NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the US government agency specializing in the United States' aeronautics, aerospace, and space program. NASA's vision statement is: "To reach new heights and reveal the unknown, so that everything we do and learn benefits all of humanity." A career at NASA can be exciting, creative and important, but it can also be demanding and competitive, and there are many ways to get there. If your dream is to work there, we have some useful advice on how to plan your career path, as well as some practical tips on how to apply.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Studying hard
Step 1. Find out about the different opportunities that exist
When thinking about NASA, the first thing that comes to our mind is astronauts. However, if the space is not that attractive to you, try to find a rewarding career. Some of the professionals hired are:
- Doctors, nurses and mental health professionals.
- Researchers, engineers, geologists, microbiologists and physicists.
- Writers, human resources specialists and communication professionals.
- Programmers and IT experts.
Step 2. Identify your academic talents
If you want to get down the road towards a career at NASA, you should identify your skills as soon as possible, as this will help you get an idea of the best position for you. Think about:
What subjects do you excel at in school? For example, if everyone wants to be your lab partner in physics class, consider a future career in Applied Physics
Step 3. Identify your passions and interests
Even if you're really good at something – like math or chemistry – a career at NASA will be intense, as will the path of study that must be followed for qualification. Choose something that is your passion and that you excel at.
Step 4. Plan the studies
Once you have decided which career you want to pursue, plan which courses you will take, both at high school and at university. Meet with your academic advisor regularly to make sure you've chosen the right courses, and in the right amount.
- If you want to be an astronaut, engineer or scientist, in particular, it would be better if you chose an educational path based on the STEM (acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math) areas.
- Check as soon as possible if your dream of working at NASA will require a doctorate or master's degree. This can affect where you study or which degree courses you choose.
Step 5. Study hard
Inside NASA, the “Study hard” answer – when asked how to get there – is considered a joke, but it's actually the real answer.
You will need to commit to studies; in addition to obtaining the necessary grades, you should also become an expert in your chosen subject
Step 6. Choose the right school
If you're still in high school, you're doing the right thing by planning your path to NASA in advance. Carefully research colleges and universities that have strong STEM programs, and choose the best one you can.
Step 7. Search NASA employee resumes
One of the best ways to know how to get where you want to go is to see how others have done it. Browse the NASA website to read biographies of some successful employees.
Pay attention to undergraduate and graduate locations, whether there is mention of scholarships or internships, etc
Step 8. Check if you can follow a similar path
Are these schools you can be admitted to? If you are already in college but are concerned that your academic curriculum is not strong or respected enough, it is possible to transfer to another institution in your last year or two years of the course.
Step 9. Study in general
Even if you want to focus on the STEM areas, don't completely forget about the humanities. For example, studying philosophy, history or ethics can be beneficial.
You will learn to read and examine complicated texts, sharpen logical reasoning and critical thinking skills, and think deeply about important moral issues. All of this will be valuable in your future career at NASA
Step 10. Become versatile
Prioritize complete personal development: this means that you must both expand your knowledge and take care of your body and work towards the development of your social and leadership skills. However, it's also important that you find ways to relax and have fun.
Find additional time for extracurricular activities that will help you achieve your goals. For example, you can join the science club, math club, debate team, run for the academic center, play on the volleyball team, play in the school band, etc
Method 2 of 3: Identifying the Various Paths to NASA
Step 1. Meet the NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program - IEP
NASA offers a program (Pathways Program) that offers three different ways to start a career. The NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program is aimed at students or individuals who have been accepted into a qualifying educational program.
If you are accepted into the program, you will find paid work, learn the necessary skills, and gain relevant experience and connections to pursue a career at NASA
Step 2. Look for internships available from the Pathway Program
You can either browse the NASA website or the USAJOBS to check out all currently available opportunities, including IEP positions. You can also register with USAJOBS to receive notifications from Pathway.
Step 3. Check if you fulfill the necessary requirements to be accepted
In order to be accepted as a NASA intern, you must have US citizenship, be 16 years old when starting the internship, be an undergraduate, and be enrolled in or accepted to a certified educational institution.
You will also need to keep the “Grade Point Average” (GPA) between 2, 9 and 4, 0
Step 4. Complete any additional requirements
For some positions, you will be required to meet the requirements of the Aeronautical, Scientific and Technical (AST) qualification standards, which will be outlined in the specific internship announcement.
Step 5. Apply for the Pathways Internship Program
To complete the application, you will be directed to the USAJOBS online application system. Instructions for completing the application are described below, in the next Method.
Step 6. Apply for the Pathways Recent Graduates Program (RGP)
Don't worry if you didn't learn about the internship program while attending college. If you have recently graduated, or your graduation will be this year, there is a chance that you will be accepted into the RGP.
