Category: STEM

From Soccer Fields to Space: A Journey to NASA

Growing up in San Miguel, Mexico, Nestor Cano never thought of interning for NASA. Instead, Cano dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, spending every moment he could on the field learning new tips and tricks—a theme that would continue through his life. While he came from humble beginnings, Cano’s family was always supportive of his dream and did everything they could to help him achieve it.

Alt Text: A portrait of a young Nestor Cano. He smiles with his hair parted and wearing a red shirt.
Alt Text: A portrait of a young Nestor Cano. He smiles, his hair parted, and wearing a red shirt.

“Part of who I am is due to the great support that I have always had from my mother,” said Cano. “She is the greatest support I have had; even when we were economically limited, she always made sure I was able to do my activities.”

At the age of 14, Cano’s parents decided to send him to live with his grandmother in California with the hopes of creating a better future for him. Cano didn’t speak English when he arrived in the United States, so he was enrolled in an elementary school for six months before graduating to his local high school. It wasn’t until his sophomore year of high school that he started to become confident in his English skills and began getting involved with clubs on campus. After graduation, Cano went back to Mexico to begin trials for professional soccer teams, although ultimately he returned to California with his little sister, for whom he was now responsible.

Alt Text: Nestor Cano as a young student. He poses alongside a certificate of achievement and two ribbons he received. He wears a school uniform with a dark tie and matching sweater.
Alt Text: Nestor Cano as a young student. He poses alongside a certificate of achievement and two ribbons he received. He wears a school uniform with a dark tie and a matching sweater.

“For about a year and a half, I was working two jobs, getting only three to four hours of sleep each night,” Cano shared. “Finally, I asked myself if this was a life I wanted to keep pursuing. That’s when I thought maybe I should go back to school.”

After deciding to return to school, Cano had to find a way to pay for his classes, his sister, and his life, which led him to become a plumber and pipefitter. After committing to his plumbing career, Cano discovered a passion for engineering, pushing him to consider it as his future career. Cano spent five years working and attending college before beginning an engineering internship with the same company. Still, Cano knew he could do more, so he researched engineering schools and internship programs until he found the University of California-Berkeley and NASA.

“I went from being a community college student and an intern working on construction engineering, to being a student at UC Berkeley and an intern at NASA,” said Cano, “After three years working towards the requirements, time to apply had finally came. I worked on the application for over two weeks.”

Cano’s internship project is with the Fluid Mechanics Lab at Ames Research Center, where he works with the Laser Spark Evaluating In-flow project (LASEI). The main goal of this research is to develop an optical method for measuring ambient pressure, density, temperature, and flow angularity in wind tunnels. Essentially, the team’s primary objective is to enhance the visual data that is gathered during wind tunnel testing of aircraft and other components.

Alt Text: Nesto Cano, alongside a diverse team of colleagues, pose atop a red, white, and blue NASA meatball logo.
Alt Text: Nesto Cano, alongside a diverse team of colleagues, poses atop a red, white, and blue NASA meatball logo. Behind them, a sandy volleyball court and hangars make up the background. 

As a Hispanic American, Cano feels this internship demonstrates that his ethnicity and cultural background are not barriers. For him, this experience proves that through hard work and dedication, anyone can pursue their dreams, no matter where they came from.

“This internship has introduced me to the research area of engineering, and I have been learning critical aspects of modeling for prototypes and the iterations required to achieve a great product,” Cano said. “Learning from the best engineers in their respective fields is a unique experience, since they have the knowledge, experience, patience, and skill to teach interns like me.”

Tara Roanhorse/NASA Headquarters

Making Her Own Place in Space: Caitlyn McClanahan’s HBCU Journey

“My mom always told me she believed that whatever you wanted to do when you were a child is your destiny—what you’re destined to do in life. And when I was a kid, I had every STEM interest.”

NASA intern Caitlyn McClanahan as a young student posing with her younger sister Erin in front of a science fair project, a recreation of the solar system. The two smile holding paper cutouts of stars. Credit: Caitlyn McClanahan
Alt Text: NASA intern Caitlyn McClanahan as a young student posing with her younger sister Erin in front of a science fair project, a recreation of the solar system. The two smile holding paper cutouts of stars. Credit: Caitlyn McClanahan

Meet Caitlyn McClanahan, a Weather Data Processing intern at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

Growing up, McClanahan always loved studying the sciences. “I had a robotics phase. I had an astronaut phase. I had a weather phase. I had a paleontology phase. I had a chemistry phase,” she said.

