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How difficult is it to get a job at NASA?
To anyone working at NASA or another space program, how difficult was it to get that job? Did you need perfect grades in everything to get into a good college for it?
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Ram’s Answer
Hello Megan:
Nothing is too difficult for someone who is determined to accomplish a goal as long a sit is realistic, and necessary and sufficient effort is made.
There is no such thing as a "perfect grade". Put all your focus on your efforts, and do not worry about outcome[s]. As long as your effort is sincere, no one will be able to stop you from succeeding. The knowledge and skills you will need to find a way into NASA or any other organization is directly dependent on how much sincere effort you put into it.
Attend classes focused on science subjects without neglecting the minor studies. Take the exam questions not by memorizing text books, but by understanding the subject matter.
Most importantly always be with a clear conscience so you get clean, wholesome sleep every night.
Good luck!
Nothing is too difficult for someone who is determined to accomplish a goal as long a sit is realistic, and necessary and sufficient effort is made.
There is no such thing as a "perfect grade". Put all your focus on your efforts, and do not worry about outcome[s]. As long as your effort is sincere, no one will be able to stop you from succeeding. The knowledge and skills you will need to find a way into NASA or any other organization is directly dependent on how much sincere effort you put into it.
Attend classes focused on science subjects without neglecting the minor studies. Take the exam questions not by memorizing text books, but by understanding the subject matter.
Most importantly always be with a clear conscience so you get clean, wholesome sleep every night.
Good luck!
Updated
Kris’s Answer
People that I know that wanted to work at NASA, decided to enter the US Air Force first. That is one option.
It is good to have goals and work toward achieving those goals. Never sell yourself short. Your current goal is to work at NASA. Why is that? Do you know exactly what you would like to do at NASA? Do you know where you might be based to work? Have you looked at their website, or scheduled a tour?
Do you want to work at NASA specifically, or do you want to work in the Space industry? You can pursue various degrees, such as astronomy, astrophysics, mathematics, engineering...
There are many good schools (colleges and universities). Most schools already have relationships with several companies that hire from them. When you are selecting your school, see which schools NASA has relationships with.
It is good to have goals and work toward achieving those goals. Never sell yourself short. Your current goal is to work at NASA. Why is that? Do you know exactly what you would like to do at NASA? Do you know where you might be based to work? Have you looked at their website, or scheduled a tour?
Do you want to work at NASA specifically, or do you want to work in the Space industry? You can pursue various degrees, such as astronomy, astrophysics, mathematics, engineering...
There are many good schools (colleges and universities). Most schools already have relationships with several companies that hire from them. When you are selecting your school, see which schools NASA has relationships with.
Charles M Hurd
Aspiring adviser to STEM teens. Explains clearly, exhorts best practices. Raspberry Pi zealot.
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Charles M’s Answer
I have not worked at NASA, but I have worked at various aerospace and defense-related companies such as Orbital Sciences (now part of Northrup Grumman) and L3Harris (which just purchased Aerojet Rockedyne), and I have looked for a job a fair number of times, so I know a little about how finding a job works.
A "job" is basically when a someone who controls the money needs someone to solve a set of problems. They want to hire a person to be responsible for making sure those problems get solved, or remain solved. So you need to be the person who can solve those problems, and communicate it to the person who is wanting to hire someone.
First, you need to know about yourself. What kind of problems can you solve? Your degree in school will determine the kinds of problems you are qualified to solve, but you need to be able to show that you have already solved problems. And you need to be able to communicate that to others effectively. Keep written records of what your do in a portfolio that you can draw from.
Second you need to know what kinds of problems are out there to be solved. That means learning about the industry and the companies in the industry and the kinds of things they are getting paid to do. Aerojet Rockedyne gets paid to build rocket engines . There is a whole bunch of problems involved in that. They range from designing a more efficient product that performs better than existing products, or does something that no product currently does, to making sure that the production people get their questions answered so they can continue producing it. Quality assurance professional make sure that the customer can rely on the product to do the job it was intended to do.
What kinds of problems does NASA, or any organization that you want to work for, solve? What do they get funding for? Are those the kinds of problems you want to be solving?
Another question is, do you really want to work there, will it be a good environment for you? Will they treat you with respect? Will the environment be oppressive? Will you enjoying being yourself with the people you work with?
Next, you need to find out who has the problem and communicate to them that you are the one they need to hire. yes, you can look at the job listings that are posted on the web site, but the reason they are posted on the website is because in the three steps before that, they have not found the right person.
What happens is, the hiring manager realizes they are going to have to hire someone. So they say, "Who do I know that can do the job?"
They probably don't know anyone, or if they do, the person already have a job and does not want to change right now. So they post the opening on the internal job board. It's a lot easier and cheaper to transfer a person within the company than it is to hire some outside. Finally, if they can't find the right person, they will post the job opening outside. They could do that by putting it on the web site, or just hiring a company to take care of that for them.
