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How will I know that I’m enough to work along side professionals in the industry.


I’ve always feared that I will not have the knowledge or the innovation that others do which allow them to be such good workers at a company like NASA. Although it is wrong to be driven by such goals it has always pushed me to be my greatest self. My tenacity and grit has allowed me to keep up with the top of my class and I feel I’ll be able to continue until I reach my goals.

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Subject: Career question for you
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Danene’s Answer

Benjamin you are enough! I have managed people for over 30 years and the successful ones are not always the ones with the best grades or the right answers every time. The ones that are humble and hard working are the ones that win. Willing to start at the bottom and work hard and move up. I want to work with a team that will show up early and be willing to learn. To have a positive attitude and be willing to fail. Failure is the best education. Get up from those failures and try again. You got this!
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Peter’s Answer

It is great that you're thinking of this. the answer from me are: a) never assume you know enough, also look for more. after working for 30+ years, I still try to learn new stuff everyday. b) understand your area properly, what kinds of skill sets? The entrance to NASA is high, so find people that work there and get their view. get that baseline understanding. c) always be curios, have confidence of yourself and never be discouraged, especially in one's early career. most people at the senior level usually are helpful since they know the important to bring a young talent. the teachable attitude make much better impression than showing off what you have learned from books/schools.
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Julie’s Answer

I think by the way you worded this inquiry that you already know the answer to your question! Reflecting internally and asking yourself hard questions demonstrates you have what it takes to make it in any position / career you decide to choose and that you want to challenge yourself to be successful. Success in the workplace isn't all about 'what you know'. Yep, it definitely helps to have some intelligence, but it is much bigger than that. Success in a professional environment requires you to be able to be able to meet deadlines, be organized and communicate your thoughts in writing & verbally in a manner that makes sense to your audience, using their vernacular. How many classes have you sat in and wondered what the heck this professor is talking about - that is an example of someone demonstrating their knowledge, but not connecting with their audience. The smartest person in the room isn't always the most successful because they don't know how to connect with their audience, whether it be a co-worker, boss, industry peer, etc. But they do know how to build relationships, they strive to be better every day and the continue to learn and grow. I got my start in the technical arena by asking someone that already worked at the company for a recommendation; they called the hiring manager and put in a good word for me. It helped get me to stand out from the rest of the applicants and opened an entire new world and career for me. Leaders may not know the detailed in's and out's of the low level details, but they do know how to listen, how to solve and think of creative ways to resolve problems. So while you are in college learning everything you need to know about your chosen field, you also need to be engaged in committees, forums and opportunities to build on your soft skills and relationships. In today's environment, many hiring managers are interested in knowing about you, just as much as they are interested in knowing your educational background.
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Kim’s Answer

Benjamin,

Fear of failure keeps many of us going! You just can't see what we are thinking! And quite honestly, when you first start out, no, you won't be as great as the senior co-workers you are working beside. Respect them for who they are - seek to learn from them, and gently share your "new-fangled college-stuff" with them. New people "with attitude" are quickly put in-check.

It's all about teamwork. As a cop, I had other officers who had been electricians, truck-drivers, and who knows what else. And yes, I needed these skills from them from time to time to handle my calls. We worked midnights. As a group, there was nothing we could not handle.

Knowledge is great, but the real test comes in the application of that knowledge in a group setting. Keep pushing yourself academically, but take time out to make sure you are learning how to interact with others on a professional level.
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Ryan’s Answer

Hey Benjamin,

Recognizing your worth and believing in your abilities is vital to achieving your dreams and working alongside industry professionals. It's natural to feel apprehensive, especially when pursuing ambitious goals like working at NASA. However, your tenacity, grit, and determination that has propelled you to the top of your class speak volumes about your potential.

Always remember that professionals in the industry started their journeys with the same fears and uncertainties. What sets them apart is their dedication to continuous learning, growth, and their unwavering belief in their abilities. Your pursuit of excellence and willingness to learn from your experiences have already demonstrated your potential to succeed in a demanding field.

