Got to experiment and learn more about axial flux electric motors and their usage in electric aircraft. Got to learn how to use an nScrypt 3Dn and Hyrel Hydra printer to print with silver conductive pastes.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Electrical Engineer
June - August 2018 • Greenbelt, MD
What I liked
Working with devote intellectuals who were passionate about their field, open communication structure, and the collaborative environment dedicated to projects that might not be taking place anywhere else in the world
What I wish was different
More access to tools and proprietary information
Advice
Spend your time during the day learning everything you can from the full-time NASA employees, ask well-thought-out questions with genuine curiosity, spend some extra hours on your research project at night to ensure good progress that is of interest to main team, be personable, bring fourth interesting ideas - support it with data, be creative, take initiative, be personable/connect with people
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Research Associate
May - August 2018 • Huntsville, AL
What I liked
I liked that I was able to demonstrate my skills to two microgravity solidification experiments that will be launched up to the International Space Station soon. I enjoyed doing research on solidification that worked with space casting and soldering to conduct more research in the behaviors of manufacturing with limited gravity. I also gained a lot of hands-on experience with the design, analysis, fabrication, and experimentation of the two projects I worked on.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more time to continue research and give NASA more data on one of the experiments. They were assembled and made, but the group and I had only three days to test solidification.
Advice
Never give up, no matter how many iterations that you have to go through. In the end, all the hard work pays off.
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NASA intern
May - August 2018 • Huntsville, AL
What I liked
Love the location and people in Huntsville and at NASA.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have had a more tech heavy internship.
Advice
If you get the chance to visit or live in Huntsville do it!
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Johnson Space Center Intern
June - August 2018 • Houston, TX
What I liked
I loved metting people from all over the world with similar interest and how much I learned during my experience with NASA. My internship inspired academic , personal and professional growth.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had more time off before going back to classes to ensure a smoother transition.
Advice
Communicate with your peers during challenging times because who never know who can relate to you.
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NASA GSFC Intern
June - August 2018 • Greenbelt, MD
What I liked
Very laid-back environment relative to the ground-breaking science that is being done every day. Everyone is doing something incredibly interesting and very open to talking about their work unless it happens to be sensitive information.
What I wish was different
Nothing. It was pretty much ideal for me.
Advice
Work hard but also do spend time getting to know your mentor's coworkers, friends, and other staff. You may be employed to participate in research of a project but you are there first and foremost for the learning experience, so go to colloquiums, presentations, and such. However, don't feel the need to also go to departmental meetings. They are mostly a formality thanks to government bureaucracy, so avoiding the non-mandatory ones would be in your best interest.
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Mechanical Design Intern
June - August 2018 • Greenbelt, MD
What I liked
Getting to work on a real project that will be going to space next spring, and getting to travel to Houston to work with astronauts
What I wish was different
Advice
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Web
June - August 2018 • Hampton, VA
What I liked
I had the freedom to learn and design websites for an actual real life database and website.
What I wish was different
I wish it was more hardware based.
Advice
Take advantage of your employer's resources, they often give you a lot of help with career finding and resume building for their specific organization.
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Microwave Instruments and Technology Branch Intern
May - August 2018 • Greenbelt, MD
What I liked
Very interesting project. Literally had to do with finding extraterrestrial life in our solar system. Also very flexible with project changes if you ask early enough. For example, I started in an embedded computing project but was able to move to a microwave instruments project. The people were also super great. The whole branch would get lunch with each other once per week, which is an indicator of a great company culture.
What I wish was different
Sometimes the day-to-day was isolating. Come in, pick up test equipment, run tests, and leave-- sometimes without talking to anyone except during lunch or passing in the hallway. The internship did not necessitate interpersonal interaction.
Advice
There are lots of great places to work, don't worry about finding the perfect one.
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Systems Engineering Intern
May - August 2018 • Fairmont, WV
What I liked
I worked at NASA on projects that had category one level importance. There wasn’t much I didn’t like. I felt valuable and I did good work. They never made me get coffee or do anything trivial unless they were doing it too and they always treated me with respect. I didn’t feel like an intern and that means a lot.
