NASA Internships Rock(et) It!
Did you know that NASA has two different types of internship programs? It does. There are interns who come through the Pathways program and those who come through the Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). Let’s chat about the similarities and unique qualities that make each program a perfect fit to help NASA advance its mission.
Here’s a look at the major differences between the two programs:
The Pathways programs are designed to allow students and recent graduates to gain experience in the federal government. At NASA, the program is operated by the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) as a workforce development internship program. The program is similar to a co-op opportunity, where students are provided with paid work experiences and development opportunities for multiple semesters. Pathways offers the chance to jumpstart a NASA career, as it presents a path to NASA employment after program completion. These internships are paid, civil servant opportunities. In addition to pay, interns may receive the same federal benefits as permanent employees.
There are three different paths available: The NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program is open to students currently enrolled in qualifying educational programs. If you are a recent or soon-to-be graduate, the NASA Pathways Recent Graduate Program offers early career development. The Presidential Management Fellows Program is for recent graduates with advanced degrees.
The OSTEM Internship Program offers fall, spring, and summer session workplace learning opportunities to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and even educators. Most of these students receive a stipend award for working and completing a project-based (work) experience for a NASA mentor. Many OSTEM interns have an opportunity to become a Pathways program intern, a direct hire with a contractor, or often return as an OSTEM intern for another session. OSTEM interns can gain broad attention throughout the agency because of the number of requests from mentors from every discipline.
Similarities?
All NASA’s internship programs provide training, mentoring, and career-development opportunities while working with some of the best science, engineering, financial, Information Technology, and business minds in the world. NASA internships are an important part of the agency’s commitment to ensuring the next generation will be ready for the challenges ahead. The Pathways and OSTEM Internship Programs collaborate in the recruitment of students from all segments of society, keep students informed of the programs through social media, and provide quality professional engagement to NASA’s finest — our interns. OCHCO and OSTEM are partners in developing and securing NASA’s next-generation workforce and the nation’s STEM — or science, technology, engineering, and math — workforce. Our mentors and managers do a tremendous job passing on their knowledge and NASA’s legacy to these new creative and innovative minds.
Pop Quiz: Do you know your center Pathways and OSTEM Internship team members? Let us introduce you to those who make this happen and work diligently with hiring managers and mentors at your center. These two programs are highly successful because of the commitment of these team members.
Meet the team from NASA’s Johnson Space Center!
From left: Mae Mangieri, Pathways Student Experiences manager; Andrea J. Parker, Pathways Student Recruitment and Hiring manager; Veronica (Seyl) Clauson, JSC and agency OSTEM Internships Operations manager; and Rosie Patterson, JSC OSTEM Internships activity manager.
From left: Johnson OSTEM Internship Coordinators Hiba Akram, Jennifer Becerra, and Annalise Giuliani. Credits: NASA
