CRANE, Ind. – What started as an unpaid internship, has inspired a growing career supporting the warfighter. One Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) employee has expanded from his initial experiences to lead a team of technical subject matter experts.
Nicholas Schuetz, a Branch Manager at NSWC Crane, started working at Crane when he was in high school. He was unfamiliar with what it was like working at Crane, but sought someone to job shadow on base to apply for a high school internship. During the internship, he was uncertain about his future career path. His Crane sponsor, who became his mentor, noticed his skillset in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to college at the time,” says Schuetz. “I had always liked math, but I wasn’t sure how my passion for STEM could transition to my professional life. My mentor realized my potential and encouraged me to consider opportunities in engineering.”
Schuetz went on to graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Throughout his college career, he continued gaining diverse technical experience at his internship. He credits his mentor for inspiring him to pursue a STEM career at NSWC Crane.
“He showed me what Crane is and what we do for servicemen and women all over the world,” says Schuetz. “He showed me the team of talented people creating innovative solutions for the warfighter and the significant impact of this work.”
Schuetz is passionate about giving back to current engineers and nurturing STEM skills in area youth. He says mentorship opened the door to the opportunities available at Crane, and it’s important to spend time nurturing the next generation’s talent.
“Now in my role as a Branch Manager, my goal is to position the highly skilled workforce here for the challenges of tomorrow,” says Schuetz. “I am truly passionate about the technical development of the engineers I mentor. I hope to better position future generations of the workforce.”
Schuetz says contributing to the workforce, the community, and the country is important to him.
“What we do is imperative to national security. Knowing we provide critical capability to the men and women in uniform and their mission is rewarding. There are many ways to support the fleet through a career at Crane. Through mentorship, I was able to envision possibilities and achieve my goals. I learn something every day, and love helping nurture current and future talent.”
Schuetz enjoys spending time with his wife and child, being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and running.
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.