Laura Sarmiento...

Hi y'all! If you are looking for info on becoming a co-op or just info about me you are at the right place! My name is Laura Sarmiento and I am now a senior at the University of Texas at Austin. (Hook 'em Horns!) My current major is neurobiology with a minor in psychology, just the whole brain picture. I am also pre-med, so I am studying hard for the MCATS April 06. I am from Katy, Texas a suburb of Houston but I live out here in Clear Lake to be close to work.

One thing that I get asked a lot about being a co-op is how did you get this position as a bio major? See, I have wanted to work for NASA and be an astronaut since I was four years old (I guess I just never grew up!) So, in my junior year of high school a great friend of mine told me about a great program Johnson Space Center offers, so I participated in Texas Aerospace Scholars, now called High School Aerospace Scholars- check it out it is an awesome program- and it opened the door for me to the world of NASA. That's where I was first introduced to Johnson Space Center and I loved every minute of it! We learned all about the co-op program while at TAS and I made sure to take notes on how to get there.

SO to become a co-op I applied to good colleges and ended up at the best one in Texas (ok ok I am a little biased), made good grades and got involved. An interview, a period of waiting and a phone call later I was in!

Most people think of NASA and they think engineering, and while there are a lot of engineers here there are many jobs for any type of major here. Take me, as a bio major I work in the Life Sciences Department at NASA. My first and second tour here was in the Human Adaptations and Countermeasures Office. I worked on some cardiology research and it was great for me to see how research works in the real world. My project involved working with new technology on electrocardiogram recordings and the implications it has on medical practices and evaluating astronauts before, during and after space flight.

For my third tour I am working in the Astrobiology labs, specifically Astromaterials working on techniques to analyze soil composition to search for different elements and life forms.

What else does NASA have to offer? Besides all the fun stuff you get to do as a co-op (Don't worry I will get to all this) there are many programs that students can get involved in. High School and Community College Aerospace Scholars is one, and the Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program is another. I participated in the summer 2004 and it was amazing! Being weightless and working on a project was so much fun and I would recommend this program to anyone!

Ok so what you really want to know is how is life as a co-op?? It's GREAT! You get to learn so much about the working world, and your field that you wouldn't be able to learn in a classroom. You actually get real assignments and aren't treated like a student. Your coworkers understand you might not know everything and they help you out. Also while here you get to do tours of the facilities (like the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, i.e. the big pool, and the shuttle and international space station mockups) and hear lectures from some important people (like astronauts and flight directors). The co-ops also have a lot of traditions, like lunch on site in building 11 and offsite lunches on Fridays and challenging the astronaut candidates to a game of softball or ultimate frisbee.

Well there is the business side, how bout the social life? As a co-op your social schedule is full! There is always something to do and to be a part of. We organize trips to other cities, like Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans for Mardi Gras! There are also groups that go do fun things like getting scuba certified and going skydiving! If you are into sports there are also several co-op teams, softball, basketball, and soccer and don't worry not to competitive they are always fun! The co-ops also just like to come together to party. Whether it's just a Friday night party or a Super bowl, theme party or beach party the co-ops know how to have fun!

So, all in all, if you are deciding on whether or not to become a co-op, do it! It's worth taking a little bit longer to graduate because it is such an amazing experience! Feel free to email me if you have any questions, or just want to learn more. All times I can be reached at laura.sarmiento@gmail.com or while I am working at laura.a.sarmiento1@jsc.nasa.gov Bye!!!