Embrace your unique qualities and the knowledge you've gained so far, and don't shy away from challenges. Instead, view them as opportunities to grow, learn, and become even more exceptional professionals. It's important to know that innovation and expertise are not inherent traits but cultivated through hard work, passion, and resilience.

Remember that being driven to be your greatest self is a remarkable quality. Allow this desire to fuel your growth, but also take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments. Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals who will help you build confidence in your abilities and encourage you to reach your full potential.
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Mehul’s Answer

Congrats! You are already on your path towards your goals. If you can imagine it, you will never be able to know if it can be achieved, unless you start somewhere. All the amazing scientists & astronauts working at NASA started somewhere. Thereafter, they put in the work. Their dedication, hard work, persistence, agility, continuous learning from past failures, and passion driven by purpose helped them evolve to greatness.

Their are many practical steps and sound advice provided by my peers on this topic. I also recommend going to Space & Technology industry events to gain insights from the experts, ask questions, and learn about their journey. You will learn they did not become great overnight. They started somewhere and continued to iterative towards greatness. We continue to learn to be our best everyday and help support others to be their best.

All the best in your quest for greatness at NASA or at other great organizations like ours!

Greatness = hard work.
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Teresa’s Answer

Hi Benjamin,
Thanks for sharing your aspirations and goals. No one will expect you to have all the knowledge and creative skills on day 1! When we all start out on our careers, we are often humbled by the experienced co-workers around us and wonder how we will ever be able to measure up. In any role early in your career journey, be curious, ask questions, be a sponge for learning and be willing to raise your hand to help out with a project. It's your willingness to work hard and most importantly to learn that will help you progress in an organization. Your senior co-workers will be great role models about what skills (soft skills and technical) you will need to be successful in any particular organization.
Best of luck!
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Kelli’s Answer

Hi Benjamin!

First, always realize that you are enough. If you are in the same room, then you deserve to be in that room.

My advice is to keep your same drive and set your goals in steps that you can achieve in steps that in a calendar.

Kelli recommends the following next steps:

Go to the library or online and look up stories of how some people may have gotten into NASA.
Go to the NASA website and see what the qualifications actually are by looking at jobs listed.
Start looking at colleges and universities that have the courses you need that match those qualifications
Set goals now on how soon you can realistically achieve the smaller items you need to meet those qualifications.
Celebrate each time you meet a goal and keep going.
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Roberto’s Answer

Hello Ben,

Yours is such a good question. You will only know by trying ! All those skills you mention there are just that, skills. Paying attention, listening, practicing, repeating, getting feedback and following advice is what will let you improve on those skills. Also there will always be someone with more experience or maybe even more talent but do not let that discourage you from giving it your best. Persistence is the key.

There is very good advice in this discussion regarding practical actions and attitude. The best of the best put together three things, attitude, persistence and talent. I'm sure NASA is a very exciting place to be and you will find there may be other less famous places where you can also enjoy the thrill of seeing great things happen and the even more exciting prospect of you being part of it. Good luck to you !
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David’s Answer

When you're striving for a position in your desired industry but don't make the final cut, don't be disheartened. Instead, reach out to the hiring manager or recruiter for feedback. This can shed light on areas where you might not have fully met the role's requirements or highlight any skills you need to develop further.

If you're already in the industry and aiming for higher or more specialized roles, have a chat with your manager about your performance. Request comprehensive feedback. This can be an invaluable tool to gauge whether you're thriving in your current role, or if there are areas where you could grow and bridge the gap. Keep pushing forward, your efforts will pay off!
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Lisa’s Answer

You will know you are enough by your willingness to learn, your willingness to get involved, your willingness to lead...Your credentials will dictate if you belong in the room, but your attitude and behaviors will dictate if you deserve to stay. Be a team player and keep a good attitude and don't be afraid to put in the hard work. Less complaining and more problem solving are what will set you apart from the rest. Set your sights on a goal and don't stop until you achieve it!
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