Alt Text: NASA intern Caitlyn McClanahan as a young student sitting on a table in a book store smiling with a large history book open upon her lap. Credit: Caitlyn McClanahan
Alt Text: NASA intern Caitlyn McClanahan as a young student sitting on a table in a book store smiling with a large history book on her lap. Credit: Caitlyn McClanahan

However, as a young Black woman living in a Midwestern small town, she often found herself being the only Black woman in predominantly white  spaces. “It causes a lot of people to have anxiety, coming into a space and noticing that this is a very white space, a very male space. I’ve found myself throughout life kind of minimizing myself to try to fit into this space that I believe is too big for me.”

After graduating from high school, McClanahan continued her education at Hampton University. Founded in 1868, it is the oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Virginia. Recounting her first days at Hampton, she was surprised to find that her science courses were  predominantly attended by women.

“In fact, our teacher told us there were four men majoring in chemistry that year, which was considered a lot more than usual,” McClanahan said. “It was such a stark difference to see so many women, especially so many Black women, who looked like me and had the same interest as me. And it was just such an awesome environment to regain that confidence in myself.”

Alt Text: NASA interns including Caitlyn McClanahan meet with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at NASA's Langley Research Center. Bill Nelson smiles as he shakes an intern hand the other looking on smiling at him. Credit: NASA
Alt Text: NASA interns including Caitlyn McClanahan meet with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Bill Nelson smiles as he shakes an intern hand the other looking on smiling at him. Credit: NASA

Located just 15 minutes away from NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton University has long had a rich history supporting the space agency. McClanahan quickly noticed how NASA celebrates Black experts, including Black scientists, such as “Hidden Figures” Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary W. Jackson.

Alt Text: NASA intern Caitlyn McClanahan poses with NASA's LOFTID (Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator) within a large hangar at NASA's Langley Research Center. She smiles and wears business casual attire. Credit: Caitlyn McClanahan
Alt Text: NASA intern Caitlyn McClanahan poses with NASA’s LOFTID (Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator) within a large hangar at NASA’s Langley Research Center. She smiles and wears business casual attire. Credit: Caitlyn McClanahan

“I feel welcome here,” McClanahan said. “I remember on my first day on-site I was nervous and walking along and a woman came up to me, stopped me, and chatted with me. Her being a Black woman, and one of the first people I talked to here, really made my anxiety crumble away. Since then, I’ve truly felt that NASA is working to reflect the diversity of America, and I am really excited to get to be a part of that.”

Asked to share advice for others who may follow in her footsteps, she said, “It’s easy to feel self-conscious, but remember that a lot of people have doubts and anxiety. They still fight through it and figure it out. Everyone doesn’t do great their first time. In fact, it took me about six applications to land my internship!”

Decades in the Making: Intern’s Non-Traditional Path to NASA Internship

Since the inaugural space shuttle launch in 1981, former intern Mike Fogg has dreamt of working at NASA. Fogg has applied for NASA opportunities since the early 2000s. As Fogg increased his expertise, he continued to apply for internships, but felt that he was at a disadvantage for not having a space-related degree.

“I’ve wanted to work for NASA almost as long as I can remember. I think my first application with NASA was in 2001 or 2002, after I’d left school the first time, for a position for which I was wildly unqualified,” Fogg said.

Fogg returned to school in 2017 to receive a degree in space studies from American Military University. With some convincing from his mentor, he applied to multiple NASA intern positions and ultimately received an internship offer for a role at NASA Headquarters in summer 2023.

“The feeling of finally accepting a position with NASA after so long was one of the greatest senses of relief and excitement I’ve ever felt. The day I received the offer letter stands as one of the most memorable of my life,” Fogg said.

Alt Text: Mike Fogg poses in front of a sculpture of the NASA worm logo outside of NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. NASA is spelled out in large red and shiny block letters. Photo Credit: Mike Fogg
Alt Text: Mike Fogg poses in front of a sculpture of the NASA worm logo outside of NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. NASA is spelled out in large red and shiny block letters. Photo Credit: Mike Fogg

Fogg refers to himself as a non-traditional student. Before receiving the internship, Fogg worked a variety of jobs, from computer systems analyst and project lead at the United States Patent & Trademark Office to technical editor for a forensic engineering firm.

“The ‘traditional’ path to NASA seems to be getting hired just after graduating college or out of the military, whereas I kind of had an entire career beforehand. It’s certainly not a traditional path to be having an internship in your late 40s,” Fogg said.

