Employee Spotlight: Nikki Hutchens

Meet Nikki Hutchens, one of our talented Systems Administrators! Nikki discovered us through ClearanceJobs and has had a unique journey into the IT world. With a degree in biochemistry, she started her career in the dairy and nonprofit industries before making a bold pivot into IT. After earning certifications in help desk work, Nikki landed her first Systems Administrator role — and quickly realized not only was she good at it, but she loved it. She’s embraced the fast-paced nature of tech, always pushing herself to learn, grow and continue adding certifications and more experience to her resume.
 
Nikki’s career advice? “Keep an open mind and be open to new and different opportunities. Don’t be discouraged by an end — it can be a new beginning!” Outside of work, Nikki enjoys knitting and diving into sci-fi and fantasy books. Regarding Cornerstone Defense, she especially appreciates that our company invests in its people, noting this is the first place she’s worked with a dedicated training budget to help employees grow. Nikki’s go-to motto is something they’ve always said in her family: “It’s always better to know” — because knowing the truth, even when it’s tough, allows you to take action and make positive change. We agree, and we’re so lucky to have Nikki and her positive outlook on our team!