipment, etc.

So…So…

For the purpose of the project I will choose to be For the purpose of the project I will choose to be an aerospace engineer.an aerospace engineer.

As far as companies go, I would be interested in As far as companies go, I would be interested in working for Boeing or Lockheed Martin.working for Boeing or Lockheed Martin.

Preferably Lockheed Martin as it is the largest Preferably Lockheed Martin as it is the largest aerospace and defense company (140,000 aerospace and defense company (140,000 employees) and to be frank, performs better. employees) and to be frank, performs better.

It would be awesome to work in designing, It would be awesome to work in designing, building, and testing stealth fighters, shuttles, building, and testing stealth fighters, shuttles, and other aerospace equipment.and other aerospace equipment.

F-22 RaptorMars Lander (Phoenix)

Hubble Space Telescope

F-35 Stealth Fighter

I have always wanted to go to BYU not only because it is an excellent academic school, but for the positive and enriching environment.

BYU has a top engineering program and is a targeted recruiting school for aerospace and defense companies such as Lockheed Martin.

They have won a number of engineering competitions and one of their winning designs is a car built from parts that gets 50 mpg and goes from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds.

As far as two other colleges, I would select Stanford and Maryland as Stanford has the #2 engineering program in the country and Maryland the 18th and is relatively close to home.

Colleges

StepsSteps After graduation, I need to perform well in the coursework at After graduation, I need to perform well in the coursework at

college.college. This will require dedication, work ethic, time, energy, and This will require dedication, work ethic, time, energy, and

perseverance as engineering is a difficult degree to major in.perseverance as engineering is a difficult degree to major in. Mr. Collins recommended that I get the hard courses done Mr. Collins recommended that I get the hard courses done

first when I have the time so that could be a path to take.first when I have the time so that could be a path to take. In today’s society, doing well in class is not enough and to In today’s society, doing well in class is not enough and to

prepare me for the real world I would need to enroll in an prepare me for the real world I would need to enroll in an internship program to get me hands on experience in a work internship program to get me hands on experience in a work place environment.place environment.

I would get a BSAE and because I also want to get into I would get a BSAE and because I also want to get into program/systems management, continue my education to program/systems management, continue my education to receive a masters in business.receive a masters in business.

Projected Work DayProjected Work Day A life outside of work is very important to me so I don’t A life outside of work is very important to me so I don’t

want to be working more than 10 hours a day. The best want to be working more than 10 hours a day. The best time would be from around 8:00-6:00 so I could get time would be from around 8:00-6:00 so I could get home for dinner with my family.home for dinner with my family.

I would come to work with a plan and strive to get it doneI would come to work with a plan and strive to get it done Most likely, I would be working on a system (whether it Most likely, I would be working on a system (whether it

be designing, constructing, repairing, or testing) be designing, constructing, repairing, or testing) individually as well as with a group.individually as well as with a group.

As a manager, I would make sure the organization was As a manager, I would make sure the organization was running smoothly, assist engineers on the design floor, running smoothly, assist engineers on the design floor, and deal with problems regarding cost, production, and deal with problems regarding cost, production, consumers, and efficiency. consumers, and efficiency.

Ahhhhh….LeisureAhhhhh….Leisure

Well the pictures Well the pictures about sum it up.about sum it up.

I like to sleep.I like to sleep. And go to the beach.And go to the beach. I would also spend I would also spend

time with my family.time with my family. As well as visit As well as visit

extended family.extended family.

End of Tyler’s Career GuideEnd of Tyler’s Career Guide