Fogg worked with NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate to update the TechPort website and related database. TechPort houses NASA’s active and complete technology projects. Fogg worked alongside his mentor, Jonathan Bowie.

Alt Text: Mike Fogg stands with his hands on his hips on the edge of the pool inside NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. Within the large pool a replica of the International Space Station is visible beneath the water surface. Photo Credit: NASA
Alt Text: Mike Fogg stands with his hands on his hips on the edge of the pool inside NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. Within the large pool a replica of the International Space Station is visible beneath the water surface.
Photo Credit: NASA

“My mentor has been immensely supportive, not just of the work I’m doing as an intern, but of my attempts to pursue a career here at NASA,” Fogg said. “I have been taught a lot about the inner workings of NASA, its infrastructure, what NASA’s goals are, and how NASA is looking to the future of space exploration.”

Fogg encourages other non-traditional students to “keep trying. As much as you want it to, success is not going to come overnight. Also, you’ve probably got a healthy dose of imposter syndrome due to attempting to change careers later in life – be aware of that and know that you’re not alone in that. It’s never too late.”

Gracie Glover/NASA Headquarters

Failure to Future: An Intern’s Journey to Success

Erica Kriner as a child, posing in front of an abstract art mural that consists of NASA, Apollo, and other space-related items.
Erica Kriner as a child, posing in front of an abstract art mural that consists of NASA, Apollo, and other space-related items.

“Failure is not an option.” Erica Kriner thought that this quote was a motto that she could live by. She then learned that the quote is a little misleading. “Failure is inevitable; what defines your character is what you do after it happens,” Kriner said. 

NASA Fellowship 

Erica Kriner recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography with minors in Sustainability and Anthropology. She is also a former Audio Storytelling NASA intern with a Fellowship from the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Her primary duty as an intern was to help with scripting and producing NASA’s Curious Universe which is a podcast where she told stories about science and the people behind it at NASA. 

NASA Fellowships are competitive awards to support independently conceived or designed research, or senior design projects by highly qualified faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students, in disciplines needed to help advance NASA’s missions. This gives them the opportunity to directly contribute to advancements in STEM-related areas of study. The Fellowship opportunities are focused on innovation and generating measurable research results that contribute to NASA’s current and future science and technology goals. 

DEVELOP Program 

Kriner was also a part of NASA’s DEVELOP Program which conducts feasibility studies that bridge the gap between Earth science information and society. These projects help both participants and partners learn more about using geospatial information. Three times a year, participants apply through a competitive application process. Those selected conduct 10-week research projects in interdisciplinary teams of 4-5 people. They work closely with DEVELOP science advisors and mentors to apply Earth observations address to real-world problems. Through this process, participants build both research and science communication skills. These skills and project experience help set them up for success in the workforce. 

In Defeat, I am Defiant. 

It’s difficult for Kriner to put into words what it means not just to have this internship but even just to be at NASA. She feels like every decision she has made for her future has not just been for herself. 

Those decisions have been for her family: her mother, who raised her young and single, and who had to drop out of college and donate plasma every week just to pay the bills; her grandparents, who opened their home to them and who supported Erica unconditionally, even after she had to come home from college and was at her lowest point. “I’m not just building my legacy here; I’m also continuing their legacies of tenacity, compassion, and resilience. Everything I do is because of them and for them.” Kriner said. 

“From the vantage point of hindsight, I can say with certainty that the moments that felt like failure were the moments that made this path possible. I wouldn’t be at NASA if it weren’t for those initial failures.” 

Succeed with NASA like Erica has and apply to be an intern at our website today! Also, feel free to check out Margarita Bassil, a NASA intern who also interpreted her mistakes as lessons to become successful at NASA. 

Nonstop Aerospace Adventure- Joseph Birtman

A former NASA intern from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida standing in front of the Space Launch System Rocket (SLS) for the Artemis I missions.
A former NASA intern from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida standing in front of the Space Launch System Rocket (SLS) for the Artemis I missions.

Every day we continue to push the boundaries of our knowledge. Joseph Birtman was always interested in space and fascinated with a sky full of stars ever since he was 12 years old. He finally achieved his dream as he worked hard to contribute to one of the most inspiring parts of humanity. 

Moon Simulation Tool 

“I had an interesting background and mix of skills, and a deep enthusiasm for space,” Birtman said.  

Joseph Birtman is currently a senior at the University of California, Berkley, where he is double majoring in Computer Science and Economics. He is also a former NASA intern from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and worked in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) lab. 

