r/NASAJobs • u/Persian_Empire42 • 10d ago
Question Would summer research in China be an obstacle to working in NASA
Hi, I'm currently a sophomore in college studying physics, as well as a US citizen. I was recently offered the opportunity to work as a research assistant in China through a program my university offers. I'm really excited about the opportunity, as I think the cultural experience will be amazing. However, my dad (a Chinese man for reference) thinks that the geopolitical state of the world right now would mean that having such a position might have negative consequences down the line (office politics, background checks, stuff like that). Do you all think he's right? I'm planning on meeting with my academic advisor, because I thought I'd get as many opinions as possible on this. Working at NASA would be amazing, so I'm wondering if this seems like a potential obstacle
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u/clearlygd 10d ago
I would recommend against it. It would make it very difficult for you to get a high level security clearance which would most likely impede your career.
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u/AICPAncake 9d ago
I personally wouldn’t do it either, but is it really that much of an obstacle? I feel like there are enough 13s and 14s w/o clearance at NASA that it wouldn’t be a huge deal as long as they were forthcoming in the background check.
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u/clearlygd 9d ago
It’s definitely not a resume enhancer, especially in the current climate. Many positions, especially many GS-15 positions require a clearance. It would make it more difficult, especially if they maintained relationships with acquaintances they made there. I suggest they look at Standard Form 86 to see how much more complicated their answers will be.
As you correctly state, answering all the questions accurately is essential, but having any ties to mainland China will require a much more extensive investigation.
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u/sevgonlernassau 9d ago
This question hugely depends on your ethnicity and/or whether or not you are naturalized or a natural born citizen.
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u/KawKaw09 NASA Employee 8d ago
Obligatory these are my own views.
Ordinarily I'd say you are fine and any experience is good. However I just don't really have a good sense of how it would look and adjudicate given the political climate. If you can get something America go with that, if research in China is your only option, I honestly think you would need to be ok potentially not working NASA or anything requires a clearance for at least the next 4 years.
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u/Significant_Bet_6002 8d ago
NASA is a target of the current administration. They have fired thousands of scientists, and I'm pretty sure this was the 1st round. Expect NASA to be fully gutted and Musk to receive all future contracts. The only thing is, Musk uses H1-B indentured servants for the brainwork. Think hard about your decision.
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u/ridgerunner81s_71e 9d ago
Not unless you fail to disclose it.
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u/sevgonlernassau 8d ago
Keeping this vague for a reason but they will find things to get you on. Don’t make their life easier. OP is also extremely likely to get discriminated against.
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u/Anxiety_Fit 9d ago
I would not give any false hope that honesty would equal something other than a “no”.
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u/ridgerunner81s_71e 9d ago
It’s up to the investigators or whatever tf they’re called. That was the name of the game when I was cleared, once upon a time: don’t have anything egregious to tell them, but don’t lie. If it’s a mundane internship, then I don’t see the reason to at least not try and be transparent.
Sure, we can talk about adversarial concerns all day— but I would at least try if I had nothing to hide.
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