Booz Allen and the Boomerang Employees: The Story of a Comeback Career

We hear all sorts of interesting stories about Booz Allen employees. There’s the one about Rachel Tao, who attended daycare at Booz Allen and now works in healthcare at the firm. And there’s the one about Josh Carroll, an engineer who taught himself physics with YouTube.

But some of the favorite stories are about employees who leave Booz Allen and then decide to return. Booz Allen feels honored that each of their employees chose them—and it’s even more meaningful when they hear that they chose them twice.

One such employee is Sybil Campbell, a chief deputy architect who works in global defense. Here’s the story of her decision to leave the firm—and why she returned.

Booz Allen – The Obvious First Choice

Sybil was initially drawn to Booz Allen because of the firm’s mission-focused work and flexibility in terms of location. She had worked for the Department of Defense for over eight years, and Booz Allen’s work aligned with her area of expertise and her passion. However, the work can be intense, and, for Sybil, the heaviness of it led to some burnout. “I struggled internally because I felt so personally responsible for our missions. I was literally helping protect people, and it became hard for me to walk away at the end of each day.”

Reasons to Leave

Around that time, Sybil answered a call to find a recruiter on the other end. They offered her a role with an increased salary and stock options and a change of pace that sounded appealing. While determining whether to leave was a challenge, she ultimately decided that it was worth the risk. “I had been in one area of work for so long that I thought it would be a growth opportunity to see what other companies were like. I didn’t want to always wonder about it.”

After much consideration, she left the firm.

What Happened in The Time Away

The first three months in the commercial space were flashy and distracting, explains Sybil. But then, reality set in. “I was traveling 25% more than I did at Booz Allen. I was working 25% more than I did at Booz Allen. But the catalyst was that I wasn’t happy with the mission,” says Sybil. “I was engineering fun things, but I learned that creating solutions for commercial companies doesn’t drive me. I care about making airplanes fly. I care about mentoring and leading future engineers.”

“After a few months in the new role, I texted my former principal and said, ‘Can I come home?’”

Within three weeks, Sybil was rehired at Booz Allen, where she continues to support Aerospace.

Gaining A New Perspective

Sybil’s stint away from the firm taught her a few valuable lessons. First, an employer’s outlook on work-life harmony is so important. “It’s easier to maintain boundaries now,” says Sybil. “I often log off early to spend time with my daughter, knowing I have the flexibility to catch up after bedtime if needed. Booz Allen supports the fact that I prioritize my daughter—and my family understands the importance of the missions I support.”

She also learned that an employer that values growth is invaluable. “At Booz Allen, you can create your own path. The sky is the limit—you can build your career to be exactly what you want,” she says.

Finally, Sybil learned that she’s most motivated by work that helps others. Whether it’s the missions she supports or the firm-based work she does supporting veterans and Women in STEM, Sybil finds fulfillment in the opportunities at Booz Allen.