I really like the atmosphere at NASA Glenn Research Center. I was working in the Cognitive Communications branch, and my mentor and the other employees were all very hard working and also very open to explaining difficult concepts. My mentor was very good at explaining digital signal processing concepts and cognitive communications concepts, neither of which are easy to help someone understand. I liked the amount of responsibility I was given, which allowed me to have a role that mattered within the branch, and feel like I was really contributing. Also, my mentor was very trusting, and took my opinion seriously even on technical matters. Finally, I liked that I was able to take time to really grow skills as I did the work.
What I wish was different
Firstly, I wish that the internship could have been in person. Being a remote intern is really hard, and I think that NASA handles it alright, but it is not the same as being in person. Secondly, I wish that I had taken more of a active role in seeking out new ways of doing things in the beginning of the internship. They give you a lot of responsibility and it took me a little bit to realize just how free I am to innovate. I think that for many people, this freedom can be scary, but I loved it. Finally, I wish I could have prepared more before the internship, to hit the ground running when I started.
Advice
The people at NASA are very smart, hardworking and will give you a ton of responsibility. You do need to take the initiative to ask questions, most times they won't know you're confused about something until you ask, just because they live and breathe the work they do! But don't be scared to, they are very willing to help interns understand hard topic! My mentor basically taught me an intro in to detection and estimation theory! Finally, make sure that you take your time with the work! I think this goes for any job, but a job done well is so much better than a job done quickly!
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Aerospace Engineering Intern
June - August 2021 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
I enjoyed the people I worked with, and got to solve some interesting problems
What I wish was different
I wish it was not entirely remote
Advice
Take advantage of networking and educational opportunities offered to interns
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SCaN Intern
June - August 2019 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
The experience, work, and people. I was given the opportunity to learn and work with some of the smartest engineers in the world. I was given a project that challenged me, but allowed me to learn new skills, work better with a team, improve my problem-solving skills, and much more. I was given opportunities to attend special events, tour the facilities, talk to the SCaN project leads from NASA headquarters, attend conferences, hear about current projects at Glenn, write a technical paper, and make great connections. My intern experience was incredible and plan on applying again for next summer.
What I wish was different
I wish the internship would have started sooner so it could have lasted longer.
Advice
If you are interested in NASA then apply! Do not give up because you think you are not smart enough or that it will be too much work. You can do it! It may be challenging, but you will learn! Everyone at NASA wants you to succeed and are glad to help answer any questions you have. NASA has given me the opportunity to learn and complete a project that I never thought I would be smart enough to complete.
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Photovoltaics Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
I had the opportunity to work on exciting projects within the space industry. Of the three projects I was a part of, one would be flying in Earth's outer atmosphere, one would be landing on the Moon, and one would be launched into Jupiter's orbit. I loved feeling like I was making a contribution to NASA's future and it really inspired me to work hard every day.
What I wish was different
I wish interns were awarded higher relocation stipends for moving across the country.
Advice
Make an effort to talk to other people in your branch, not just your mentors! NASA employees have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they are willing to share if you just ask.
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Physics Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
The internship was a comprehensive opportunity in my field of physics that allowed me not only to work on a real project, but also to add to my network. Interns were encouraged to attend talks and research presentations by others at the center when they were not conducting in-lab research.
What I wish was different
I'd have loved to know about this internship my freshman year, since freshman, sophomores, and juniors (those students with more than one year left of school) were applicable for another program which would guarantee work with the research center upon satisfactory completion of the program.
Advice
Realize that you are on a deadline-these are real projects, with actual capabilities, and they are time sensitive.
Also though, have fun and take the invite to go hiking with the other interns.
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Optical Engineering Intern
June - August 2017 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
Really motivated employees that were always willing to help.
What I wish was different
The pay
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Literally anyone anywhere would be willing to help, or point you to someone who can help.
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System Safety Engineer
June - August 2018 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
Relaxed environment and met a lot of people
What I wish was different
More of a learning experience as opposed to busy work
Advice
Ask to learn things instead of working on stuff you already know
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Analyst
May - August 2018 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
I had the opportunity to work closely with application developers. This was really my first exposure to computer programming and it gave me a desire to learn more about it.
What I wish was different
The internship had a slow start. I wish I could've been given large projects from the start.
Advice
Always be busy. As soon as you finish one project look for more work and opportunities to help the people around you.
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3D Spaceship Modeler
June - August 2018 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
I really liked the amount of opportunity that I was given to network and meet with other fellow Interns. I really liked that I was able to have my own office space, computer, and also that I was able to get payed. I never really got to enjoy any of those things in any stage of my life. During my time at NASA Glenn I had an absolute blast; pun intended. During my time there I re-designed conceptual models for the COMPASS Lab in Solidworks. The COMPASS Lab is responsible for a lot of the radical concept designs like FETCH. FETCH was the design that is planned to be used to completely capture an asteroid for scientific study. After I redesigned the model I would them Slice an STL file of the design using CURA. I then 3D printed it using the Lulzbot Taz 6. I did this for 15 other designs this summer while at NASA Glenn but now I continue to re-design and 3D print part time from my apartment and the COMPASS Lab purchases them via PAYPAL.
What I wish was different
There is not much that I wish was different.
Advice
Working in NASA's Engineering field as an Intern gives you a lot of freedom, not just for my position but for most Engineering positions. As an Intern you are given a quite broad idea of what is expected of you. An Internship at NASA Glenn Research Center will only be what you make it to be. If you aren't creative, intuitive, and take initiative; you may get nothing done at all and just collect your stipend checks. I would highly advise to not do that. You can do as much work there as you would like. Going above and beyond will get you recognized, even if you do not meet your goals. Being genuinely nice and kind to the people that work there will go a long way. From just networking through my mentor I was able to become a solicitor or NASA while I am away for college at The University of Akron. When I go home I will be back there working in the winter, spring, and summer. When working at your Internship, ANY Internship, make sure to network and build up your connections. These connections are what will set you up for life - Financially, Socially, and Emotionally.
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Systems engineering intern
May 2017 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
The people at Glenn were really welcoming, I feel like they were really invested in making me feel at home and giving me challenging assignments I could be successful at.
What I wish was different
Nothing!
Advice
Just be willing to learn and not afraid to ask questions. They don’t expect you to know everything.
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Student Trainee (Information Technology)
May 2017 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
There is a very strong support structure for intern here, I never felt like I couldn't ask my mentor/supervisor whatever questions I had. There is also an intern run group on site that coordinates tours of the other NASA centers, on top of intern outings around the city. I didn't meet a single person I didn't like, they do a really good job of making sure you're a good culture fit. You're also encouraged to talk with people in different areas of the center to learn about/participate in a variety of projects.
What I wish was different
I wasn't too crazy about the work they had me doing, it seemed like busy work for the first couple weeks I was there. Part of this was because I was waiting on my clearance, but I mentioned this to my supervisor and they hooked me up with people in different areas of the building and I worked on a variety of projects.
Advice
Unfortunately, NASA doesn't give any housing or housing stipend. They do give some suggestions on where to look for housing, but you should start doing research early.
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Aerospace Engineering Intern
June - August 2018 • Cleveland, OH
What I liked
Getting the experience of working in an intense research environment working on multiple projects and assignments simultaneously.
