How do you get admission in NASA after engineering?

Answer 1

It's a common misconception that NASA has a large workforce - in fact, NASA personnel comprise only the Administrative end of the program. Flight crew (Pilot/Co-Pilot) are military officers on assignment to NASA.

Even when I worked both Manned and Unmanned Flight programs, I used to laugh at the critics who railed that we should "privatize" the Space Program. What those idiots don't realize is that the Space Program is about 90% run by civilian contractors - even at NASA centers most personnel are contractors and not government employees. Even myself as a Government QA Representative, I was a DoD Inspector assigned exclusively to NASA programs.

While you can of course apply to the Agency directly, most people got there by being part of the Space Program as a civilian, then made the switch, or were prior military and joined. Remember that NASA is a government agency, and joining is like getting any other government job. Not only are you at a disadvantage competition-wise, a lot of prior military also apply for government jobs, and Vets have a 3 step hiring preference based on prior activity (5 pts for service, 10 pts for certain missions, 15 for disabled). I was actually both, and had a 10 pt preference to boot. As a contractor, you need to understand that it's not your degree that's important - it's the area your degree is in, and the work you're doing, as well as the level of education and training. If you really want to get anywhere, a Ph. D is your best option or a 4 year B.S. Skip the Masters - you have a better chance of being hired right out of college with a 4 year degree than you do with a Masters. Companies like to mold new talent into the way they want, and many top Aerospace companies will pay for your advanced degrees anyway.

Though it doesn't make a difference whether it's in the Bio or Physical sciences, from experience I can say that having a degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Thermal, or Electrical Engineering is more sought after than most.

While the big companies come to mind (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, etc.) there are a slew of smaller companies that provide the support link to those companies and the program as a whole. While I of course covered those companies, I also covered SAIC, Orbital Sciences, and many other smaller companies. There are literally thousands of companies that build or supply the materials necessary for any particular spacecraft.

It depends on what aspect of the job you're looking to learn also - I always preferred the working end as opposed to the design and analysis end, making sure that hardware was built and worked as engineered.

NASA has always operated on what is termed "legacy", meaning that if you prove yourself in a job as an individual or company they'll keep using you. Screw up and you're history. I've seen contracts awarded to different companies after the prime contractor fell into disfavor, and having the contract stipulate that everyone working for the prime that lost the contract be moved to the new contractor. Computers, desks, files, furniture, everything.

Right now, unless you've got something that can make you stand out on a Government application (and everyone applies for the government during bad economic times), your best option is to try and get a job with a contractor then look to the future. NASA has never been an easy place to get a job, since there aren't that many to begin with, and they typically hire from either contractor ranks (people they know and trust) or from within. The right Engineering degree is an absolute must, as well as the focus of your work. Electrical Engineering is common, as is Mechanical. But those disciplines focused on Aerospace technology is different altogether.

If you're wondering, in this case it doesn't matter who you know - you still have to go through the hiring process, and right now there are Ph.D's applying for GS-5 jobs. My daughter just took the State Dept. exam - with 30,000 other candidates here in D.C. alone. Not a good time to be looking for a government job.

As far as locations, Huntsville, the Baltimore-Washington area (where I live and used to cover), and Florida's Space Coast are the best locations. Other than that, Houston and Pasadena have the biggest NASA presences, and hence the largest contractor populations.

On a personal note, always remember that no one can make you sign or do anything you feel isn't right. Even if it costs you your job, you won't lose your soul. Manned Flight carries a huge responsibility, as does Unmanned Flight programs. A single mistake can cost millions, and there are people who routinely sign stuff they shouldn't. I refused on more than one occasion not to sign for key equipment, and was backed up by my NASA supervisor (I worked directly for the former Hubble Quality Director). I only mention it because if you ever work in Aerospace, at some point you'll likely be faced with the situation.

If you want to see some cool pics of some of the HST and ISS stuff I was responsible for, check my bio page.