Elena Fermin

I work in the JSC Reimbursable Accounting Group. When a customer comes to NASA to have work done – say testing at one of our labs – they have to reimburse us for the work that we're doing, at cost. Often, it's for our unique capabilities, like the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, or the Super Guppy. Technical people tell us what they need, and it's our job from a budget and accounting perspective to provide guidance, resources and tools to meet the requirements that enable the partnership. I may not be pushing the button to send a human or satellite to space, but we enable others to do their jobs successfully.
 
I didn't grow up knowing much about NASA, but from my first day as a co-op, I fell in love with it. I think the possibilities as an accounting/ finance/ business person are endless because you get to learn the technical work and still do your own job. That’s what makes this career choice a lot of fun.