DISA’s Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day an Interactive Learning Experience
Zackary, the son of a program analyst in DISA's Network Services Directorate, proudly poses in front of the White House Communications Agency's exhibit at the agency's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event. The 5th-grader was presented a challenge coin by DISA Director Air Force Lt Gen Ronnie Hawkins for being the first person to ask a question during the general's presentation. |
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) opened its headquarters to more than 215 children in observance of National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 25. The event provided participating students the opportunity to learn more about the work that their parents, guardians, and mentors do in support of the nation's warfighters and to explore careers in information technology-related fields.
“This event aims to inspire students to achieve academic success and to help them connect the importance of school and education to their future in the workplace,” said Samuel Watkins, who manages the agency’s career development programs. “[Through this event], DISA will give students a glimpse of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations and other career fields that support the Department of Defense and our nation’s warfighters.”
DISA aimed to offer employees and children an experience that went beyond a basic career shadowing day by setting up exhibits that featured DISA mission areas and programs, hosting career and cybersecurity -themed workshops, and providing tours of the agency’s high tech command center and laboratory testing facilities.
DISA Director Air Force Lt Gen Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. addressed participants before commencing the interactive sessions.
“One of the things that you’re going to find out as you walk around headquarters today is that DISA does a lot of things,” he said. “Your moms and dads do a lot of things for the entire Department of Defense: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guardsmen, and a lot of other agencies.”
“We give the people of the United States an oath that we are going to protect the country …. 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” the general told the children. “[Your parents] could not come here each day without the support you give them at home, so I thank you for that.”