Astronaut Suni Williams shares her inspiring story with NASA and Pathways interns
2016-03-30
On March 17, Astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams gave an inspirational lecture to Johnson Space Center and Pathways interns. Williams currently holds the record for total cumulative spacewalk time (a little over 50 hours) of any female crew member, and was also the first person to complete the Boston Marathon in space. However, she stressed that those records were all a matter of timing—and that records were made to be broken. As an example, Williams told the rapt audience that her total spacewalk time record could easily be broken during NASA’s #JourneyToMars. She encourages this, as well, because she believes that each generation of explorers should motivate the next.
Williams was recently one of four astronauts selected for future Commercial Crew Program flights. She credited her selection also to timing, because the first few commercial crew flights will consist of crew members who are test pilots, which she is.
JSC and Pathways interns alike were encouraged by Williams’ story. Kate Gunderson, a co-op at Ellington Field in the Aircraft Operations Division, and Amelia Hill, Safety and Missions Assurance Directorate intern, appreciated that the astronaut’s path to the Naval Academy and NASA was not straight and narrow. Williams said she originally wanted to become a veterinarian; however, she ended up trying for the Naval Academy, which she connected with because she loved swimming and its team-oriented environment. Although there were some hiccups along the road, she discovered opportunities that she did not even know existed.
Williams wanted the interns to remember three lessons she had learned throughout her life:
If you or your organization is interested in advancing a project, now is the time to request an intern for the fall. For details about JSC internships, click here or simply go to intern.nasa.gov and submit a project. Internship coordinators will then be in touch to help you find a great student for your project!
JSC and Pathways interns with astronaut Suni Williams (center). Image Credit: NASA
Nicole Schoenstein
NASA Johnson Space Center
Williams was recently one of four astronauts selected for future Commercial Crew Program flights. She credited her selection also to timing, because the first few commercial crew flights will consist of crew members who are test pilots, which she is.
JSC and Pathways interns alike were encouraged by Williams’ story. Kate Gunderson, a co-op at Ellington Field in the Aircraft Operations Division, and Amelia Hill, Safety and Missions Assurance Directorate intern, appreciated that the astronaut’s path to the Naval Academy and NASA was not straight and narrow. Williams said she originally wanted to become a veterinarian; however, she ended up trying for the Naval Academy, which she connected with because she loved swimming and its team-oriented environment. Although there were some hiccups along the road, she discovered opportunities that she did not even know existed.
Williams wanted the interns to remember three lessons she had learned throughout her life:
- Get to the starting line. Therefore, if you want something, make it happen. Even if you do not succeed, there are lessons to be learned along the way.
- Remember what you learned in kindergarten. Although competition is good, it is also important to have fun and be nice and conscientious toward others.
- Stop and take a look at the foliage. Do not get so caught up in your end goals that you forget to notice and appreciate what is around you.
If you or your organization is interested in advancing a project, now is the time to request an intern for the fall. For details about JSC internships, click here or simply go to intern.nasa.gov and submit a project. Internship coordinators will then be in touch to help you find a great student for your project!
JSC and Pathways interns with astronaut Suni Williams (center). Image Credit: NASA
Nicole Schoenstein
NASA Johnson Space Center