Nuclear security by day, fighting fires by night? That's the daily life of Phoebe Devos-Cole, NNSA NGFP Fellow with the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning.
National Nuclear Security Administration
March 22, 2024
minute read time
How do you support NNSA?
I am a Fellow in the NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program, working in the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning. I support the Policy Office, which looks at what is going on in the national and international security environment and how this affects NNSA’s mission. This work enables NNSA to anticipate and respond to emerging national security challenges.
What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career?
I grew up in a public service-oriented household. My parents were always involved in local government and our community, and they instilled in me the value of public service at a young age. My father and two of my brothers served in the Navy, and I was interested in government from a young age.
These experiences have had a tremendous impact on my personal and professional development because they taught me to look at issues from multiple perspectives and underscored the value of diversity of thought and experiences, which is essential in the nuclear security field.
What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?
I studied political science and sociology in college and public policy in graduate school. I’ve always been interested in government and foreign policy, as well as understanding how societies function and differ and how this contributes to policymaking in the international space. I studied abroad twice during my academic career, which interested me in international affairs and cross-cultural communication. These experiences have had a tremendous impact on my personal and professional development because they taught me to look at issues from multiple perspectives and underscored the value of diversity of thought and experiences, which is essential in the nuclear security field.
What led you to a career in nuclear security?
I knew I wanted to work in national security from a young age and serve my country in some capacity. I was a recipient of the Los Alamos National Laboratory Employees Education Scholarship Fund and started interning at the lab in college. After a few years of supporting the emergency management team, I found my way into a nonproliferation summer school and started working on nuclear policy issues. Since then, I’ve supported U.S. nuclear security goals in a number of roles. Contributing to U.S. nuclear security and being a part of such an important mission and something much bigger than myself gets me out of bed in the morning.
What is the best part about your job?
The people! I feel lucky that I get to work with some of the smartest people in the world and that I’m continuously learning from them. I’m a curious person and I love that I’ll never stop learning in this field.
What is your proudest accomplishment while working at NNSA?
As cheesy as it sounds, being part of such an important mission is something I take pride in every day.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
Outside of work, I coach CrossFit and ride horses competitively. I am also a volunteer firefighter!
Do you have any highlights from your time supporting NNSA?
One of my favorite projects that I work on is the Strategic Outlook Initiative. Strategic Outlook Initiative studies, which look at over-the-horizon emerging or unanticipated risks and challenges that will affect NNSA’s mission, are overseen by my office but the research is carried out across the enterprise. We just wrapped up a study on climate change, and I’m one of the lead staff members overseeing a study on enterprise-wide supply chain issues. Being involved in these forward-looking projects and working with some of the smartest people in the world has been an incredible opportunity.
You’ll undoubtedly face obstacles and challenges in your career but know that they’re part of the process and don’t let them discourage you from working towards your goals.
What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in nuclear security?
Be curious. Do your best to learn as much as you can in whatever job or field you’re in and ask a lot of questions. Also, be tenacious. You’ll undoubtedly face obstacles and challenges in your career but know that they’re part of the process and don’t let them discourage you from working towards your goals.
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
One of my first mentors at Los Alamos, Paula, inspires me daily. Not only is she incredibly intelligent and good at her job, but she is an incredible leader. She inspires me to be the best version of myself both professionally and personally.
How do you plan to celebrate/commemorate Women’s History Month? Does this celebration have special meaning to you?
This month I’m connecting with the women in my life who inspire me. I also attended the Women in Strategic Trade Controls event in DC this month, which highlighted the contributions of women to the field of strategic trade controls and broader international security.