NASA STEM Stars: Director of Center Operations | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Robin Gordon, NASA STEM Star, shares her background, career experiences, and the exciting work she does for NASA.

Key Insights

• 💦 Robin Gordon's career path showcases the possibility of working at NASA without a traditional STEM background.
• 🐕‍🦺 Community service and involvement in organizations like the Girl Scouts have been instrumental in Robin's professional growth.
• 📚 Robin's role as the Director of Center Operations involves ensuring the smooth functioning of Glenn Research Center, securing the facility, purchasing supplies, and managing the library, among other responsibilities.
• 🥺 Pursuing personal interests, embracing individual strengths, and focusing on areas of expertise can lead to fulfilling careers at NASA.
• ❓ Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported at NASA, as evidenced by Robin's involvement in outreach and diversity initiatives.
• 💦 Interactions with astronauts, participation in events, and exposure to famous personalities make working at NASA an extraordinary experience.
• 👻 Access to virtual tours allows individuals to explore NASA facilities like Glenn Research Center and discover their favorite areas of interest.

Transcript

stem fans are you ready let's hear it for the world-class nasa stem stars team from nasa centers across the country we present robin gordon [Applause] all right hello nasa stem stars how are you everybody my name is lynn dotson and i'm coming to you live from kennedy space center and today i'm gonna it is our 76th episode of nasa stem stars robin h... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Robin's love for reading and community service contribute to her career at NASA?

Robin's passion for reading and community service played a significant role in shaping her career. She recognizes the value of reading in expanding knowledge and emphasizes the importance of public libraries as a free resource for information. Her involvement in community service, such as working with the Girl Scouts, reflects her dedication to public service.

Q: What does Robin's job as the Director of Center Operations at Glenn Research Center involve?

Robin's job entails various responsibilities, including managing the operations of the center, ensuring security and safety, procuring supplies and equipment, overseeing the library, and handling imaging and technology. She also supports diversity and inclusion initiatives and collaborates with other NASA centers.

Q: How did Robin's education in human resources contribute to her role at NASA?

Robin's education in human resources provided her with the skills necessary to support NASA's workforce, manage personnel issues, and ensure a smooth functioning of the center's operations. Her background in operations management also equipped her with analytical and project management skills required for her current role.

Q: What advice does Robin have for someone aspiring to work at NASA?

Robin advises aspiring NASA employees to pursue their interests, embrace their unique strengths, and focus on areas where they excel. She encourages individuals to be themselves and not be discouraged if they do not fit the typical mold of a STEM professional. Robin's journey demonstrates that anyone with passion and dedication can work at NASA.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Robin Gordon, Director of Center Operations at Glenn Research Center, shares her journey from studying human resources to working in a technical and engineering research role at NASA.

• She emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's interests and how her love for reading and community service led her to her current position.

• Robin highlights her role in supporting NASA's research and engineering efforts, managing the center's operations, and promoting diversity and inclusion.