NASA Jobs – Know How to Make a Career in NASA

NASA Jobs – Know How to Make a Career in NASA

NASA Jobs – Is it your dream to work in NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)? If yes, then you are in the right place! NASA offers a lot of opportunities not only for astronauts but also for scientists, engineers, computer programmers, doctors and many other experts. But since it is a competitive institution, it takes proper planning and hard work to make a career in it.

In this article, we will tell you what qualifications are required to get a job in NASA and how you can move your career in this direction.

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1. What are the career options in NASA?

When people think of NASA, astronauts often come to mind, but careers can also be made in many other fields here. NASA requires professionals from the following fields:

Engineering – Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering

Science & Research – Astronomy, Physics, Biology, Geology, Climatology

Computer and IT – Cyber ​​Security, Data Science, Software Development

Medical field – Doctors, Nurses, Mental Health Professionals

Communication and Public Relations – Science Writer, Social Media Manager, Graphic Designer

To make your place in NASA, first of all it is important to understand in which field you want to make a career.

2. Educational Qualification for Job in NASA

Before applying for any profession in NASA, you have to ensure that your educational qualification is according to their standards.

High School (10th-12th)

If your dream is to work in NASA, then focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.

It is important to perform well in mathematics and science.

Graduation (Undergraduate Degree)

Must have a degree in engineering, physics, astronomy, computer science, biology, chemistry or related fields.

Good grades and working on research projects will be beneficial.

Masters and PhD (Postgraduate & PhD)

Masters degree or PhD is mandatory for many high positions in NASA, especially in research and scientific fields.

3. How to prepare for NASA?

(A) Choose the right course and university

Studying from a reputed university can be beneficial to join NASA. You can try to study in institutions like MIT, Stanford, Caltech, IIT, IISc.

(B) Participate in extra-curricular activities

NASA gives preference not only to those who study well, but also to those who are skilled in leadership skills and problem-solving skills. You can participate in the following activities:

• Participate in Science Olympiad and Tech Fair.
• Join robotics, aerospace or astronomy clubs.
• Join math clubs, debate teams or research projects.

(C) Do an internship

Participating in NASA’s internship programs may be the most important thing to pursue a career in NASA. You can apply for the following internship programs:

NASA Pathways Internships: For students and recent graduates.

NASA Summer Internship: Students get a chance to work on research projects in the summer.

NASA Fellowship Programs: For PhD and postdoctoral students.

You can get updates about these internships by visiting the official website of NASA.

NASA Internship Portal: intern.nasa.gov

4. How to get a job in NASA?

Once you have gained education and experience, the next step is to apply for a job at NASA.

(A) Apply on the right job portal

All jobs at NASA are posted on USAJOBS.gov. You can go here and see jobs related to your field.

Job Portal: usajobs.gov

(B) Make a strong resume and cover letter

Your resume and cover letter should be very impressive for a job at NASA.

• Highlight your technical and scientific skills.
• Mention your research projects and experience.
• If you have done a NASA internship, then definitely mention it.

(C) Prepare for the interview

If your application is shortlisted, you will be called for an interview. Both technical and behavioral questions are asked during the interview at NASA.

• Strengthen the concepts related to your subject.
• Have a grip on scientific and research related questions.
• Maintain confidence during the interview.

5. Skills required for NASA

Some special skills are required to make a career in NASA:

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
• Leadership and Teamwork
• Coding and Data Analysis
• Communication Skills
• Discipline and Patience
• NASA Pathways Internship Employment Program (IEP)

If you are a college student and want to make a career in NASA, then Pathways Internship Employment Program (IEP) can be a great opportunity for you.

Features of this program

This is a paid internship, that is, you also get paid for working.

You can learn important skills, which will help you in making a career in NASA later.

It gives you an opportunity to network with NASA professionals.

How to apply?

• You can apply for this program by visiting NASA’s official website or gov.
• Sign up on USAJOBS to get notifications for Pathways internships.

Eligibility

• US citizenship is mandatory.
• Must be at least 16 years of age at the time of internship.
• Must be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA of 2.9/4.0 is required.

2. NASA Recent Graduate Program (RGP)

If you have recently completed graduation and want to work in NASA, then this program will be right for you.

Benefits of RGP Program

• This program involves you in a one-year career development program.
• After completing the program, you are likely to get a permanent job in NASA.

Eligibility

• Have graduated from a recognized institution in the last 2 years.
• In case of delay due to military service, you can apply for up to 6 years.

How to apply?

• Visit NASA’s website or usajobs.gov to see RGP open positions and apply.

3. NASA Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) Program

If you have completed an advanced graduate degree (Masters or PhD) and want a leadership position in NASA, then this program may be right for you.

Benefits of PMF Program

This is a prestigious and competitive program.

It gives you the opportunity to advance quickly to government leadership positions.

Eligibility

• Have completed an advanced graduate degree in the last 2 years.
• If you are going to graduate this year, you can still apply.

For more information: pmf.gov

4. NASA Astronaut Candidate Program

If your dream is to become an astronaut and you want to work in international space missions, then you have to apply for the Astronaut Candidate Program.

Process

After being selected, you will have to undergo 2 years of rigorous training.

