The world of government contracting is full of promising and fulfilling careers, but for outsiders, it can often be difficult to navigate. Are you curious what life is like at Praescient Analytics? Do you want to know what it takes to succeed in the defense and intelligence industry? Well, you’re in luck! We sat down with members of Team Praescient and asked questions covering a wide range of topics including their best tips for breaking into the government sector and their experience at Praescient Analytics. It is our hope that these interviews with team members at all levels will give you insight into our people, the industry dynamic, and what makes Praescient so unique.
“Why were you interested in Praescient?”
We wanted to begin by figuring out what stood out to our team members about Praescient and why they were interested in the company, and we started with past interns who have since assumed additional responsibilities. Denbigh began at Praescient during the Summer 2019 intern cycle and he valued how Praescient is the perfect introduction to the tech field. Over the course of one summer, he was able to learn many different skills and get exposure to a variety of softwares while gaining corporate experience. Ellie, a current Junior Analyst and past intern, was drawn in by Praescient’s diverse client base and the potential to work with a wide range of software tools to get ahead in the field. Another Summer 2019 intern Bryce has also recently joined the team as a full-time Analyst and he wanted to challenge himself to improve as a young professional. Bryce has always wanted to make a difference in the community and country, and the work Praescient does allows him to achieve his personal goals as well as strengthen national security.
In addition to our young professionals, we also posed the question to some of our senior-level team members. Mo, Praescient’s Senior Analyst Consultant, said he loves to instruct and share knowledge especially in a laid-back work environment like Praescient’s. Shayne, the head of Praescient’s Business Development team, told me how he loves the advantages that small businesses have, especially when they provide innovative tech solutions and work with industry leaders in the data science community.
“What past experiences prepared you to take on life at Praescient?”
We followed by asking what positions and experiences prepared our team members for the roles they took on at Praescient. There is a huge diversity of work experience among our employees which makes us equipped to support a number of very different clients across the federal and commercial space. For example, Mo gained his expertise by serving in the Army, specifically infantry and intelligence, and now trains analysts who directly support those in the field. Our Proposal Writer Tas became a skilled technical writer working for a Health Research Organization and has been able to impressively apply those skills to a completely different industry writing with Praescient. Praescient leadership recognizes the strengths of their employees, and identifies areas that can be improved, with the goal of overall individual improvement. Praescient values having a team of individuals with diverse backgrounds. Kevin, the Senior Controller at Praescient said “we hire the right people and teach them the right skills.” The most important thing that Praescient is looking for is “personal drive,” said Shayne.
“What is your best advice for someone wanting to get into government contracting?”
When asked about what advice they would give to those looking to get into the industry of government support, most agreed that it is crucial to be flexible with your first job or internship. Additionally, some recommended getting an internship that is somewhat related to the job you’re trying to achieve. Eran the Senior Human Resource at Praescient said “get your foot in the door, whether it’s networking or getting an internship be present and don’t wait too long otherwise it gets harder.” Bryce argued that it is crucial to have a good work ethic coming into the industry because it can be fast paced and people can expect a lot from you. Mo also realizes that it is important in any job to understand and adapt to human behavior because you will have to deal with many different clients and employees. It’s a big plus to be receptive to passive body language and signs, know how to react in different situations, and be aware of your surroundings. Lastly, Shayne recommends that everyone should start in Business Development. Learning things like the organization’s contracts, business processes, and how to negotiate enables new hires to understand what the company does as a whole and allows them to do their specific job more effectively.
“What is your favorite thing about Praescient Analytics?”
We ended off lightheartedly, asking our team why they loved Praescient Analytics. All Praescient employees agree that their colleagues are extremely talented while also being relaxed, fun to work with, and understanding. Ellie’s favorite part about Praescient is the “work hard, play hard” mentality. We know how to get the job done and how to have fun while doing it. Something that Kevin is very happy about is that Praescient is here to help the government rather than some companies that are “Beltway Bandits” looking to profit. Praescient’s primary goal is to help the men and women in uniform and to provide true value to our clients. Denbigh favorite Praescient practice is the open door policy. Anyone from Director to Intern is always welcome to speak with team members at all levels including our CEO. While Bryce grew up in the west coast and recently became acclimated to the DC culture, he made the interesting observation that “Praescient is a blend of west coast culture with east coast hustle,” which is perfect for him. Bryce also loves the fact his role is able to travel frequently and work with partners and clients that constantly expand his knowledge in the field.
While no two team members have the same backgrounds, interests, or advice, the Praescient team as a whole is filled with intelligent, strong, and sociable individuals willing to work together to achieve a common goal. Each person is different, however we all share a passion for putting out high quality deliverables while maintaining a laid back environment where people are comfortable and genuinely enjoy the day to day work. While government contractors often get grouped into a single category, each organization is drastically different and it is all about finding what works for you. Hopefully, we provided some useful insights and advice to help you navigate the complex world of DC contracting, and allowed you to get to know Team Praescient!
If Praescient Analytics seems like a good fit for you, we are always looking for talented, driven individuals to join our team. Visit https://praescientanalytics.com/careers/ to check out our open positions!