I wanted to see what I’m made of when you take all of the support systems away and there’s no redundancies like a spacecraft. It’s just me, single failure mode." 

Steven Ramm (AeroEngr’13) is a Lockheed Martin program manager and CBS Survivor contestant. 

The CU Boulder aerospace graduate leads a team of engineers at Lockheed Martin working on concept designs for NASA lunar exploration missions, and earlier this year took a break from his day-to-day job for the chance at $1 million in prize money on Survivor Season 49, which starts airing tonight (September 24).

Why did you want to be a contestant on Survivor?

Survivor has always been a dream of mine. I’ve loved the show ever since I started watching and always watched the players going through the game thinking, “I would do this differently, I would do that differently, I’d be way more cutthroat, I’d be way more diplomatic.”

Growing up I was not very good at math, it was my least strong subject, but I loved space so much that I studied my butt off and ended up getting a degree from CU Boulder. I looked at Survivor and thought, “I am going to be so far out of my comfort zone if I play this game,” but that’s where all the growth happens.

I wanted to see what I’m made of when you take all of the support systems away and there’s no redundancies like a spacecraft. It’s just me, single failure mode, and what can I make happen.

I learned a lot about myself and I had so much fun. It was the most fun I’ve had in my entire life.

Was being an engineer helpful on the show?

CU Boulder is something I hold near and dear to my heart. I love the aerospace department, all the opportunities its given me in my career and life.

Besides just the basic mechanics of building things like a shelter, which was pretty intuitive, my job working in industry is bringing a lot of different coalitions of people together to achieve a common goal. Space is very difficult, it’s the hardest thing you can do. Not only are you competing with the technical aspect of it, but you’re bringing together the political climate. Every Administration has a different agenda with NASA. You have big budgets that you’re working towards and tight deadlines.

I got very good at communicating with lots of people in different areas. Being able to meet people where they’re at and deliver the message in the most effective way possible is a massive skill to cultivate. That was extremely helpful in a game of social politics, which I felt was what 99% of Survivor was, working with these people and making sure they don’t want to vote you out.

The survival aspect is very tough, but it’s the social politics, and I got pretty good at that with a lot of what I’ve been doing in my life.

On Survivor, hiding your career from other contestants can be beneficial, particularly for people who work in highly technical fields. Did you take a cue from past players and avoid sharing what you do for a living?

You are just going to have to tune in. That was part of my strategy coming in. I went back and forth on it a lot. It is something people take into consideration.

How many times had you applied to be on the show?

First time. I was incredibly shocked. Now here I am. I’m proof if you are interested and Survivor is a dream, or anything, and you feel like maybe you’re not good enough for it, just apply. Put your name in the ring.

I never want to look back and wonder, “What if?” I’ve always raised my hand to apply for things that were extremely cool, but maybe way out of my comfort zone. It’s served me well in life and is my one piece of advice – if I can make it happen, you can do anything.

Was it a problem asking Lockheed Martin to take five consecutive weeks of vacation?

I was very blessed with a very supportive manager who understood and supported my dreams. Lockheed Martin was very supportive of the endeavor. I was little nervous, because you’re going to be on national television, but they said, “This sounds like an incredible opportunity for you, good luck.”

After the season wrapped, what was it like going back to work?

It was harder than I thought it would be. Being out on the island I felt like all of my emotions and senses were dialed up to 11. Not having been on my phone or answering any emails, it was a little challenging to reintegrate at first. The spreadsheets were not slapping the way they used to.

You’re always playing the game 24x7 and coming back home not playing that game, your day to day coworkers aren’t conspiring to vote you out of the company, but your mind is still a little bit geared that way. I had to constantly remind myself, “This is normal, they’re just talking about work stuff. They’re not conspiring to betray me.”

What is your biggest takeaway from being on Survivor?

One of the motivators for going on the show was to shed some imposter syndrome that I’ve been carrying with me. Growing up not being the best at math, but now being a successful aerospace engineer, I’ve always felt a little bit like an imposter in some of the NASA boardrooms and meetings.

I’ve always been my biggest critic, so to play the game and discover the edges of myself in such an exciting way I learned there’s nothing that I can’t do if I put my mind to it and I think that rings true for everybody.

This season is going to be one for the books. I think a lot of people are going to be very excited. Of course I’m biased, I was there. I think the fans will really enjoy this one.