NASA, also known as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is one of the largest and most famous space exploration programs in the world with more than 200 space missions and major contributions to the technological advancement we see today.

The NASA mission is to discover and explore the unknown depths of space as well as the neighboring planets, in an attempt to learn more from the cosmos. Scientists and employees at the company are a part of a well-organized and efficient process that enables them to perform in a more optimized and productive manner. The organization is famous for its state-of-the-art technologies which are developed with pinpoint precision in order to ensure success in their mission as well as preparation for unknown scenarios the mission might face during its venture into the vast galaxy.

Students aspire to become a part of this amazing and of its kind team and have a tough task ahead of them. They need to perform extremely well during their 12th and have to make sure that they not only secure good grades but have a good understanding of the task that is ahead of them.

Learn about NASA and its opportunities:

NASA is a huge organization with a diverse range of scientists and employees, who are inspiring the world with their amazing ideas and innovative research. Before aiming to become a part of this world-class team, students must understand the different branches of the organization and the different job and research opportunities is provides for scientists. It has employees who are medical doctors, researchers, engineering professionals, Computer science professionals, etc. Understanding this diversity could help in aligning your goals with the opportunity the organization offers its employees.

Identify your strengths, passion, and interests:

NASA does not require people with just good academic grades. It wants to hire individuals who are innovative and creative, and love to play to their strengths. The first thing to do is to identify such strengths. Are you good at Maths? Writing? Science? Whatever it might be, the thing students must understand is that a career at NASA is an intense and hard affair that can mostly come down to your motivation and passion for the job.

Your interests need to align with what the organization offers. Do you like Space Exploration? Engineering, or handling and working on cool new gadgets.

Try to list them down according to how you rate them and actively pursue the one you think will be more effective for you in your pursuit of a job at NASA.

Create a systematic career plan:

Having a goal and aimlessly pursuing it does not guarantee a position at one of the most prestigious organisations; you need to design and implement your academic and career plan in such a way that it complements your best abilities and increases your chances of being a part of something magnificent. An ambitious and hardworking approach is the only way to achieve success in your goal.

Analyze the Resume’ of NASA officials:

Analyzing the qualifications of different NASA officials from time to time can help you understand the level of average expertise you might be required to achieve, before applying for a position. Map out all the qualifications and experience you need to gain in order to enhance your chances and succeed.

Be an all-rounder:

Academics and experience aren’t the only two things that will help you in your mission. Having a grip on your extracurricular activities can help you be more physically and emotionally stable. This helps in handling stress better and gives you a confident personality.

Apply for the NASA Pathways Employment Program (IEP):

Study the NASA Pathways Program, which allows students and entry-level candidates to be a part of an amazing project and gain valuable experience, which may come in handy when applying for a full-time position later in their career.
Getting accepted into the program guarantees a fixed stipend, along with a vast range of learning opportunities that will help you become a more efficient and skillful professional.

Apply for the NASA Pathways Recent Graduates Program (RGP):

This program is specifically designed to facilitate graduates and allow them to get into the competitive market and be a part of something magnificent in the future. This program is a 1-year career development program that upon completion can turn into a permanent position depending on how successful your duration was with the faculty and staff.

Applying in places like NASA can often be very difficult, as there is a high demand online. Getting into the organization can change your life for the better and help you network with one of the best professionals in the world. So work hard and aim for the stars if you want to become a NASA professional for real!