NASA will be landing on the Moon in the coming years. There, they need numerous unmanned vehicles and systems to assist the astronauts, perform science experiments and ultimately work toward the journey to Mars. 

Birtman worked on a simulation tool of the Moon called the Lunar Uncrewed Explorer Tool (LUnExT is an acronym made by Birtman and another intern for this simulation tool). This tool is used to plan independent missions and operations. He implemented into the simulation how much dust is kicked up during a landing, also known as a Plume Surface Interaction (PSI). PSI is essential for planning how close a rocket could land to ground equipment or determining how far a camera could be to document the landing. 

With the features mentioned and numerous others, this allows NASA scientists to quickly and easily create moon mission plans which are extremely important in the Age of Artemis. 

Diversity is Key 

Birtman resonated with NASA’s core values, especially “Diversity.” Diversity is the key factor that leads to world-class innovations and discoveries. “The only way to create amazing things is through people with various backgrounds and viewpoints,” Birtman said. 

His experience at NASA was unlike any other and he was grateful that he worked hard to get to where he is today. He believed that if you are even slightly interested in space or NASA missions, then you should apply. 

Don’t worry if your background isn’t STEM! NASA provides multiple roles for different majors and skill sets such as business, human resources, public relations, and even counterintelligence! The “lack of the “traditional” path may make your application even stronger,” Birtman stated. 

Find out if we have the right role for you on our website. Additionally, feel free to check out Samuel Mohler and read about how he learned from pure passion, enthusiasm, and curiosity about space, science, and NASA missions just like Joseph! 

 

Visualizing the Future – Yuhan Liu 

Yuhan Liu is standing on the roof of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with her hard hat on.
Yuhan Liu is standing on the roof of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with her hard hat on. 

It is National STEM Day! Today is the day that is dedicated to encouraging everyone to explore their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Yuhan Liu, a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, is double majoring in Digital Media Design and Entrepreneurship. She is also a former Technology Design Visualization NASA intern at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “I am overjoyed to be able to witness the many innovations that are helping to bring us back to the Moon,” Liu said. 

SBIR Program and Boeing DV Lab 

As a former Technology Design Visualization NASA intern, Liu worked with NASA’s Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) Program. The SBIR Program funds small businesses and universities to create new NASA technologies. 

Liu also worked with the Boeing Design Visualization (DV) Lab which specializes in 3D laser scans to support ground operations. The Boeing DV Lab leverages 3D scanning, simulations, and modeling to ensure the efficiency and safety of NASA ground operations. In Liu’s day-to-day as an intern, she was usually in the lab, creating a 3D model or simulation of an environment or piece of technology at the Kennedy Space Center. If she is not found in the lab, then she was supporting the team in capturing 3D laser scans of a building, launchpad, or observing technology that is to be modeled in a research lab. 

Liu works with both teams to 3D model, simulate, and communicate new technology that is being developed for the Artemis Program. She has modeled new plant growth systems and launched software and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) machinery. Her project extended to multiple agencies and various research groups at the Kennedy Space Center. Liu’s most memorable excursion was to the Vehicle Assembly Building, in which the Boeing team came to laser-scan a sagging high bay platform. When one-half of the Orion Capsule Access platform was found to be two inches lower, she performed a laser scan and produced a 3D visualization. 

Every Day is a New Adventure 

Liu has absolutely loved the chance to work with software in the office and grab a safety helmet and see the wonders of the Kennedy Space Center up close. With every day being a new adventure, this internship was a perfect combination of her passions. While working with software to generate meaningful 3D models to contribute to the entire agency’s Artemis efforts, Liu was drawn to the intersection between art and computer science.  

As a computer graphics major, she hopes to invent software that is not only important, efficient, and useful, but also visually compelling. From this position, Liu has learned the significance of 3D modeling and how accurate visualizations can make a tremendous difference in guaranteeing mission safety, advancing new technology, and communicating complicated ideas. 

If you are interested in taking part in the STEM field, then check out our website! Also, don’t be deterred if you are not part of STEM as NASA Internships has many non-STEM positions available. We even have some high school positions! Read more about Drina Shah, a former high school intern at NASA, who worked on artificial intelligence. 

NASA Intern Studies the Stars

Anna Taylor standing next to a poster called “The Effect of Wind Speed and Roche Lobe Geometrics on the Wind Dynamics of Vela X-1" from NC State University.

Anna Taylor standing next to a poster called “The Effect of Wind Speed and Roche Lobe Geometrics on the Wind Dynamics of Vela X-1″ from NC State University.Anna Taylor, a former NASA intern from the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, wanted to know as much as she could about the sky full of stars she saw every night. In the 9th grade, Taylor competed in her first Science Olympiad, a premier team STEM competition, and realized that physics and astronomy was her ultimate passion.

