Elisa Sandvik...

Do you want to work at NASA too? I grew up in a little log cabin in Pennsylvania and it seemed like a far off dream. But I studied hard in high school and ended up Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. I continued to work hard - learning about Biomedical Engineering and dreaming about NASA. Finally, I interviewed with the co-op program here at JSC and was offered a job! Who knew I would be so lucky? In 4 co-op tours, I've learned A LOT! It has been an amazing experience.

Co-op'ing sounds fun, doesn't it?
You have no idea until you try it!

There aren't words to describe how awesome it is to work with people from all over the country that share a passion for human spaceflight! We tour and sometimes work in astronaut training facilities like the NBL, shuttle simulators, and space station mockups. We visit labs where engineers are testing materials for reentry or tile repair, and where they store lunar samples from the Apollo missions. We also have lectures with the very best of NASA's people - from the past and present. Imagine hearing the Apollo 13 story from Mr. Gene Kranz, in person! I even met Buzz Aldrin!

NASA has a cool job for everyone!

Every semester, we rotate to a different group and to try a new job. After your first co-op tour, you pick where you want to go, so you can follow your own interests! I've tried both engineering and mission operations.

Engineering

I started in the Biomedical Systems Division, where I learned about countermeasures. I designed a component of the CFREU, a piece of exercise hardware that aquanauts used for testing on the NEEMO 6 mission. Other projects involved the crew healthcare system and medical equipment on the International Space Station. I learned all about the hardware that keeps our crews healthy and protected in the event of a medical emergency. I also analyzed biomechanical gait data and watched a data collection session for the crew of Expedition 9!

Then I worked with the Advanced Integration Matrix team doing systems engineering. I coordinated a study that examined what engineering challenges lunar and Martian dust present to human spaceflight. I worked with the real experts. I also did education outreach and taught students all about my team, how we fit into NASA, and how we were working to fulfill the Vision for Space Exploration.

Mission Operations

My third co-op rotation was with a group called EVA systems. The space shuttle Discovery returned to flight during my co-op tour. I learned about spacewalks in real time by watching it all from behind the scenes in Mission Control with my team. I watched spacesuit and airlock data, and listened to the EVA team work. I made a tool that my team used to track EVA hardware and transfers throughout the 3 EVAs. I also took hands-on classes with real spacesuits and spent time in the airlock mockup. I dived in the NBL to observe EVA training - that's something I'll never forget! Finally, I worked as "the EVA crew" during simulations.

My final co-op rotation is with a group called ECLSS. ECLSS flight controllers are responsible for maintaining the atmosphere, life support systems and responding to emergencies. They monitor a lot of hardware, like smoke detectors, pressure control sensors, and equipment that cleans and circulates air on the Space Station. I learned about flight control first-hand through basic training that flight controllers do before they are certified. I also observed real-time ops and simulations. I spent a lot of time learning about US equipment that removes CO2 from the atmosphere and updating it's Console Handbook.

Co-op'ing introduced me to several jobs, and I've decided that I want to be a flight controller.

NASA co-op's are lots of fun!!!

Co-op'ing is like college, minus the stress of homework, exams, and sports practice. Some of my best friends are from different schools all over the country, because I met them on co-op! I do things that I don't have time or money to do while I'm back at school. There's always something going on! I became a certified SCUBA diver on my first co-op tour. We explore Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. And since Houston is so close to the Gulf of Mexico, we spend a lot of time at the beach in Galveston!

Persistence pays off!

JSC doesn't recruit at my college, so I took action and called them myself to express interest. I applied to the co-op program and eventually landed a phone interview. Don't hesitate to apply! If you are turned down one semester and you're still eligible the next, reapply! Many opportunities have come my way because I was persistent in looking for and chasing them.

Delaying graduation can be smart!

As a co-op, you'll most likely delay graduation by a semester or more - I delayed a full year. At first, this may not sound like your cup of tea, but in reality, there are many benefits! Three or more co-op tours give you time to figure out where you want to start your career! You'll try out several jobs. Added bonus: a co-op experience frequently turns into a full-time job offer. And if you accept it, there's no anxiety about what the job will be like because you've already tried it out!

Questions?

Anyway, if you dream about NASA, you belong here, too! What are you waiting for? Go ahead and apply! And finally, if you get accepted and have to drive a long distance to Houston, I have a tip. Turn it into a road trip! An extra 300 miles to see Nashville is nothing when you have to move over 1700 in the first place! I've seen places that I would have never seen otherwise and I have enjoyed every mile! I'm always happy to answer email if you have questions about co-op'ing here or going to school at Rensselaer.