Month: August 2014

INTERNSHIP: Optics Branch Code

UNIVERSITY: Cornell University

HOMETOWN: Princeton Junction, New Jersey

FAVORITE PASSION: Classic Rock

DREAM JOB: Working on the future mission to put a man on Mars.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE AT NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN GREENBELT, MARYLAND?

Using an interferometer to produce interferograms that I learned how to analyze on the computer.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERNING AT NASA?

Apply! It’s a fun and exciting summer that gives you experience that you can take with you to future jobs.

INTERNSHIP: ISS Payload Proposer’s Guide

UNIVERSITY: University of Pennsylvania

HOMETOWN: Ashburn, VA

FAVORITE PASSIONS: Solving puzzles, biking

DREAM JOB: Nuclear Engineer

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE AT NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN GREENBELT, MARYLAND?

My best experience here has definitely been the Science Jamboree during the Employee Engagement Activities. I had already heard rumors of what work was happening at Goddard, but to see it first hand and to be able to talk about it with involved personnel was truly amazing.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERNING AT NASA?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. NASA/GSFC contains a huge concentration of well-educated scientists and engineers, so if you ever need help, don’t hesitate. Being an intern, you might be assigned with something challenging. It is important to seek guidance if you’re struggling, because it could be possible that there’s a lot on the line.

INTERNSHIP: Research Intern (Astrophysics)

UNIVERSITY: Harvard University

HOMETOWN: Livingston, NJ

FAVORITE PASSION: Eating

DREAM JOB: Physicist

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE AT NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN GREENBELT, MARYLAND?

I have really enjoyed the being able to come in everyday and work alongside world-class researchers on some mind-boggling problems. For my internship, I built a tool to analyze simulations involving neutron stars—something I never would have even dreamed of doing before! Having a direct mentor has also been fantastic; I’ve certainly picked up new ways to approach problems as well as a slew of new technical skills.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERNING AT NASA?

I would say, “Go for it! The worst they can say is ‘no’. “ I honestly thought I didn’t stand a chance at getting an internship because I was a college freshman and NASA is such a big name. Having spent a few amazing weeks at GSFC, I feel so silly that I even hesitated to apply.

NAME: Rachel Owrutsky

INTERNSHIP: Ocean Biology Field Support Laboratory

UNIVERSITY: University of Delaware

HOMETOWN: Silver Spring, MD

FAVORITE PASSION: Ultimate Frisbee

DREAM JOB: Astronaut? (I don’t really know yet)

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE AT NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN GREENBELT, MARYLAND?

Having the extraordinary convenience of simply walking down the street and getting to hear about the amazing experience that someone like John Mather or Mike Hopkins had in their science-driven lifetime.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERNING AT NASA?

Never turn down the opportunity to talk to someone new here at Goddard (or any NASA campus); you never know where you might end up.

NASA interns come from a variety of geographical locations and backgrounds.This summer, The Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland hosted more than 250 interns for the summer.This section will highlight some of Goddard’s outstanding interns and their career goals.

INTERNSHIP: Collaborative Workbench Using Science Data Analysis

UNIVERSITY: I graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. I am currently enrolled at the University of Connecticut.

HOMETOWN: Durham, North Carolina

FAVORITE PASSION: Math, Science, Sports, and Travel

DREAM JOB: Data Analyst at Goddard Space Flight Center/NASA, or another federal agency

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE AT NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN GREENBELT, MARYLAND?

My best experience was going to the event featuring NASA Astronaut Mike Hopkins and his talk about his time in space for the 37/38 Expedition. I enjoyed the video he showed and what he expressed about how he lived, what he ate, who went on the mission with him, and what his responsibilities were. It was very fun to be there and enjoy what he had to say. I’ve had other great experiences here such as the tour of the Webb telescope and other events around the center but the Hopkins event stood out to me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERNING AT NASA?

My advice would be to just apply yourself, and go for it. If you’re really interested in working at NASA, just prepare yourself to work on a really cool project that is relative to what you’re studying. This is a great place to work, the environment is friendly, and just prepare to have fun!