Getting a complete and accurate count in 2020 requires everyone's help. And there are many ways for individuals, businesses, community organizations, and others to play a part. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and is key to shaping the future of communities. Census statistics are used to determine...

Guest blog post by Allison Bourke, Supervisory Patent Examiner, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office I am a supervisory patent examiner at the Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in electrochemistry technology, specifically solar cells, thermoelectrics, fuel cells, and batteries. I support 15 patent examiners and provide assistance so they can get their patent...

Guest blog post by Lisa Larsen, Civil Engineer, U.S. Economic Development Administration I am a Civil Engineer and work for the Commerce Department's U.S. Economic Development Administration. I oversee and manage a multitude of projects related to the construction of public infrastructure in communities that are economically distressed. The work we do includes upgrading water/sewer lines...

As Acting Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, I manage the daily operations of the International Trade Administration, comprised of 2,200 colleagues: 200 plus based in Washington, D.C., more than 100 located in offices across the United States, and the remaining located in 70 offices around the world. If there is one thing I have experienced throughout my professional life, an open...

Guest blog post by Julianne Kingery, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Economic Development Administration My name is Julianne Kingery and I am an Economic Development Specialist at the Commerce Department's U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Denver Regional Office. Our office covers a ten-state region that includes Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North...

Guest blog post by Gema Howell, Computer Scientist and IT Security Engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) I am a computer scientist and IT security engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. I work within the Applied Cybersecurity Division of NIST’s Information Technology Lab. I spend part of of my time at NIST’s Gaithersburg campus and part of...

Guest blog post by Gabriela Morales, Senior Business Development Specialist, Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA) I am excited to have the opportunity to be featured during Women’s History Month. I am a Senior Business Development Specialist at the Commerce Department's Minority Business Development Agency. My job is to ensure minority-owned firms have adequate skills, tools...