NASA offers programs for students at various educational levels, from high school to college and recent graduates. This blog explores the various NASA internships, what you can expect, and how these internships can help launch your career in the space industry.
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The NASA Internship Program is open to students in many fields. These include engineering, science, math, and even journalism. You can work at one of several NASA centers across the United States. As a NASA intern, you will work on real NASA projects. It’s also a great way to meet other people passionate about the space industry.
This might involve building spacecraft, analyzing data from space missions, or helping to plan new explorations. The projects you work on will depend on your skills and interests. These programs are from the Office of STEM Engagement, and they offer NASA high school internships as well as college internships. Choosing a project that matches your studies and career goals is important. Also, include a strong personal statement and letters of recommendation.
These NASA internships usually last from ten weeks to a few months. They can happen in the summer, fall, or spring. This allows you to choose a time that fits your school schedule. Working as a NASA intern is a chance to see what a career in space exploration is like.
The NASA Pathways Internship Program is special because it connects your studies with real NASA work. This program is for students who aim to work at NASA after graduating, so it’s part of the pipeline to full-time employment at NASA.
When you join the NASA Pathways Internship Program, you essentially become part of NASA’s workforce. You work on critical tasks that matter to ongoing space missions and research. It’s supposed to give a preview into daily at NASA.
To be part of this program, you must apply when NASA announces openings. These openings are for specific roles at different NASA centers. Your application should show how your studies and goals match the job.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) offers unique NASA internships. These are perfect if you’re interested in robots, planets, or exploring space. JPL is part of NASA and focuses specifically on robotic exploration of the solar system. These are some NASA internships that fall under this program:
This is for ambitious STEM students to gain hands-on experience at one of the world’s leading space research centers. It’s a robust, 10-week, full-time program designed to immerse undergraduates and graduates in projects that push the boundaries of space research, exploration, and scientific discovery. Participants will work alongside top scientists and engineers, contributing to actual NASA missions and groundbreaking research.
NASA offers part-time and full-time internships for STEM students, providing practical experience during the academic year and summer. These NASA interns work on specific projects with JPL scientists or engineers, contributing to missions while participating in enrichment activities like tours and lectures.
This program at JPL provides fellowship opportunities to promote diversity by involving underrepresented and underserved students, including women, first-generation college students, and those with disabilities, in STEM fields.
Fellows are paired with JPL mentors to work on specific projects, enhancing their educational experience and contributing to NASA and JPL missions. Additionally, fellows participate in enrichment activities such as tours, lectures, and career advisement organized by the JPL Education Office.
The NASA International Internship (NASA I²) Program prepares students to work on international space missions and in global teams. It offers internships throughout the year in three different sessions—spring, summer, and fall. Students who join this program will work closely with NASA experts, gain practical experience on real NASA projects, and participate in educational activities like tours and lectures. You can find more about these internships and how to apply by visiting NASA’s internship website.
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