Melissa Moritz, Deputy Director of STEM at U.S. Department of Education, and Teach for America Alumna  

Ask anyone what constitutes “good times,” and the answers will be myriad: likely candidates might be the exultation of mastering a skill, or laugh-fests with friends – anything, in fact,  that confers a carefree sense of truly belonging in this world. For Melissa Moritz, the Deputy Director of STEM for the U.S. Department of Education, good times came early to her, via a math/science-supportive family that encouraged her already evident skill in that area, with memories of her chilhood “proving the quadratic formula on car trips,” and doing word problems at the dinner table.

The end result of this childhood hybrid of family fun and brainy games?  She graduated from the famed MIT, worked for Teach for America, and now helps the government to spread the word on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives.  As for her personal side, lest any reader think that good times are limited in her life to pursuits the rest of us might find taxing, she sings the praises of baking, a good Netflix binge-watch to unwind, and the power of a great pair of earrings to bestow confidence. Read on for more about this millennial with a mission – and both her very good career advice and her priceless take on love of cereal.

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
I live in Washington, DC, with my husband, and recently joined the U.S. Department of Education, where I serve as the Deputy Director for STEM.  I have the privilege of working alongside amazing colleagues to ensure that all children have access to STEM educational opportunities and experiences that provide them with critical thinking and problem solving skills.   

What does a day in your shoes typically look like?
No two days are the same, and that is one of the reasons I love my job.  Some days I might be out at events or schools or meeting with organizations who are doing great work in STEM; other days I might be drafting plans for our office, making policy recommendations, or reading or writing reports on STEM. The best way to describe my role is “all STEM all the time,” but there is no typical day.

What 2-3 things do you do to prepare yourself before work and is there anything you try to accomplish everyday?
I am a morning person and like to get up early and have a few quiet moments to myself before the day gets going.  I try to go to the gym or yoga studio in the morning, and then get ready for the day while reading the news on my phone and eating my breakfast.  I try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day (except on the weekends, when I like to sleep in!). 

What is your breakfast of choice?
I am a creature of habit and eat the same thing every morning: oatmeal with a spoonful of almond butter.  When I am feeling like changing it up a little, I have toast and fried eggs.  I love cereal, but can’t keep it in the house because I will eat the entire box in one sitting!

What are your rituals or tips for staying energized and motivated?
I love being outside. Whenever possible I try to walk or bike to work and enjoy the scenery.  I am always surprised by how a little bit of sunlight and fresh air can make a huge impact on your mood and energy level.

What is your favorite part about your job?
I feel tremendously lucky to be doing the work I am doing.  I want to live in a world where all children have access to the opportunities that they deserve.  I believe that having access to excellent STEM teachers and STEM experiences both in and out of school are crucial for children in today’s world.  We need our kids to have the problem solving and critical thinking skills to solve the challenge we face as a society. Our kids will be the ones to tackle these challenges, and we owe them the preparation they will need to do this.

What and who inspires you at work?
I have a lot of people and ideas that inspire me at work.  I am a constant learner and also really enjoy getting to know people.  Most of all, because of the work I do, I get to hear amazing stories of students and educators who are making an incredible impact in their local communities.  These are the moments and stories that inspire me the most.  Our kids are amazing people and our educators are some of the hardest working individuals I have ever met.  I am lucky that I have the privilege of hearing so many great stories in my daily work. 

Do you have a ‘Power Outfit’ that you wear for a big meeting or important work event?
Not really.  I have a few pairs of earrings that I purchased on vacation and try to wear those when I am nervous about something.  They remind me of really happy moments in my life and provide me with a little sense of calm and zen when I need it.

What is your favorite leisure activity after a stressful work week?
I like to read food blogs, bake, or binge-watch TV on Netflix. 

How does your culture/background influence your work?
Because I am working in the field of education and have been an educator, a teacher recruiter, a daughter of a teacher and a STEM student myself, I have a lot of experiences to draw on.  I often think about whether policies or practices would have been helpful to me and my STEM educator peers as well as my students.  That said, I think it can be easy to let our own experiences drive our thinking too much, and I try to be careful to make sure I have the opportunity to work with people who bring lots of different perspectives and experiences to the work, so that I can check my own biases and assumptions.  

How many times have you changed your career direction?
None! I have always been in STEM field.

What has been your biggest obstacle in your career and how did you overcome it?
One of my ongoing challenges and biggest obstacles to date are the little voices of self-doubt when tackling a new experience or opportunity.  No matter how prepared I feel for an opportunity, there is always still a part of me that thinks “What if I am really bad at this?” or “Why did they pick me?”  But, failure is a really important part of learning; we need to talk about it more.

What are your most steadfast ‘don’ts’ rules regarding work and the workplace, and what are your most cherished ‘do’s’? 
This is a tough one since I am so new to my role, but I think in terms of “don’ts,” I think the biggest ones would be:

• • • Don’t overpromise; it is better to be honest about realistic timelines, obstacles and anything else that comes up, as opposed to promising something and not being able to deliver.
    • Don’t hide from challenges.

In terms of “do’s,” building strong relationships is the key to so many things.  Take the time to get to know people, what brings them to their work, and what they care about. Connect with people; it will add so much to your work, your life and your perspective.

What are the most important qualities of a good leader?
Good leaders are humble, see the best in everyone and every situation, lead by example, listen and set clear direction.

What are the unforgettable traits of role models who have inspired you most?
Humility and empathy.  Having the ability and desire to understand the perspectives of others are some of the most important and challenging skills to develop.  The people who I admire most are really great listeners who take the time to understand where you and others are coming from, and also deeply believe that everyone has something to teach them. 

How have mentors impacted your personal and professional development?
Mentors and role models have been crucial to my success.  From a very early age I was presented with many role models who showed me the power and beauty of mathematics.  “I’m not good at math” was not something I ever heard in my house, nor was it tolerated if I tried to say it.  I was very fortunate, and had many educators who encouraged my love of math and science, and pushed me to take harder courses than I otherwise might have. 

What are three questions you like to ask during an interview to know if the candidate (or job) is the right fit?
Interviews are nerve-wracking, and as much as possible, I try to think about interviews as “getting to know the workplace” and people with whom you will be working – so most of the questions I ask tend to be around workplace culture.     

What advice would you give to women starting their careers?
Learn as much as you can.  Every job, every opportunity provides an opportunity to learn new content and develop new skills.  Even if you don’t love every aspect of what you are doing or even if that learning feels hard or frustrating, there is always something to learn.

What book would you recommend for women just starting their careers?
Read things that inspire and excite you, but don’t forget to look for your own voice and perspective.

What is your favorite quote you try and live by?
There are some great quotes out there, here are a couple that speak to me:

• • • “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” –  Martin Luther King Jr
    • “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy
    • “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  – Nelson Mandela