If you are accepted, you will be directed to a one-year professional development program (which, in some cases, can be extended for another year). Upon completion of the program, there is the possibility of obtaining a permanent job at NASA
Step 7. Complete the requirements for RGP
To be accepted, you must have graduated from a qualifying educational institution within the past two years, unless you are a qualified veteran.
If you are unable to apply due to military obligations, you can retry within six years of graduation or receiving a certificate of educational qualification
Step 8. Sign up for the RGP
You can go to the NASA website or the USAJOBS to search for available RGP positions and apply.
Step 9. Learn about the Pathways Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)
The final Pathways Program is designed for those who have recently completed a master's or doctoral degree. Successful candidates are immersed in an intensive leadership development program that can quickly place them in key government and professional positions.
Step 10. Check if you are eligible for the program
If you have received a master's or doctoral degree within the past two years (or are about to finish this year), you may be eligible for the application.
Step 11. Choose an organization you would like to compete for
There are many government organizations that participate in this renowned and competitive program (over 100), and NASA is one of them.
You will need to visit the PMF website (www.pmf.gov) for application requirements and procedures
Step 12. Find out about the Astronaut Candidate Program
If you would like to become an astronaut and work in the International Space Program, you will need to enroll in the program.
If you are accepted, you will be assigned to the Astronaut Office at Lyndon Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where you will spend approximately two years in intensive training and being evaluated for suitability as an astronaut
Step 13. Complete the basic educational requirements to be eligible to apply to the Astronaut Candidate Program
In order for the application to be considered, you must have the proper graduation:
- You must have a bachelor's degree from a certified institution in one or more of the following areas: math, engineering, biological science, or physical science.
- Note that some ranks that make you eligible to work at NASA do not qualify you to become an Astronaut Candidate. For example, degrees in Nursing, Technology or Aviation are not considered qualifying.
Step 14. Get additional experience before applying for the program
Before applying for the program, you must have at least three years of relevant work experience beyond graduation.
If you have a full degree, it will be allowed to count as part of the required work experience. Get more information by reading the USAJOBS application instructions
Step 15. Complete the requirements to be eligible to apply as an Astronaut Candidate
You will have to pass NASA's long-term physical exam. Among the requirements are:
- Your vision should be correctable to 20/20, and if it has been surgically corrected, you should wait a minimum of one year, during which time there should be no complications.
- Blood pressure while sitting should not be above 140x90.
- The height cannot be less than 1.65 m or greater than 1.90 m.
Step 16. Apply through USAJOBS
If you are a civilian, your Astronaut Candidate application will be made through USAJOBS.
Enrollment will also be through USAJOBS if you are on active duty in the army, but you may need to make an additional enrollment in your respective service unit (for example, if you are in the army, talk to local management for more information)
Method 3 of 3: Applying to NASA through USAJOBS
Step 1. Apply to NASA even if you haven't participated in one of the Pathways Programs
There are many different “paths” that can lead you to an eventual career at NASA. While the Pathways Program provides excellent opportunities, you can apply as soon as you graduate from college or are in the military.
Step 2. Go to USAJOBS and research the positions offered
It's a great idea to start looking for a job on the NASA website: you can learn more about the organization, the employees, and the projects they're developing, but you'll be directed to USAJOBS to search and apply for specific jobs.
You can use the website's search function to filter the results and search for positions
Step 3. Use the USAJOBS newsletter service
If you're concerned and don't want to miss job listings, sign up to receive notification emails from USAJOBS. This will notify you when a position that matches your qualifications and desired criteria is available.
Check your mailbox regularly and your spam inbox settings so that notifications are not sent to the wrong folder or blocked completely
Step 4. Apply for advertised positions only
NASA does not consider unsolicited resumes. As explained above, search for available positions on USAJOBS, or register your email to receive notifications about new positions.
Step 5. Carefully review the option to apply by mail
Once you've found a position you'd like to apply for, you'll need to prepare your resume. Even if NASA accepts large copies of résumés (the address will be in the vacancy advertised), they greatly prefer that the electronic application process, through USAJOBS, be used.
Apply as NASA prefers, and avoid mailing material unless absolutely necessary
Step 6. Prepare the USAJOBS curriculum carefully
You can create and save up to five different types of resumes on the USAJOBS website. Next, you must choose the one you want to use for a specific available position. If you are applying for more than one government position, or more than one NASA position, you can create different versions of the curriculum to highlight different skills.
- For example, one résumé might highlight teaching experience if you are applying for a job where you will have to train or mentor others, while another résumé might highlight your experience as a researcher.
- Study the position carefully to select the resume that most highlights the skills and qualifications needed for that position.
- Don't forget to note the CV version used for each specific application; NASA doesn't keep the name you gave the curriculum.
Step 7. Keep the resume in a simple format
Do not insert bullets or other non-alphanumeric characters in the curriculum. These special characters will not be translated correctly by the NASA program, and the final curriculum will look sloppy.
However, you can use dash to highlight specific points or to list your experience
Step 8. Avoid copying and pasting
It's a good idea to draft and enhance the resume in a text editor rather than creating it from scratch while applying. However, it is recommended not to copy information from the document and paste it into the resume generator.
- Programs like Microsoft Word include special characters and hidden codes that don't translate properly.
- However, if you used a plain text file to compose your resume, you can copy and paste without any problems.
Step 9. Refer to the vacancy announcement when writing the resume
It's a good idea to highlight your keywords in the ad for the job you're applying for when writing your resume. Don't forget to include these words and phrases when outlining your work experience and presenting your skills and competencies.
Also use terms appropriate for your industry
Step 10. Avoid the unnecessary
NASA recommends that the curriculum is focused on the desired position, and that the excessive use of adjectives in the description of the experience be avoided. Also, don't try to fill it with irrelevant work.
Step 11. Omit irrelevant work history
It is not necessary to include the complete work history on the resume. For example, you're not expected to mention time you spent on a plantation during the summer vacation or your job as a waiter while you were in college.
You must, however, include your current job, even if there is no direct connection to the position you are applying for
Step 12. Provide complete information for the professional experiences listed
Once you've decided which jobs will be listed on the résumé, have dates of admission, salaries, employers' addresses, and bosses or supervisors' names and phone numbers handy.
Step 13. If you are or have been a Federal employee, be prepared to provide additional information
You will need to declare any work you have done with the Government. Also, be prepared to provide your occupational registration number, the exact date of admission, dates of promotions and the highest position you achieved.
Step 14. Include complete transcript information
You will also need to provide the full names of the schools you attended and their locations. Also mention graduation dates, grade averages (and the table used to calculate them) and what the grades are.
Most jobs at NASA require a master's or doctoral degree. It is important that you attend a certified institution recognized by the Department of Education, not a “degree factory”
Step 15. List achievements
Also include a list with all the awards obtained, trainings performed, texts of your authorship or co-authorship, etc. Don't forget to include specific titles and dates.
Also mention programs, tools, or equipment that you have used or specialize in that are relevant to the new job
Step 16. Keep the resume concise
USAJOBS does not set the size of the curriculum you will create, but NASA does. They do not consider resumes longer than six pages (approximately 20,000 characters).
Step 17. Skip the cover letter
NASA does not accept cover letters as part of the application process, nor does it accept other documents such as SF-171, OF-612, DD-214, SF-50, or SF-15.
Step 18. Read the vacancy notice and check if supporting documentation is required
NASA does not normally require applicants to submit supporting documentation when applying for an available position. However, please read the ad carefully in case there is an exception to this general rule.
- Monitor your mailbox regularly to check for any requests that may be made after you submit your resume.
- Some jobs, for example, may require you to submit your college transcript or fill out specific documentation if you are requesting a veteran's preference. However, these requests are made towards the end of the hiring process.
Step 19. Submit the resume
Once the curriculum is complete, it will be transferred to NASA's Staffing and Recruitment System (NASA STARS). The system is automated and will extract the relevant information from the curriculum.
Step 20. Review the curriculum as extracted from USAJOBS
Note that not all fields are extracted. For example, information is not extracted from the “Languages”, “Organizations/Affiliations” or “References” sections.
Even though the sections mentioned are completed in the USAJOBS curriculum, they will not appear in the NASA STARS curriculum
Step 21. Answer rating questions
It is possible that NASA STARS will ask some additional questions after the curriculum is ready. They will check that you meet the minimum requirements and that you are really interested in the position offered.
Step 22. Answer additional questions
You may have to answer additional questions while completing your resume on USAJOBS. If this happens, the responses will be transferred, but it will be necessary to verify that they have been transferred completely. Take the opportunity to review or change the answers.
Step 23. Answer additional questions for specific jobs
For example, some executive positions require you to answer ECQ (Executive Core Qualifications) and Executive Technical Qualifications questions. NASA recommends that you complete them offline, using a simple text editor, and then fill in the answers very carefully and carefully.
The questions are to assess whether you have experience and managerial and leadership skills, in addition to the required technical knowledge and skills
Step 24. Look out for the return receipt
After additional questions are answered, you will receive an email from NASA with notification that the application has been received.
If you do not receive the notice, go back to the application and check if you skipped any steps
Step 25. Track your application using “Application Status” in USAJOBS
You can return to the site at any time to check the status of the application and whether it is in the process of review.
- For example, you can check whether your application has been received, whether the review process has started, whether or not your eligibility has been determined, whether you have been selected for the interview, or whether the position has been filled or cancelled.
- Good luck!