What I wish was different
It was in Fairmont, WV and there wasn’t much to do after work. Frankly, though, the work matters most and the work was satisfying. I also met some of the most exceptional people that exist and it was my privilege to work with them. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Don’t pick where you intern based on how good the nightlife is.
Advice
Apply to everything that looks fun and see where the cards fall. Talk to everyone you can. Ask for advice shamelessly and make a lot of friends. They’ll come in handy later.
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Shadow
July - August 2018 • Mountain View, CA
What I liked
My mentor was very kind to put me into many different group projects to learn different NASA involvements with other companies.
What I wish was different
Nothing at all. I enjoyed my time in Mountain View and at NASA.
Advice
Ask questions because you will hear a lot of acronyms that you have no idea what it stands for.
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NASA MIRO CAARE Technical Assistant
May - August 2018 • Huntsville, AL
What I liked
I loved the relationship I developed with the interns that worked for us as well has gaining incredibly helpful technical skills.
What I wish was different
I wish there would have been better communication between the two mentors.
Advice
Great opportunity for networking as well as getting to know professors in the ESS department.
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User Experience Designer Intern
May - August 2018 • Mountain View, CA
What I liked
I was working on an interface for controlling drone clusters in emergency response scenarios. The team I worked with was patient and helped me integrate into the team.
What I wish was different
I wish there was a bit more structure, I was the only intern & I often was getting involved with projects by being proactive.
Advice
Be patient with the process. Things tend to move a bit slowly at NASA due to many layers of approvals.
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Mechanical Engineer Intern
May - August 2018 • Edwards, CA
What I liked
I liked getting to work on something specific and applied. My project fit well with what I was hoping for in an internship. Working with other interns was a lot of fun as well. I liked getting to experience another side of the world. The people were just peachy.
What I wish was different
Advice
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The Office of Procurement Intern
July - August 2018 • Hampton, VA
What I liked
One thing that I really liked about this opportunity was a that I got to learn about the regulatory environment within which NASA operates, the acquisition process, the associated financial process, the roles and partnerships within the acquisition process, and the means by which NASA utilizes to purchase goods and services.
What I wish was different
I wish I got to spend more time there so I could have worked on a specific project of my own.
Advice
Ask questions! Asking questions shows that you are interested in what a person has to say and can lead to more potential opportunities.
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Engineering Intern
May 2018 • Cape Canaveral, FL
What I liked
It was a great way to get hands on engineering experience with cutting edge technology.
What I wish was different
I wish my intern rotations were longer.
Advice
Never hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure of something, it’s more reflective of your desire to learn and be there rather than your inexperience.
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Software design intern
May - August 2018 • Huntsville, AL
What I liked
Learning about Career options
What I wish was different
Could have been more diverse in tasks
Advice
Take the tours
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Researcher
June - August 2018 • Irvine, CA
What I liked
Flying on a NASA research aircraft and getting hands on experience collecting data
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Just apply and be willing to do things outside of your comfort zone
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Avionics Engineering Intern
January - August 2018 • Lyndon B Johnson Space Cen, TX
What I liked
I really enjoyed working in an interdisciplinary field with some of the brightest engineers, business persons and media specialists in the country. I seriously loved watching Apollo 13 in historic mission control and getting SCUBA certified with the dive operations manager for the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (where the astronauts train for Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA's)).
What I wish was different
I wish it weren't in Texas.
Advice
Don't leave it up to yourself to decide what you are good enough to do. Apply to things that you want to do and let the person interviewing you decide whether or not you are a good fit. Don't limit yourself!
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Heliophysics Intern
June 2018 • Greenbelt, MD
What I liked
I enjoyed the numerous opportunities I was given to attend events and seminars with other interns and civil servants.
What I wish was different
I wish there were cheaper on campus dining options.
Advice
When youre told this is a full time commitment, believe it! It takes time in and out of the office/lab.
