NASA à la mode by Nathan Calvert...
I have always wanted to work for NASA. If you're reading this, I imagine that you're the same way. I was born and raised in Colorado next to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. While growing up I quickly discovered that skiing and math were my favorite activities. I remember watching Shuttle launches on T.V. when I was young and wishing that I was one of the lucky few headed to space.
The recipe
I worked hard in high school and was prepared to attend Columbia University in New York to study Electrical Engineering. However, my plans unexpectedly changed and I ended up living in France for two years after graduation. When I returned to the U.S. I still wasn't sure which college was right for me. After much debate I finally decided to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder to take advantage of the mountains, the in-state tuition and the world-renowned Aerospace Engineering program.
Mixing the ingredients
While many of my friends weren't able to decide on a major until their junior year, I knew from the beginning that Aerospace Engineering was perfect for me. I will admit that the courses are extremely difficult, the labs are long and tedious, and the professors tend to be demanding. But despite the stressful days and sleepless nights I excelled and enjoyed the challenge.
Putting it in the oven
One afternoon last spring I received an e-mail about a job fair on campus. I decided at the last minute to throw on a suit and tie, print out a few resumes and try my luck. I first spoke with a representative from Ball Aerospace first who took a quick glance at my resume and dismissed me with the comment that they usually only consider seniors for internships. I walked away somewhat disappointed and wondered around for awhile until I came nearly to the end of the loop.
All of the sudden I noticed a sign promoting NASA - Johnson Space Center. NASA!
Without hesitation I walked right up to Anne Roemer, the co-op program manager,
and began explaining the research and extracurricular programs in which I was
involved as part of my interest in space exploration. I received a call that
evening asking for an interview and was notified a few months later that I was
selected to become a NASA co-op.
Serve with ice cream
My first tour I was assigned to the International Operations Branch of the Mission Operations Directorate to work on the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) with the European Space Agency (ESA). Some of my tasks included writing and editing the training manual sections for the thermal control system and data handling group, generating technical schematics of various thermal and command and data handling systems, producing a comprehensive timeline of the ATV mission from launch to docking with the International Space Station (ISS), and being trained as a flight controller and Russian Segment Specialist. One of the most exciting aspects of my job is being able to work in the Mission Control Center.
Don't forget to lick your fingers.
But work is only half the fun! As a co-op there's never a dull moment. I have attended lectures from people such as John Young who walked on the moon and Gene Kranz, the lead flight director for the first lunar landing mission Apollo 11 and the infamous Apollo 13. More importantly, however, I've made a lot of new friends. Houston is a great city, although a lot more humid than what I'm used to in Colorado.
If your dream is the same as mine, don't wait another second. Someone wise once said that your odds tend to go up if you apply.
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