STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-inspired students who saw the film Hidden Figures starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration mathematician whose accurate calculation work on flight trajectories helped send America?s astronauts into space); Janelle Monae as Mary Jackson (NASA engineer); and Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan (NASA supervisor) and are inclined to become the next Johnson, Vaughan or Jackson could potentially do so thanks to NASA?s Internships, Fellowships and Scholarship (NIFS) program which will livestream a Virtual Career Summit next week to offer information about obtaining access to NASA.
The Summit, which will take place on May 24 at 1p.m., will serve students interested in career development opportunities at the space agency by showcasing its programs as well as highlighting NASA centers and its missions.
?We?re doing this to engage with students; talk about the benefits of working with NASA; and help walk students through the internship process and tell them about them that there are other opportunities at NASA other than STEM such as business or communications,? Delores Gee, Communications Strategist for NASA?s Internships, Fellowships and Scholarships program, told TNJ.com.
Currently, there are close to one thousand internships available for the summer session at any one of the nation?s 10 NASA centers from coast to coast, which include centers in Ohio, Maryland, the headquarters in Washington, D.C., Florida, Texas, California and Alabama. Gee, who works out of NASA?s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, says her department is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year.
During the virtual event, which will be a question and answer format, students will learn about the opportunities that are currently available, as well as the eligibility requirements, tips for the application process and hear from previous interns and awardees. Those who have access to the Internet can engage and be a part of the Summit by going to a URL provided by NASA.
And the opportunities extend to high school, undergraduate and graduate school students. ?At the moment, there are no scholarships available, but anyone who is eligible, 16 years of age or older, can apply to be an intern. There are internship slots for both high school and college students, while the fellowships are reserved for graduate school students. The fellows would not necessarily come to the office and work under the guidance of a professional. They would submit an application to say what kind of work they want to study, and a panel would look at the submissions and see what kind of work would help NASA?s mission,? shares Gee.
To attend the virtual summit, go to NASA?s website for registration information.
