NASA Transforms Initiative to Connect Community College Education with Aerospace Careers

Community college students across the United States now have an exciting opportunity to explore how their education can pave the way for rewarding careers in aerospace, science, engineering, and technology. The recently updated NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) challenge invites participants to learn about the agency and its missions, engage with NASA professionals, and investigate aerospace career paths, all while competing for monetary awards.

The application period is currently open, with a registration deadline set for Monday, 28th September.

A Unique Opportunity for Community College Students

Alicia Baturoni Cortez, project manager for NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project, which oversees the NCAS initiative, highlighted the distinctive nature of this opportunity. “What makes this opportunity unique is that it’s one of the few specifically designed for community college students,” she stated. “The NCAS student challenge aims to meet their needs and expand their career awareness, enabling them to either enter the workforce directly or consider pursuing a four-year degree in STEM fields.”

For interns Kim Alexander and Ashley Rodriguez, the NCAS programme has served as an unexpected launchpad from community college to promising new careers. After spending eight years as a bartender, Alexander sought a fresh start. Enrolling at Riverside Community College in California, she initially aimed to study graphic design but discovered a passion for mathematics instead. Participating in NCAS, she hoped to enhance her resume and bolster her university transfer application. Ultimately, she became part of a winning team that designed a human mission to Mars, an experience that significantly altered her career path.

“I was completely overwhelmed by how incredible the programme was,” Alexander reflected. “NCAS was the most monumental for me because I began to think, ‘Hey, I could pursue a career in this. This is feasible.’”

From Space Shuttle Launches to Strategic Communications

Rodriguez, who grew up in South Florida, watched space shuttle launches but had never considered a career at NASA. After gaining experience in various roles and parenting a toddler, she returned to education at Miami-Dade Community College to pursue an IT degree. It was there that she first learned about NCAS, which ultimately guided her towards a career in strategic communications.

“I created an infographic on laser relay communications. Initially, I knew nothing about it, but by the end, I felt like a pro,” said Rodriguez, now an intern at NASA.

The NCAS experience highlighted the significance of strategic communications at NASA and helped her uncover a field she enjoys immensely. In January 2024, both Rodriguez and Alexander commenced NCAS-funded internships at NASA, specifically within the agency’s Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities Portfolio Office, where they were introduced to their mentor, Data and Analytics Manager Erik Lopez.

Career Progression Through the NCAS Programme

Both interns have since completed their university degrees and are embarking on NASA Pathways internships that could lead to full-time employment within the agency. Rodriguez is currently serving as a strategic communications intern in the Engineering Performance Management Office at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, while Alexander is starting an engineering role supporting the Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

Lopez expressed his joy at their achievements, noting, “They were the first two NCAS alumni interns; they literally onboarded together. The fact that they are now returning to the agency as Pathways interns fills me with immense happiness.”

Expanding the Reach of NCAS

Stories like those of Alexander and Rodriguez exemplify the transformative impact of NCAS and underscore the programme’s refreshed mission to reach an even wider audience of community college students. This academic year, NCAS is launching a two-part initiative. The first phase, running through the autumn, invites students to engage in live virtual experiences with NASA experts and submit materials that demonstrate a connection between their coursework and potential roles at NASA. Faculty members play a crucial role in encouraging students who may not see themselves in NASA careers. Up to 1,000 submissions will be eligible for a £500 award.

Those who successfully complete this initial phase will be invited to participate in the subsequent phase, a spring virtual NCAS career fair linking them to industry experts and career opportunities. Following the career fair, students may submit further materials for additional prizes of £250, with up to 500 of the top submissions receiving awards.

Alicia Baturoni Cortez encapsulated the essence of NCAS, stating, “What NCAS does is bring the stars down to ground level. It allows students a risk-free exploration of what could be.”

To learn more about NCAS timelines, eligibility requirements, and how to take your education to the next level, please visit: NCAS Student Overview.