Faces of the Force

Leveraging Tough Advice For Career Success

By Susan L. Follett

Article published on: April 15, 2025, in the Spring 2025 Issue of Army AL-T

Read Time: < 5 mins

Early in her career, computer scientist Mary Falcigno received some tough advice: “ ‘No one is going to care as much about your career as you.’ That was difficult to hear, but it was the push I needed to figure out how to advocate for myself and my goals. I thought everyone would put the care and effort into me that I put into myself, but that was often proven incorrect, and I overlooked that.” Since then, she has made a point of finding developmental and rotational assignments and reaching out to other organizations to identify and pursue growth opportunities.

That mindset landed her in her current role with the Armaments Center within the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), part of the U.S. Army Futures Command. “I focus heavily on data analytics and artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). I love being able to come up with new and innovative ways to protect our Soldiers and help them complete their mission.”

She’s now working on counter-unmanned aerial systems, using modeling and simulation, data analytics and ML to determine how drones behave and how to prioritize key targets. Her previous projects include using computer vision, AI and ML for target recognition, using data analytics to identify degradation in ammunition stockpiles, and applying data analytics, AI and ML to information gathered through social media platforms to identify potential threats to Army installations.

Falcigno’s interest in federal service was sparked in part by her dad, who worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Through college, I became interested in research and in new, interesting applications of scientific principles.” She got her start with the Armament Software Engineering Center, helping Soldiers learn how to use Army Enterprise Systems Integration Program modules. “That project eventually evolved to more pre-Milestone A work, learning where problems are and how our technology can help.”

Now eight years into her career, she noted that the highlight so far has been “the opportunity to develop myself professionally and personally.” She is pursuing a technical master’s degree in data science with a computational focus and has had the chance to do an array of training, including several leadership development programs. “I am able to learn so much and then share it with those back in the office, which is very rewarding. Additionally, I volunteer through our STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] Outreach office, sharing the love of STEM work with local students.”

She has been involved in the STEM Outreach program, sponsored by DEVCOM Armaments Center’s Human Capital Office, for nearly six years. Falcigno helps with efforts that introduce high school girls to engineering and mentors female STEM students at Rutgers University. “At the high-school level, we show the students the interesting systems we work on and explain how their interest in coding or robotics can translate to college,” she explained. “For the college mentoring program, we talk about ways to find internships or jobs, as well as non-work things like how to practice for an interview or how to meet people outside of work—the details of what life is like after college. Our goal is to get everyone set up for success.”

“No one is going to care as much about your career as you.”

Her support of others isn’t limited to the STEM Outreach Program. “I love talking with newer personnel,” she noted. “Beyond navigating the sometimes-confusing systems, from timekeeping to travel, I love being able to answer their questions and share points that can help them thrive in our workplace. Sometimes, it’s not what they want to hear, but it’s important to hear the hard lessons before they sneak up.”

Earlier this year, Falcigno participated in the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP). The three-month program “provided not just career development but also a chance to grow personally to be a better leader at work,” she said. “It was challenging and unbelievably rewarding. I highly recommend it.”

She learned three things from the program. “First, vulnerability is not weakness and is incredibly important to being a leader. Second, your presence speaks louder than your voice; how you present yourself informs others of your character before they even meet you. Finally, there are so many factors, layers and traits to communication, and having difficult conversations should not be avoided.”

She also learned about active listening and asking powerful questions, “and that has helped me facilitate deeper conversations with coworkers, friends and family. The techniques for approaching difficult conversations have helped me not let problems stew and to speak with composure through challenging topics,” she added. “Many of the hands-on activities were highly challenging and provided a safe space for me to learn about myself and practice my developmental points before bringing them into my workplace.”

She’s grateful for the connections that the program provided. “The network I now have following this program has given me so many perspectives across DOD, many of whom I would have never considered on my own or with my existing network. I now know that I can reach out to any of my cohort-mates with questions or concerns or for advice and they will do all they can to help me. I would do the same for them.”

She’s quick to recommend the program to others. “The fact that such an intense and challenging course is open to a wide range of grades—GS-07 to GS-12 or equivalents—is an amazing opportunity. It will push you physically, mentally and emotion-ally, but it will also develop you personally and professionally. It sounds cliché, but the lessons, friends and memories are truly irreplaceable.”

At the completion of the program, Falcigno was one of two in her cohort to receive the Dr. Fiona Burdick Special Act Award. The peer-nominated award honors Dr. Fiona Burdick, whose 27-year federal service career included contributions that were instrumental to developing DCELP. It recognizes outstanding service, leadership and teamwork and honors program participants who make above-and-beyond contributions to their peers.

“I was surprised that I received the award,” Falcigno said. “One of the things that comes up when people discuss it is that it honors behind-the-scenes contributions, but I consider myself a front-of-the scenes kind of person. I had a leadership role and I’m more of a cheerleader and team motivator who’s not afraid of speaking up. But in reading the comments of the people who nominated me, I realized that I contributed a lot of small-group morale-building and provided one-on-one support that my team found helpful. Overall, I was proud and humbled that they selected me.”

When she’s not at work, Falcigno spends time painting, crocheting and cooking, as well as traveling. “I like to be active, and I love to participate in and organize activities,” she said. “My personality outside of work is very similar to how I am at work: I approach my work with gusto, tackling problems that do not have obvious solutions and working through complex projects enthusiastically.”

-Susan L. Follett