• Question: What would be a good way to get to work for NASA?

    Asked by samanthadevine to Sara on 22 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Sara Imari Walker

      Sara Imari Walker answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      So exciting! The best thing you can do is to get in early and see how you like it. NASA centers have a lot of opportunities for undergraduate students (and sometimes even high school students too) to spend a summer working with NASA scientists on site. My first experience working with NASA was as an undergraduate – I took part in a student project to try to get oxygen from Lunar soil. That was pretty exciting!!

      Here is one website with some info: http://usrp.usra.edu/ You might have to do some digging to find the right opportunity (particularly as an international student), but that is always the way. I just googled NASA undergrad research opportunities and picked the first that came up! There is a ton of stuff out there. I had to dig to find the fellowship I have now, but I applied for it and got it! Perseverance and hard work pay off! You might also check out similar programs that the ESA has. They are doing amazing things with their space program (Cassini for one!!!) and it sounds like an equally cool place to work =) If your dream is NASA, ESA is also a good springboard – they do lots of projects together.

      Good luck samantha!!

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