So you need to get to know people inside the company you want to work for, and keep up with what their needs are, because if you can be considered for the job before they post it on the external job board, you have a better chance of being hired for the job. That also means, you need to communicate to the people that you know in those companies, what kinds of problems you can solve (that other people are currently solving).
The resume is one way you communicate what kinds of problems you can solve and what kinds of problems you have solved. Informational interviews are another way. Not only do you ask the question, but you can tell them what you can do. You need to be able to verbally communicate each one of your points in one minute. You won't be able to list all the things you can do and have done, so you need to have the ability to do it for each one. Practice saying those out loud to yourself.
Describe the Situation, what Action you took, what the Result was (use numbers if possible) and how that particular experience Applies to their situation. SARA, Situation, Action, Result, Applicability.
Finally, you need to be able to have the basic job skills that every employer expects from their employees. Efficient use of time, honesty, problem solving, resourcefulness, communication with others, getting along with others who are different or hard to get a long with, (emotional intelligence), remaining calm under pressure.
There is a whole lot more about making it easier for you to get a job at whatever company that you will need to research yourself and practice till you get good at them.
To summarize, it's much easier to get a job for which you are will qualified for, and where you are confident that you can be effective at working there, solving their problems.
Get to know your self, strengths and weaknesses. Take online assessments like World of Work Inventory, or Youscience.
Develop a portfolio of the successes you are obtaining. Practice explaining them to others quickly.
Research your favored industries and the different industries where your qualifications will enable you to work. Also research how it is working for various companies. Glassdoor is one pace.
Network with others. LinkedIn is a good place to start.
Make a plan to develop basic job skills such as problem solving, performing under pressure, keeping relatioinships good, and get better at those skills..
A "job" is basically when a someone who controls the money needs someone to solve a set of problems. They want to hire a person to be responsible for making sure those problems get solved, or remain solved. So you need to be the person who can solve those problems, and communicate it to the person who is wanting to hire someone.
First, you need to know about yourself. What kind of problems can you solve? Your degree in school will determine the kinds of problems you are qualified to solve, but you need to be able to show that you have already solved problems. And you need to be able to communicate that to others effectively. Keep written records of what your do in a portfolio that you can draw from.
Second you need to know what kinds of problems are out there to be solved. That means learning about the industry and the companies in the industry and the kinds of things they are getting paid to do. Aerojet Rockedyne gets paid to build rocket engines . There is a whole bunch of problems involved in that. They range from designing a more efficient product that performs better than existing products, or does something that no product currently does, to making sure that the production people get their questions answered so they can continue producing it. Quality assurance professional make sure that the customer can rely on the product to do the job it was intended to do.
What kinds of problems does NASA, or any organization that you want to work for, solve? What do they get funding for? Are those the kinds of problems you want to be solving?
Another question is, do you really want to work there, will it be a good environment for you? Will they treat you with respect? Will the environment be oppressive? Will you enjoying being yourself with the people you work with?
Next, you need to find out who has the problem and communicate to them that you are the one they need to hire. yes, you can look at the job listings that are posted on the web site, but the reason they are posted on the website is because in the three steps before that, they have not found the right person.
What happens is, the hiring manager realizes they are going to have to hire someone. So they say, "Who do I know that can do the job?"
They probably don't know anyone, or if they do, the person already have a job and does not want to change right now. So they post the opening on the internal job board. It's a lot easier and cheaper to transfer a person within the company than it is to hire some outside. Finally, if they can't find the right person, they will post the job opening outside. They could do that by putting it on the web site, or just hiring a company to take care of that for them.
So you need to get to know people inside the company you want to work for, and keep up with what their needs are, because if you can be considered for the job before they post it on the external job board, you have a better chance of being hired for the job. That also means, you need to communicate to the people that you know in those companies, what kinds of problems you can solve (that other people are currently solving).
The resume is one way you communicate what kinds of problems you can solve and what kinds of problems you have solved. Informational interviews are another way. Not only do you ask the question, but you can tell them what you can do. You need to be able to verbally communicate each one of your points in one minute. You won't be able to list all the things you can do and have done, so you need to have the ability to do it for each one. Practice saying those out loud to yourself.
Describe the Situation, what Action you took, what the Result was (use numbers if possible) and how that particular experience Applies to their situation. SARA, Situation, Action, Result, Applicability.
Finally, you need to be able to have the basic job skills that every employer expects from their employees. Efficient use of time, honesty, problem solving, resourcefulness, communication with others, getting along with others who are different or hard to get a long with, (emotional intelligence), remaining calm under pressure.
There is a whole lot more about making it easier for you to get a job at whatever company that you will need to research yourself and practice till you get good at them.
To summarize, it's much easier to get a job for which you are will qualified for, and where you are confident that you can be effective at working there, solving their problems.
Charles M recommends the following next steps: