Flexible schedule, focus on building skills to use later in my career once I leave LASP
What I wish was different
First project had a difficult client, but that's not the job's fault
Advice
Communicate with your coworkers and boss
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Flight Dynamics Systems Engineer
May 2020 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Gained enormous amounts of experience and independence in my work, which significantly aided me as we came into the Fall 2020 semester, where working with my peers became more difficult than ever before.
What I wish was different
You know... COVID. I think I missed a lot of the in person interaction and network building that could have otherwise occurred.
Advice
Go in, make mistakes, keep trying. It will be rough, but you'll learn a lot. In my experience, that's exactly what LASP encourages.
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student software engineer
May 2020 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I liked how heavily they invested in our training and development as new engineers. For the first 3 or months or so, we had a professional software engineer assigned full time to our training program. He gave fantastic insight and reviewed our code with us 1-on-1 throughout the summer. At the end of the summer we had a final training project where the training wheels came off and we were able to design our own solution.
What I wish was different
Like many people, I wish I could have had the opportunity to work in person at LASP over the summer.
Advice
Be sure to collaborate with your other trainees and get to know them as well as you can. Chances are you will work with some of them down the line. Also, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, pick your trainer's brain and even do a little bit of research after hours. You will get out of training what you put in, so I really suggest giving it your all.
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Command Controller
May 2020 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Really interesting learning about what is involved in the operation of spacecraft!
What I wish was different
Due to COVID, training was remote— it would have been nice to train in person but this unfortunately was not the case this year.
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
March 2020 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I enjoyed how much real world experience I gained. I was able to get right into designing and producing hardware that would directly assist with the overall instrument.
What I wish was different
I wish it had been in person, unfortunately COVID happened.
Advice
Be ready to learn and ask plenty of questions!
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Student Software Engineer
May 2020 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I've been able to work on actual space missions, my code is actually being used in production. The work environment is also really welcoming, if a bit weird since I've been 100% remote due to the pandemic.
What I wish was different
I wish I could work in person.
Advice
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Software Engineer Intern
February 2019 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Flexible Schedule. Very interesting projects to work on.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Aerospace Engineering Intern
June 2017 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I enjoyed all the hands on work I was able to do, including being in the clean room and working on the spacecraft.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have had fewer hours as it was a very busy summer.
Advice
If you find a job you love, you will naturally work harder and have a more positive experience.
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Engineer
April 2019 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I got to choose my own work schedule and had flexible hours. I also got to learn a bunch about automation
What I wish was different
I wish people had been a bit more accessible. I.e. I would ask something on my group's slack and wouldn't get a response for a few hours or just wouldn't get one.
Advice
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Undergraduate Researcher
May 2019 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I loved my boss and research in general
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
It’s ok if you feel under qualified many people do, just do your best.
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Undergrad Research Assistant
February 2018 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
As an undergraduate research assistant, I got to do real atmospheric research of Mars with an active NASA mission, the Martian Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution probe (MAVEN). It has been a rewarding experience working with scientists in the lab, learning about and doing data analysis and research, making posters and presenting my projects. There are even more opportunities to travel to present my work, and possibilities of getting my work published.
What I wish was different
It isn't necessary to stay with the same research project once you have a job. If another project catches your interest that you'd be more excited working on, go for it!
Advice
Try to get a research position in something you are excited about, but any experience in research you can get will be valuable. Do your best, learn the relevant skills to do it well, and use this experience to decide if this is what you want to do after graduating.
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Software Developer
March 2019 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Learned more in this position aout computer science than I have in my full college career
What I wish was different
I wish I had a larger team to work with me on my specific project.
Advice
I am working with machine learning, something I had 0 experience with coming into this position. Just because you don't meet all the qualifications doesn't mean you shouldn't try!
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Mechanical Engineering Student Apprentice
May 2019 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
I really liked the fact that I got a lot of autonomy on my project. I basically had and still have my own project that I've been working on the entire time from design to using the actual finished fixture. I also learned a lot about what preferences I have for any future mechanical engineering positions.
What I wish was different
I wish I had a bit more guidance in the start since this was my first job in industry/research and while I had a lot of the technical skills, I definitely lacked the professional skills. So I was able to do my job effectively, but it would have been much smoother had I had some of the professional skills as well.
Advice
The main piece of advise that I would share is not to be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone or what you think you want to end up doing. Having a research position or internship of any kind will absolutely teach you a lot technically, professionally, and often help to guide you towards where you actually want to end up in your career.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May 2018 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Love the work and the project, lots of freedom, attended and presented at multiple conferences, lots of travel, great advisor and group members
What I wish was different
Less restrictions on number of hours you're allowed to work
Advice
Research requires you to be highly independent and motivated! It's an incredible experience but is definitely a LOT of work!
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Temporary Aide
June 2019 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
LASP is a fantastic environment for both its long term employees and students who come to work there. My supervisor and the scientists/programmers I worked with were all very focused on helping me get as many different and applicable experiences as possible while I am/was here. If you need help it is easy to find someone to help you who is willing to teach you and expand your skills. I walked in on day one without direct experience in any of the tools I was using and was quickly brought up to speed and provided with the tools I needed. I was very nice to know that the work I was doing was being used by others in the scientific community and that I was making useful contributions.
What I wish was different
Not really anything.
Advice
Don't be afraid to meet new people and find resources in a new workplace, chances are you can also provide some knowledge to those you will work with.
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Scientific Programmer
August 2017 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Flexible schedule
Gained excellent programming skills
Worked directly with satellite data
What I wish was different
Advice
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Undergraduate Researcher
May 2018 • Boulder, CO
What I liked
Everything! Working on real science with world-famous scientists is an invaluable experience. Working as part of a team of students and professionals to create new knowledge and understanding about really interesting planetary science topics. Making connections with professors in the department.
What I wish was different
I'd like to have been able to work more! :)
Advice
It's never too early to start! I began my research after only a year at CU and feeling like I knew nothing, but a great advisor understands this and will work with you. Don't wait until you feel "ready"!
