Hi mallfunnbunny, well NASA is huge so you can work for them doing many jobs. But yes, if you become an engineer you can work for them building things (like space telescopes, space shuttles, rockets, computers to be used in space, etc.) so if that is what you want to do then an engineer would be good. Of course you can also work for NASA as a scientist. They need astronomers to use space telescopes and to understand what we see in with them. And not only astronomers but other kinds of scientists too – for example they try to grow plants on the international space station where there is no soil and only artificial light. This is important because if we go to different planets (like Mars) we would need to be able to grow food for ourselves on the way! Of course if you were some kind of fighter pilot you might be able to drive a space shuttle. But you would also need to be a trained scientist too, to do that.
So I think your best bet is to be an engineer or a scientist (with interest in space & astronomy) and then you can work for NASA. I worked at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida for a few months one summer and it was great! This is where the space shuttles launch from and land and it is full of scientists and engineers of all kinds working on so many projects. Maybe somewhere like this is where you want to work. I can recommend it. 🙂
Being a mechanical or electrical engineer is one of the main routes into getting a job in this area though, as Evan said, there are roles for all kinds of scientists in space!
Another idea that might be an option for you is Computer Science, if you’re interested in computing and programming.
It’s also worth considering the European Space Agency (ESA) which is Europe’s equivalent of NASA and probably easier to get into unless you’re an American citizen! Being good at another European language (especially French, German, Italian or Spanish) would be a big advantage if you wanted to join the ESA too.
Comments
mallfunbunny commented on :
thanks for the advice
Ryan commented on :
Being a mechanical or electrical engineer is one of the main routes into getting a job in this area though, as Evan said, there are roles for all kinds of scientists in space!
Another idea that might be an option for you is Computer Science, if you’re interested in computing and programming.
It’s also worth considering the European Space Agency (ESA) which is Europe’s equivalent of NASA and probably easier to get into unless you’re an American citizen! Being good at another European language (especially French, German, Italian or Spanish) would be a big advantage if you wanted to join the ESA too.
mallfunbunny commented on :
i think ill go for the ESA
rwn1 commented on :
You don’t just have to be an engineer to be a part of NASA you could do simple things like give 2 pounds every 6 months or something.