The Stars are Aligning

“I believe in NASA’s initiative, and I want to contribute to our understanding of the universe,” Taylor said.

Currently, Anna Taylor is a senior at North Carolina State University where she is majoring in Physics and double minoring in Mathematics and Computer Science.

During her internship, she worked on a project where she modeled photospheres and chromospheres. A photosphere is a star’s outer shell where the light is radiating while a chromosphere is a red and gaseous layer above the photosphere.

She worked with the Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Lab which studies the formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems using advanced telescopes and theoretical techniques.

By identifying statistical trends linking stars to emissions, she would determine factors for the stars in the samples that she is given. Given this project, she would further NASA’s mission by researching these stars and help everyone understand how the universe is made, what else is out there, and how we all fit in.

Internship Takeaway

Taylor is grateful to take part in the astrophysics and astronomy field and is proud to be a part of the young female representation in such a male-dominated area

“This internship not only means I get to do research in coding and astrophysics which are my passions but also gives me an opportunity to meet so many smart and interesting people and learn all about what they do at NASA,” Taylor said.

Take the next step in becoming a NASA intern like Anna and learn more about the opportunities NASA has. Additionally, feel free to find out more about other NASA interns, such as Shalya Wilhelm’s experience of learning how to create oxygen on the moon for astronauts using lunar soil!

Grace Pham/ NASA Johnson Space Center

Persistence is Key – Bianca Ortega

A former NASA intern at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, inside the NASA Center for Climate Simulation.
A former NASA intern at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, inside the NASA Center for Climate Simulation.

Commitment is the foundation of great accomplishments. With dreams to be a pilot, Bianca Ortega flew remote-controlled airplanes in the sky when she was younger. When high school came around, her dreams started to expand, and she instead started to program and send her work into space. It was her first physics class in high school that guided her to find a new purpose for a newer mindset. Ortega wanted her work to mean something and so her skills were put to the test.

Data Visualization and Machine Learning Involvement

“It is one thing to be great at something, but it is an entirely different thing to use that skill not for your own, but for the pursuit of knowledge.” Ortega said. Currently, Ortega is a Senior at Kean University in New Jersey. She is double majoring in Computational Science and Mathematics, and minoring in Applied Physics. Ortega is also a former NASA intern at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where she worked on a project titled “Applications of Data Visualization and Machine Learning to HPC Logs.” Her project took place at NASA’s Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS). The NCCS uses supercomputers, the main one being called “Discover,” which examined and used machine learning and different data visualization techniques through recorded performance .

Ortega’s experiment was made possible with the use of The ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana) Stack. The NCCS and NASA rely heavily on Discover to tackle some of their most challenging computational projects for the Science Mission Directorate to date. The purpose of her project was to find ways to correct user error behavior and detect —or ideally, predict system failures before they can happen. With that goal, this project would allow NASA scientists the best experience while using NASA’s NCCS Supercomputers.

Hard Work Pays Off

Ortega says that this internship is “a testament that hard work does pay off.” She hopes that everyone knows that their story is different from anyone else. Ortega came from a long line of Puerto Rican women, and she never really saw a lot of Women in STEM growing up, so she felt alone. “For any and all the young women out there, just know that you are not and will never be alone,” Ortega said.

If you are looking to write your own story, check out our website for opportunities regarding internships and more! You can also read other cool and empowering stories such as Rama Diop, a former intern that contributed to laser welding in

Grace Pham/ NASA Johnson Space Center

 

 

 

Intern Contributes to Laser Welding in Space Advancements

A technician performs welding on the KAMAG spacecraft transporter, inside a facility at the crawler yard at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Welding is being performed on the attach points that will hold the Orion transportation pallet in place (NASA/Ben Smegelsky).
A technician performs welding on the KAMAG spacecraft transporter, inside a facility at the crawler yard at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Welding is being performed on the attach points that will hold the Orion transportation pallet in place (NASA/Ben Smegelsky).

Trying out something can lead to a new passion. Rama Diop was encouraged by her chemistry teacher during her junior year of high school to apply for a welding engineering internship at Ohio State University. At the time, Diop wasn’t sure what welding engineering entailed, but she decided to apply anyway. During her internship, Diop did hands-on work including sample preparation, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and developed etching procedures. The internship she was once unfamiliar with led to her majoring in welding engineering at Ohio State University.

