Colette Flood

Colette Flood is the Manager of the Workforce Development & Education Department and serves as the Lab Education Director (LED) for the Department of Energy Office of Science, Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists programs. Drawn early in life towards a career in public service, Colette holds a B.S. and Masters in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Southern California (USC). Her charitable work at USC was recognized with the school’s prestigious Saturn Award and she received one of the highest honors for seniors, the Order of the Laurel and Palm Award. Throughout her eleven year tenure, Colette has demonstrated a personal commitment to increasing diversity in STEM and has developed several STEM education internship programs to prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists and STEM professionals at Berkeley Lab.

What inspires you to work in STEM or operations?

The lack of diversity. I have the opportunity to provide access to resources, research experiences, mentorship, and career pathways to create a diverse workforce that will change the world. Our department is a conduit for making dreams come true--it's very rewarding to steward that vision and collaborate with a diverse group of partners in doing so.

What excites you about your work at Berkeley Lab?

The research and being an integral part of bringing science solutions to the world. The opportunity to collaborate with some of the most brilliant people on the planet. A community of lifelong learners.

How can our country engage more women, girls, and members of other underrepresented groups in STEM or operations?

I think our country does a fairly good job at engaging women, girls and members of underrepresented minority groups (URMs) in STEM. Unfortunately, the hazing and biased (implicit and explicit) culture of the STEM community often creates a hostile work environment that isn't conducive for a sustainable career in STEM for these groups. Moving the needle any farther will continue at a glacial pace, but as more URMs enter STEM, the culture will hopefully change, and retention will increase. I believe it is imperative for women/URMs to mentor and hire women/URMs in their research groups and STEM professional teams. Obviously, it's up to us to make the change for us, or the landscape of the STEM ecosystem would already be diverse, and it is not. We have to be the change we want to see in the world.

Do you have tips you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

No, I woke up like this! (just kidding) No tips, just something to consider: when you approach your work as your authentic self, leveraging your strengths and being self aware of your limitations, you will find your tribe and your purpose--trust the process and have faith in you!

When you have free time, what are your hobbies?

Fine dining, partying with loved ones, traveling, gardening, movie junkie, dancing, coloring, puzzles, playing UNO, driving fast cars.