Clearances and Crayons
Hey there! My name is Dr. Mariah Strange. I’m a later 20-something defense contractor, a military spouse, a mom—and somehow, I just earned my doctorate. Most days I’m toggling between secure systems and sippy cups, briefings, and bedtime stories. And while I’ve found my way into rooms that once felt off-limits, I still ask myself: Do I belong here? Can I show up fully as all of me—professional, parent, partner, and woman?
Well - I am posting all now, because why not? Everyone else around me has an unfiltered and uncensored life being posted. What I am hedging my bets on is that there are plenty of other young moms and military spouses out there who are figuring out who the heck they are. Sure I answer to names just as Mariah, or Mom or sometimes even hey you chick over there. But what does that look like?
Right now - while seeing all the fun things my friends are doing, I am also re-aligning and thinking about all the cool things I get to do. While I work currently for a small business in government defense contracting I have had the unique opportunity of bouncing around within the industry and working for anyone from the big name companies to the customer.
Now, reader beware - I do not know it all. I only know what I have been through (but do not tell my husband, because to him I do know it all). The aim is to document where I have been, and where I am going and sprinkle in some fun and interesting studies I read while completing my dissertation. Recently (aka earlier while laying in my hammock) I read a quote that said “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. - Suzy Kassem”. This quote has motivated me, as well as a fun secret project I have been working on, to seize my dreams and go after them. Ultimately I want to be a leader and mentor for the future women in defense who are yet to even enter our field while also still reaching out to those who are already in the field.
The journey in the defense industry started with me a 17-year-old sorority girl who had never worked a job that gave me a W-2. I started with one of “the big names” thinking I would become an engineer one day. My title was program management liaison and man did that suck. I pushed paperwork, got yelled at for others’ mistakes, and then still was expected to not only go through college but match pace with grown adults who acted more petty than my sorority sisters (did I mention that, shout out to my Alpha Xi’s). All, this taught me was that an industry that pushes women out or leaves them to administrative roles was an industry I was made to push boundaries.
Well one day - this peppy chick I was day dreaming that I was found a dude on a Rugby field and fell in love. At least thats the Cliffnotes of that because being a wife and marriage is a whole different blog post, especially when that young dude had a signed contract to become a military officer. Once we decided we were it for each other (aka an ultimate and an engagement ring) we hightailed it to California where we tried to make life happen. All that to be said I spent 6 years bouncing from job-to-job trying to figure out my space and identity as a military spouse.
Ultimately we winded up in montana and one blizzard in May had me on a job search that sent me right back into defense contracting. Just know in a world full of 8 billion it just take one contact and your right back to where you started with old coworkers and a pack of oddballs having the time of your life.
I hope you all enjoy reading and continue to keep up! I will be posting once a week whether it be about mom-life, non-profit building or for-profit strategy. Next week I plan to write a little more on where I am hoping to go and why I have decided now is the time to start this all!
Bribing toddler and briefing bosses - same skillset different snacks.
Dr. Strange