Karen, What is your job at NASA?

Well....just to get the ball rolling, I am an aeronautical engineer working for NASA-Ames. I use computers to figure out the aerodynamics of airplanes....it is an area called Computational Fluid Dynamics.

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What did you have to study about to get your job?

I have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering from Stanford. So...lots of math and science. But....english is very important. If you can't communicate what you know, then your knowledge is worthles
s to everyone else.

Karen, How much can an aero engineer expect to make when they first start the job?Probably a starting aero engineer will make in the $30K range, although it depends on whether you work for the government or industry.

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Will you ever go to space?

I probably won't ever be able to go to space. I have insulin dependent diabetes, and it is likely that the medical condition will disqualify me

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What's part of your job is your favorite?

I love to solve problems and understand why things work (or don't). In my job, I have a lot of freedom to pursue subjects that I feel will impact the safety and efficiency of aircraft. I also love the freedom to work with students and give back some of my
 love for my field to the community. I also love to work with students at the science fair. I mentor students with their projects, I judge the fair and I am being considered for the board of directors.

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How many hours a day do you have to put in for your job?

Brianna, my family is very important to me. I have 2 young daughters so I work 8 hour days so I can spend as much time as possible at home. I believe in working smarter...not longer!

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How do you work with students, are you a teacher?

I bring on students through the Student Space Biology program (which is how I started at NASA). A student comes and works with me 1 day a week. I teach them aeronautics and programming and then they help me out with my work. It is a lot of fun!

Goodbye we really thank you for your time!!!



Nice to chat with you!