Hume Seminar Series: How to Build a Federal Government Career at a Young Age

About the Event:

In this Hume Seminar Series talk, “How to Build a Federal Government Career at a Young Age,” Mimi Luu shares her personal journey into federal service and national security, offering students a practical roadmap for launching an impactful career early on. Drawing from her experience as an Acting Division Chief and Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM), Mimi will discuss how curiosity, persistence, and strategic skill-building can open doors to leadership roles in cybersecurity, IT, and mission-critical federal programs.

Students will gain insight into navigating federal career pathways, developing technical and leadership competencies, and balancing specialization with adaptability in complex government environments. Mimi will also reflect on the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and personal discipline, providing actionable advice for students interested in national security careers.

About the Speaker:

Khanh Quan Luu (Mimi)
Acting PMD Chief/PERT Bureau Lead ISSO
U.S. Department of State

Mimi Luu is an Information Technology Professional and cybersecurity leader who proves that with determination, curiosity, and hard work, you can build an exciting and meaningful career.  As the Acting Division Chief and Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM), she helps protect critical systems, lead major technology initiatives, and guide teams that solve complex real-world problems.  She is leading the Program Management Office in strategic portfolio oversight, directed Contract Administration and vendor relationships, and oversee the Business Analysis teams in requirements gathering and process improvement initiatives. Supervised Quality Assurance and Testing operations to ensure delivery excellence through rigorous testing protocols and quality standards. Maintained comprehensive oversight of Compliance and Security functions, ensuring regulatory adherence, risk management, and information security protocol enforcement.  Provided leadership for Architecture teams in establishing technical standards and systems design frameworks while manage the UI/UX Design and AI team to strategize for optimal user experience. This multifaceted role balanced strategic vision with operational execution across technical, security, and business domains.

Mimi earned her Executive Leadership Program Certificate at Harvard Business School last March of 2025, achieved a Master Degree in Computer Science from The George Washington University and dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is passionate about helping students discover their strengths, explore opportunities in technology, and build confidence in their career paths.

Outside of work, Mimi is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kung Fu, plays and coaches soccer, enjoys golfing, and loves fishing — reminding students that success is about balance, discipline, and enjoying the journey.