Welding Engineering Experiences

Diop went on to be involved with several research projects with applications to nuclear, biomedical, and automotive industries. In one project, she examined the correlation between fracture toughness and impact toughness of several grades of steel. She’s also studied the reduction of solidification cracking in aluminum alloys. Recently, she worked on a joint program with the biomedical engineering department to mimic aspects of the bone remodeling process.

Currently, Diop is an intern in the Metal Processes and Manufacturing Branch at the Marshall Space Flight Center supporting the Laser Welding in Space project. Welding in space allows for repairing, manufacturing, and assembling parts. Diop’s project aims to revisit and further the exploration of technologies in space, as an in-space welding experiment has not been conducted since 1973 on Skylab, the first United States space station.

“It means a lot to have been able to come here and participate in this internship. I have always wanted to come here and participate in this internship, so when the opportunity presented itself, I was ecstatic. I have been able to network with a lot of people and learn more about NASA’s mission,” Diop said.

Internship Takeaways

Diop says an internship with NASA is a great way to see what her role could look like in the welding engineering industry, and she is excited to apply the skills she’s gained in her previous research projects. This session, Diop hopes to explore different applications of welding, experience research on a larger scale, expand her coding ability, and branch into more computational modeling.

“I’m disappointed that my time here is coming to an end, but I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and am happy knowing that the work I have done will be used to help further the aims of this project,” Diop said.

If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience and valuable mentorship, check out our website for opportunities. Or continue reading inspiring stories such as Alex Suh, an intern researching the effects of spaceflight on the human body.

Carolina Rodriguez, STEM Engagement Communications Intern
Claire O’Shea, STEM Engagement Communications Intern, Editor
NASA Johnson Space Center

 

Get Involved with NASA Days

 

‘NASA Days is one of the coolest events I’ve seen that’s open to the general public,’ Marco Guidino, an intern at NASA, said. ‘They give students the opportunity to interact with scientists, discuss resumes, and network.’ NASA is supporting the dreams of students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities to enter careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (NASA HQ).
‘NASA Days is one of the coolest events I’ve seen that’s open to the general public,’ Marco Guidino, an intern at NASA, said. ‘They give students the opportunity to interact with scientists, discuss resumes, and network.’ NASA is supporting the dreams of students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities to enter careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (NASA HQ).

NASA Days, a Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) activity, was created to increase awareness and opportunity among students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The program is designed to give an overview of NASA’s OSTEM internship program, NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program (IEP), and NASA Fellows activities. 

What is NASA Days?

The activity consists of four sessions. The sessions cover steps detailing the Gateway and OSTEM internship application process, an overview of NASA organizations from their subject matter experts, interview skills, resume reviews, interview strategies, best practices, and collaboration efforts among researchers, professors, and scientists. 

During Marco Guidino’s NASA internship, he wanted to pass on knowledge and help students get connected, so he decided to help run a joint NASA Days event featuring Kennedy Space Center, Langley Research Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center. 

“NASA Days is one of the coolest events I’ve seen that’s open to the general public,” Guidino says. “They give students the opportunity to interact with scientists, discuss resumes, and network.” 

Retired NASA Employee Joann Morgan briefing students at Montana State University for NASA Days. Jose Nunez briefing students at Morehouse School of Medicine during NASA Days (NASA/Priscilla Moore).
Retired NASA Employee Joann Morgan briefing students at Montana State University for NASA Days. Jose Nunez briefing students at Morehouse School of Medicine during NASA Days (NASA/Priscilla Moore).

One thing Guidino has learned from his attendance at NASA Days events is to put yourself out there and ask specific questions for the role you are interested in. 

Networking

During the networking mixer portion of the event, NASA managers present an overview of their divisions to attendees. Following this presentation, students separate into small groups where managers rotate answering questions and engaging in conversation with the students.  

Resume Review

In the resume review session, managers divide students for interviews dependent on the project they would be best suited for or for a general interview. In this process, several students are usually selected or referred for internship opportunities. 

If attending a NASA Days event is something you are interested in, NASA Days will be supporting the in-person and virtual career fair at The Annual National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Week Conference.  

Additionally, Texas Southern University in Houston will be hosting the NASA Days and NASA HBCU Tech Infusion Road Tour which will also be a hybrid event. 

Want to intern with NASA? Check out our website for details on available opportunities. 

Carolina Rodriguez, STEM Engagement Communications Intern 
Claire O’Shea, STEM Engagement Communications Intern, Editor 
NASA Johnson Space Center