NASA STEM Stars: Research Portfolio Manager | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Jennifer Scott Williams shares her journey to NASA, her role as a research portfolio manager, and the importance of pursuing your passions.

Key Insights

• ❓ NASA values individuals with diverse educational backgrounds, not just STEM degrees.
• 😣 Overcoming challenges and persevering is crucial for success in academics and careers.
• 💦 Pursuing your passions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important.
• 🧡 NASA offers a wide range of career opportunities, from operations to research, across multiple centers.
• 💪 There is a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork within NASA.
• ❓ Jennifer's journey showcases the importance of mentorship and the impact it can have on one's career.
• 👾 Space research involves complex processes and extensive testing to ensure accurate results.

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 jennifer scott williams [Applause] hello and welcome to nasa stem stars thank you for joining us today my name is adeline dinehart and when i'm not sitting here in my home office you would find me at langley research center... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jennifer end up in engineering and eventually at NASA?

Jennifer was introduced to engineering in high school and fell in love with electrical engineering after seeing students using breadboards to create circuits. She pursued a degree in electrical engineering and found opportunities at NASA through recruitment events.

Q: What degrees do people need to work at NASA?

While a STEM degree is commonly associated with working at NASA, the agency welcomes individuals with diverse educational backgrounds. A college degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0 are required, along with U.S. citizenship.

Q: What challenges did Jennifer face during her academic journey?

Jennifer faced challenges in her engineering studies, particularly in a class called "random signals." She failed a major exam but persevered by seeking help from friends, joining study groups, and putting in extra effort to succeed.

Q: Do you have any favorite memories or projects from your time at NASA?

Jennifer's favorite memory is working as a space shuttle flight controller, being the first African-American female certified in the front room. She also enjoyed working on rodent research projects and overseeing life science investigations on the International Space Station.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jennifer Scott Williams grew up with a passion for building and designing things, initially wanting to become a fashion designer. However, she discovered her love for electrical engineering and ended up at NASA.

• She attended Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, earning degrees in mathematics and electrical engineering through the Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Engineering Program.

• Jennifer is currently a research portfolio manager at NASA, responsible for helping scientists, engineers, and researchers fly their experiments in space.