NASA was so kind when we approached them for our Senior Solutions season last year.
The Women at NASA did not hesitate to help us. And to provide information for our website and our project.
One of the reasons I reached out to NASA is because we are a
NASA EXPLORER SCHOOL and they provide a wealth of information to our School as well as our Lego clubs.
The Women at NASA did not hesitate to help us. And to provide information for our website and our project.
One of the reasons I reached out to NASA is because we are a
NASA EXPLORER SCHOOL and they provide a wealth of information to our School as well as our Lego clubs.
How did you get interested in your career?
-My older sister would bring science experiments home (she's 4 years older) and do them with the younger siblings. This exposed me to science early on and I never lost the curiosity. I have always wanted to soar through the atmosphere and I knew NASA was where I would end up. Luckily, I had the right mentors along the way to illuminate the path I eventually took.
• What are some qualities and skills that make someone good at your job?
-My job, like many, requires people who can communicate well, both oral and written. The best candidate should also be able to take criticism and use it to become a better employee. Training astronauts and working in Mission Control requires us to be vigilant and think outside the box, as lives depend on us doing our jobs well. Multitasking makes the job feel easier, as there always seem to be numerous high priority items simultaneously occurring!
• What do you like most about your job?
-I like the people around me the most. The job about space is super cool and I eagerly watch rocket launches. But the best part is the group of people who do that work. Most are humble, smart people who truly care about the work.
• What do you like least?
-There's not much about the job that I don't like. Sometimes, as with most jobs, we all have to do tedious items like fixing broken links on the group website. While they are not my favorite, it is a nice break from the usual day to day technical tasks!
• How does your work affect people?
-I think people around the world recognize NASA as a leader in science and technology. Moreover, I often hear from students to professionals about the awe they feel regarding rocket science! My favorite thing to do is talk to students of any age because they ask questions that tell me our work at NASA affects their curiosity. And with curiosity comes innovative thoughts, and that is incredibly important to instill in the next generation.
• How does your work help people stay independent, engaged, or connected?
-NASA often reaches people in ways that other jobs cannot because people always seem to be able to connect to spaceflight. Besides the cool factor, students find the technology it takes to achieve such solutions to tough problems inspiring.
• What do you think is the biggest problem facing your job today?
-It's tough to explore space on a small budget, but somehow NASA is finding a way to do it. But budget cuts usually means cutting other innovative and potentially landmark ideas. But one thing NASA never does is compromise quality and safety of the work we can complete under the budget we are given!
• Where can we learn more about STEM and innovation?
-You can learn more about STEM and innovation by going to http://education.nasa.gov and http://women.nasa.gov/outreach. NASA has some amazing education outreach materials for teachers and students