Who I am and What I Do
My name is Jo Ann Larson. I have been working at NASA Dryden Flight Center since 1991. I am an Equal Employment Specialist (EO Specialist) and also the NASA Dryden Minority University Program Manager. My responsibilities as an EO Specialist are to make certain that the employees at the Dryden Flight Research Center are provided equal opportunity. I am also responsible for managing special recruitment initiatives to ensure that we reach a diverse group of applicants. Recruitment is a very interesting part of my job because it allows me to travel to a variety of conferences and college campuses where I meet and talk with students and professionals from many different backgrounds and careers.

As the Minority University Programs Manager, I act as a liaison between Historically Black Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutes, and Tribal Colleges Minority Universities. The Minority University Program assists in increasing the participation of minority students in mathematics, science, and technology careers. I also administer several undergraduate and graduate programs that select students to intern at Dryden while they are attending school. Being involved with students and being a part of their internships is very gratifying and inspiring. These students, like some of you, aspire to become engineers and scientists

Personal
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was suddenly finding myself a single parent, in an unfamiliar city, with no job, no place to live, nobody nearby to turn to, many years ago. I was very worried about being able to support and take care of my children. It was at this time in my life—over 20 years ago—that I was fortunate to enter into the Federal Government. Financially, there were many difficult times, but I focused on maintaining my dignity and moral standards as well as making the best career choices that would also benefit my children. I actively sought after positions that had upward mobility potential. Many of these positions required that I move to different government agencies as well as different geographical locations within the United States. I considered myself to be a "federal gypsy" because we moved so many times. Sometimes, you need to be willing to explore and take different chances in your life.

Career Journey
Throughout the many facets of my career: Personnel Clerk, Pharmacy Technician, Personnel Assistant, Personnel Specialist, EO Specialist—I have been fortunate to have had wonderful individuals that have mentored me. Because of this, I have vowed to "give-back" by mentoring others whenever possible. An important lesson I learned was to look for other women that held the same standards and work ethics that I admired. I tried to learn from them as much as I could.

After graduation from high school in Maryland, I attended Montgomery College and the University of Maryland and received an AA degree. My single-parenting duties with my two sons, and commitment to my career, required me to "suspend" my original degree pursuits. I have recently returned to college with the encouragement and support of my husband and older, more independent sons. Graduation date —February 2002!! And do you know what I have discovered? Math and statistics really aren't that difficult. I used to think I "just couldn't do math". Even the name frightened me. But let me tell you—I have been bragging to my boys that Mom got a B+ in Statistics!!! I hope my sons will see their mother's returning to school as an example to follow.

My parents instilled a strong, moral foundation and work ethics in all their children. This is the same foundation that I hope to pass on to my children. It is this foundation that helped me make the right choices and try to better our lives, even though it meant a greater effort. There are many interests that I have, and not enough time to "fit" everything in! Traveling with my family, exploring museums, being a "Football Mom" and "Golf Mom," church activities, watercolor painting, and reading.

Being part of the NASA family has been exciting and rewarding and the highlight of my career. Many women at NASA do such inspirational work.

Advice
My advice to young women is: there are infinite opportunities available to you if you stay focused. Maintain your standards, but be as flexible as you can when needed, and persevere. Remember—Your Road to Success Should Always Under Construction!

Last Updated: August 16, 2001