Name: Chyrette Copeland
Formal Job Classification: Contract specialist
Organization: Procurement Office (Code 210Y)
What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard? How do you help support Goddard’s mission?
As a contract specialist, I procure contracts for the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate. I find domestic and foreign contracts very interesting because different rules and policies apply to each.
What drew you to Goddard and procurement?
I was a Pathways student at the United States Geological Survey. The Pathways internship program allowed us to go to other agencies, so I transferred to Goddard procurement because I think science and NASA are very cool and contracts are very interesting. I am now a permanent employee of Goddard.
Procurement is the piece that pulls everything together including the science, the engineering, and the finances. Procurement makes the science and engineering possible. I feel like procurement contributes to further understanding science. I feel like procurement makes a difference.
How does being a former contract employee influence you as a contract specialist?
Before I entered Pathways, I was a contract employee, which got me interested in contracts. It helps me look at the reasons behind decisions and understand the importance of these decisions such as salary rates and how a contract is awarded overall. Now that I am awarding and administering contracts, I enjoy learning about all aspects of contracts in detail.
I am a detail person. I enjoy learning the technical requirements. I like interacting directly with the scientists and learning how to translate scientific terminology into contract requirements.
What is your educational background?
I grew up in both North Carolina and Massachusetts. I attended Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, for a bachelor’s in communication. I virtually attended Northeastern University in Boston for a master’s in corporate and organizational communication with an emphasis on leadership. We studied organizations to identify motivating factors, negotiating tactics and ethical business practices. We examined organizational cultures to learn how they operated to maximize efficiency.
You came to Goddard in 2016. What is most interesting about Goddard?
There is always some new scientific discovery, which I love to read about.
Also, the people are very down to earth. You never know if you are talking to an astronaut, an engineer who invented something or a scientist who collected intriguing data. I enjoy the scientific atmosphere.
As a student of organizational culture, how would you describe Goddard’s culture?
Goddard’s culture is continuously growing. It is a very friendly and open environment. We are very good about sharing information across the organization.
What was your involvement with Procurement’s Climate Advisory Team (CAT)?
From 2019 to 2020, I served a rotation with CAT, a group that fosters engagement in our community that listens to everyone and helps keep us all motivated. CAT tries to improve the overall culture of procurement. Through CAT, I learned that procurement cares about the policies and how people both inside and outside of our organization perceive our information.
Who is the most interesting, inspiring or amazing person you have met or worked with at Goddard?
All of my contracting officer representatives are very inspiring. Many are scientists some of whom have worked in the field. I love hearing their stories. I enjoy learning why they need a contract, what they are trying to buy or build and the purpose of the science they are doing. I love their passion for the science and I appreciate their work to fulfill the mission for scientists of tomorrow.
What is your five-year career plan?
I would consider becoming a contract officer or working in procurement policy.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy bowling and used to bowl in college for a league. I like to paint in acrylic, from cartoons to portraits. I enjoy hiking with my dog, a mix of German shepherd and Labrador. I like kayaking. I also like spending time with my friends.
By Elizabeth M. Jarrell
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Conversations With Goddard is a collection of question and answer profiles highlighting the breadth and depth of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s talented and diverse workforce. The Conversations have been published twice a month on average since May 2011. Read past editions on Goddard’s “Our People” webpage.