Career Day: There are Jobs Out There

The Space Foundation augmented National Space Symposium activities with a Career Day program aimed at Space Grant students, students from National Space Grant universities and transitioning military. Co-sponsored by National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, the event provided information on current and future career opportunities, internships, industry trends and upcoming workforce needs. See photos here.

The agenda featured three guest speakers:  

• Colorado Lt. Governor Joe Garcia (pictured), who spoke on the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)  education for robust space industry career fields
• Hayden Planetarium Director, Author and COSMOS Host Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, who told students to use school as an opportunity to train their minds how to think, saying that the space industry “thrives on people with the ability to reduce problems to their basic components.” He also advised students to “pick a job that you would do for free and you will never have an unhappy day.”
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory WISE Deputy Project Scientist Dr. Amy Mainzer, who encouraged participants to attract people to the math/science field, saying “Mentor people, especially young people. Share your love of science and engineering.”

During two “Meet the Companies” presentations, representatives from aerospace firms shared insights into the job market and strategies for landing positions. The speakers included: 

• Frank Backes, chief executive officer, Braxton Technologies 
• Ron Birk, director – business development, Northrop Grumman 
• Doug Dreyer, vice president – marketing & advanced programs, The SI Organization
• J.D. Evans, project manager, ARES Corp.
• Walt Everetts, executive director – satellite operations and SCS development, Iridium
• Bryant Garcia, senior recruiter, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
• Brendan Houlton, systems and consulting engineer, Analytical Graphics, Inc.
• Ron Ramos, vice president – exploration & missile defense systems, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
• Matthew Smith, vice president – engineering United Launch Alliance
• Toya Speckman, HR Business Partner/Diversity & Inclusion/Talent Acquisition, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
• Donald Wussler, director – program performance, TASC, United States Air Force 

A common theme was the availability of jobs, internships and tuition support for student who pursued relevant degrees, particularly in the STEM area.