AstronomyOnline.org
home observation science solar system stars our galaxy cosmology astrobiology exoplanets astrophotography

How to Get a Job at NASA After College

For many decades, NASA has been on the top of space exploration and scientific discovery. It is truly one of the most advanced and progressive space agencies in the whole world. Latest and expensive technology, innovative research approach, and just the thought of doing something in space – all of it has captured the imaginations of people all around the world. It's no wonder that many students want to work at NASA and do their bit for space exploration.

However, landing a job at a top-tier space agency may be challenging. Here, we will look at 5 steps that you can take to increase your chances of getting a job at NASA. And ultimately, make your contribution to the fascinating world of space exploration!

Good grades only
Well, we know that school grades are not always the real indicator of our knowledge. But getting a job at NASA is a very competitive process. There are tons of people like you wanting to work for the agency. Just imagine how many people HR needs to interview every day. And how can you stand out from other applicants if you're just a student, without any real working experience? Correct, your good grades will speak for you.

If your academic record leaves much to be desired, a help me essaypro with my math homework may be the solution for you. Instead of writing boring essays on literature or history, you'll be able to focus on something more important, like mathematics and engineering. After all, STEM is more important than HASS if you want to work at a space agency.

Internships and co-op programs
NASA often offers internships for students regardless of what they're majoring in. Of course, engineering, physics, or computer science are always a priority. But NASA needs interns in business, law, and communications as well. Before applying at intern.nasa.gov, make sure you meet the requirements:

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA (scale of 4.0)
  • Full-time student
  • 16 years of age at the time of application
If you're a non-citizen of the U.S., NASA does have programs for international students, check out "NASA Intern and Fellow Opportunities for International Students". Overall, an internship at NASA is a very valuable experience. The networking opportunities you may get as an intern can help you a lot with getting a job there after graduation.

Gain experience and create a good resume
Many have completed one or more internships before joining NASA. You can check with your school's career center to find out about internship opportunities available for you. Or do it online – NASA is pretty active online, so you may find out about an internship even from their Twitter. If you can't complete an internship, you can still get professional experience by taking up part-time jobs, preferably in a related field.

Relevant work experience makes your resume stand out among others. Moreover, this way you'll develop practical skills that will be useful during a NASA internship in the future. If you can't take up part-time jobs, you are free to participate in research or volunteer projects. Whether it is through your academic institution or on your own, these projects can also add value to your resume.

The Pathways Programs
NASA's Pathways Program is an opportunity to secure permanent employment at the agency within 120 days of completing your degree. That is one of the features of the Pathways Program – ordinary seasonal internships won't make you permanently employed at the agency. The program is paid and lasts for multiple semesters. For recent graduates or those who will soon be graduating, NASA has the Pathways Recent Graduate Program (RGP). As we already know, it offers career development at an early stage, which is cool for a graduate.

Be aware that the Pathways Intern Program requires a minimum of three semesters of internship, so you should plan it in advance. In general, it's advisable to know the peculiarities of any internship program you're applying for. This way you'll be well-prepared for the internship and make reasoned decisions about your future career at NASA.

Learn more about the agency
Before applying for a job at NASA, ensure that you have a clear understanding of its specific functions. It's good to know what functions each NASA center performs and what's the general idea of the organizational structure. For example, NASA Johnson is home to the Astronaut Corps, that's the place where astronauts train, and the Mission Control Center is located. Such knowledge can be beneficial when you make a job application, prepare for an interview or simply communicate with people in the field.

It is also important to have a general understanding of the internship program you are applying for and how it fits into your graduation plan. Luckily, you have the best research paper writing services that save your time and make life easier. Spend your time planning the internship and learning stuff about NASA instead of writing boring papers. Let the professionals do it for you!

Conclusion
Getting a job at a space agency like NASA straight off college may be challenging and hard. But it's still possible even without significant work experience. Hopefully, these 5 basic and simple steps will help you with that.

Back to Top

Search | Site Map | Appendix
©2004 - 2024 Astronomy Online. All rights reserved. Contact Us. Legal. Creative Commons License
The works within is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.