New at the Top
Sharon L. Hays
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Who's Blogging  |
Position: Vice president, Office of Science and Engineering, North American Public Sector, CSC.
Career highlights: Associate director and deputy director for science, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President; staff director, research subcommittee, House Science Committee; consultant, Science magazine.
Age: 43
Education: BA, molecular biology, University of California, Berkeley; PhD, biochemistry, Stanford University.
Personal: Resides in Falls Church with husband, Michael Baker.
How did you get to where you are?
I talk to young scientists a lot and I advise them to first go ahead and get that degree, pursue that training. Education in the technical field can prepare you for anything. I think I first learned how invaluable my doctorate was while working for Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.). He's the first and only PhD physicist in Congress, making him the go-to guy for science issues.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has a fellowship program that takes PhD scientists and places them on Capitol Hill. Essentially, it gives you a chance to work as a congressional staffer, adding insight to scientific legislation while learning about the workings and structure of policymaking. I realized about halfway through grad school that I didn't want to be a research scientist. For me, working on science policy was new and fresh and an exciting opportunity.
Soon after my one-year fellowship, I joined up with the basic research subcommittee and then the subcommittee on space and aeronautics as a staff member. Negotiation and effective compromise were key skills I learned on the Hill. Prioritizing your needs and understanding the other side's top priorities will help you find a solution.
It wasn't long before I was promoted to staff director of the House's research subcommittee. The most important experience I got was in creating, drafting and negotiating legislation from start to finish. We worked on the National Science Foundation Reauthorization Act, which passed in 2002, shortly after I'd left for the Office of Science and Technology Policy. It expanded the NSF's budget and allowed for education-related components that furthered math and science education.
CSC provides services and technical solutions. As vice president of science and engineering, I am focused on two things -- helping to organize science and engineering programs and activities in North America, and coordinating personnel and resources across the spectrum. I'd also like to look at new business opportunities in the field of engineering and science.
-- Charity Brown
Please send nominations for New at the Top to newatthetop@washpost.com.