This training takes place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Qualification

Must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, which includes any one of the subjects:

• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Biological Science
• Physical Science

Note:- Nursing, technology and aviation degrees are not accepted by NASA for astronaut candidates.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience is mandatory.
• If you have done Masters or PhD, it will count as experience.

Physical Fitness Requirements

• 20/20 vision (if you have had vision surgery, at least 1 year has passed).
• Blood pressure should not be more than 140/90.
• Height should be between 62 inches to 75 inches.

Additional tips for making a career in NASA

• Build a strong hold on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
• Focus on good grades and research projects.
• Participate in internships and research programs related to NASA.
• Build a strong command over the English language.

How to apply directly to NASA?

If you want to apply directly to NASA without any internship or program, then the USAJOBS.gov website is the most important platform for this.

Step-by-step application process

• Visit usajobs.gov and create an account
• Search for available jobs at NASA
• Select a job as per your qualification
• Apply online and upload required documents
• Prepare your resume and cover letter well

Important Tip: NASA does not accept “unsolicited applications”. So apply only for jobs that are officially posted on USAJOBS.gov.

3. Eligibility to become an Astronaut in NASA

If your dream is to become an Astronaut in NASA, then for this you must fulfill the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Physics, Engineering, Maths, Biology or equivalent) from a recognized institute
• At least three years of experience or 1,000 hours of jet flying experience
• 20/20 vision (eyesight should be good)
• Good blood pressure (not more than 140/90)
• Height: Should be between 62 to 75 inches

How to apply?

• Search “Astronaut Candidate Program” on USAJOBS
• Apply according to your qualifications
• If selected, you will have to undergo two years of training at Johnson Space Center, Houston

Key Technical Guidelines for NASA Resumes

1.1 Include only relevant information

Only add experience and skills related to the job you are applying for to your resume.

Avoid including non-essential work experience such as summer jobs, part-time jobs, or unrelated freelance work.

If your current job does not directly match the NASA position, but the skills learned there may be useful, you can include it briefly.

1.2 Provide detailed work experience details

• Dates of employment (Month/Year format)
• Salary and employer name and address
• Supervisor name and telephone number
• Work role and contribution (with numerical and measurable results)

1.3 Additional information for government employees

If you previously worked for a government agency, you must include these additional details:

• Occupational series number
• Exact dates of employment
• Promotion dates and highest achieved rank

2. How to write education details?

• Full name and location of school/university
• Degree name and date of completion
• GPA (specify the scale on which it was calculated)
• Coursework or projects that is relevant to the job

Note

Most technical positions at NASA require a four-year degree. Some higher positions may require a masters or doctorate. Your degree must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

3. Include key accomplishments

Awards and recognition’s you have received

Any significant technical training or certifications

Research publications you have authored or co-authored (with clear titles and publication dates)

Your expertise in relevant software, equipment, or technology

4. Length and Format of a NASA Resume

• Maximum length: 6 typed pages (~20,000 characters)
• Be concise and clear
• Use bullet points to make scanning easier

Do not include

• Cover letter – NASA does not accept this
• Additional documents such as SF-171, OF-612, DD-214, SF-50, SF-15
• Non-essential personal information

5. Pay attention to supporting documents required

Read the job ad carefully to see what documents are required.

Some positions may require you to provide college transcripts or experience documentation.

NOTE

After submitting your resume, keep checking your email for any additional information requests from NASA.

6. Resume Submission Process on USAJOBS

6.1 Transferring Resume to NASA STARS System

After submitting your application on USAJOBS.gov, your resume will be transferred to NASA STARS System.

NASA STARS ensures that your basic resume is extracted correctly.

6.2 How to ensure that your resume is extracted correctly?

Verify that all fields are filled out correctly.

The “Language”, “Organization/Affiliation” and “References” fields are not extracted by NASA, so don’t worry if they are missing.

7. Answering Screening and Supplemental Questions

After the resume is extracted in NASA STARS, you will need to answer some additional questions. These questions are to check:

• Do your qualifications meet the minimum requirements?
• Are you interested in this position?

There may be additional questions for certain jobs (e.g. SES – Senior Executive Service).

Tip

Prepare the answers to the “Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ)” and “Executive Technical Qualifications (ETQ)” questions for SES positions.

8. How to track application status?

You can check the status of your application by visiting the “Application Status” page of USAJOBS.gov:

• “Application Received” – Application has been submitted
• “Review Process Started” – Review has begun
• “Qualified” – You have been deemed eligible for this position
• “Selected for Interview” – You have been selected for an interview
• “Position Filled” – This position has been filled
• “Canceled” – This job is no longer available

NOTE

If you do not receive an email confirmation after application submission, double-check your application status.

Conclusion

Creating a technical, concise, and relevant resume is a must to get a job at NASA. Keep in mind that NASA’s hiring system is strict and systematic, so you must be careful at every step.

Key Points

• Include only relevant experience and skills
• Add accurate job description and achievements
• Mention awards, technical training, and publications
• According to NASA guidelines, the length of the resume should not exceed 6 pages
• Do not send cover letters and unnecessary documents

If you follow these guidelines, your resume will be effectively accepted for a job at NASA.

Thanks for visiting Physics Wala

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