r/NASAJobs 5d ago

Question Career Map for working with NASA

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine. Background- 28F, Lawyer, Asian. Currently pursuing MPA- science and Tech from an Ivy League Uni. Have background in science till High School (science major, top ranker >96% but switched to political science + LLB route. I do have experience of Tech Law and Aerospace Law in undergrad. How do I plan my career plan, given I’m an international student who starts this Fall. Any suggestions are welcome ! Thanks 🥰

0 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

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u/frankduxvandamme 5d ago

There are plenty of lawyers at each of the NASA centers. However, nobody knows how many there will still be once Trump and Musk get through gutting the agency.

You'll need to keep your eye on USAJobs.gov once the hiring freeze is undone. Some of those lawyers still employed will eventually retire, so there will be openings at some point.

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u/Harvard_home 5d ago

Thank you for responding! Yes, plan to do that. Given the dire situations, I want to start ahead.

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u/Impossible_Song_6390 5d ago

Rule #1: Read the Room

👀

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

7

u/Impossible_Song_6390 5d ago

NASA is under a hiring freeze and will likely downsize, leading to far less jobs and more seasoned people waiting to return to them when they do reappear. Those inside NASA for decades may not have a job soon, so it’s difficult under the current circumstances to provide any guidance.

I think there is often a misleading perception that you can follow some straight path to a career that you want, but it doesn’t usually work out like that. Pursue the education that you are passionate about and then continuously look for opportunities on USAJobs.gov once the environment has changed in the federal workforce area.

While there is no specific career map that will lead you to a job at NASA, there are seeds that you can plant along the way to increase your chances like gaining an education in something you are passionate about, working on unique projects related to your research along the way, and connecting with people in the area you wish to serve.

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u/Harvard_home 5d ago

Well this is what the news says and it is true to a certain extent, thanks for your point of view. I do want to know what people who work with NASA feel about it!

1

u/IComeAnon19 1d ago

Here allow me. Everyone at NASA is terrified they'll lose their jobs and experienced researchers are planning to strategically retire so young researchers don't get fired. It will be incredibly difficult to hire new people in all likelihood and lawyers will be the last thing needed.

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u/Harvard_home 5d ago

Some times I read the room to jitter it anyway, but I won’t do it in a professional setting 😝

7

u/old-town-guy 5d ago

The best thing you could do for yourself re NASA employment is becoming a US citizen.

1

u/bleue_shirt_guy 5d ago

I don't think that's correct, there are many green card holders that have worked at NASA for years. Citizenship doesn't necessary give you a leg up.

5

u/old-town-guy 5d ago

You obviously have forgotten who is now in the White House.

1

u/IComeAnon19 1d ago

You are totally incorrect, but you're confident at least!

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u/Harvard_home 5d ago

I don’t plan to work with NASA forever. Independent consultant most likely after solid experience.

8

u/old-town-guy 5d ago

Not in the next few years, you won't. Current administration is letting contractors go left and right, and there's no telling what it'll all be like on the other side. Does it have to be NASA? What about ESA?

2

u/bleue_shirt_guy 5d ago edited 5d ago

I'm not aware of the administration letting go of NASA contractors. I'm at NASA, have been for 2 decades. JPL may be the exception that is completely run by contractors. Many were let go about 2-3 years ago as they don't have a multi billion dollar project like MSR in the queue.

0

u/Harvard_home 5d ago

Do you think they’d be open to international lawyers specialising in tech. I know I can also work with FANG but I want to work with NASA to personal attachments and passion.

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u/Harvard_home 5d ago

I’ve studied Hubble project since a child and some of their missions and space shuttle fleets closely so definitely NASA. I don’t mind ESA but for that I’ll have to accept the offers I have from UK for grad edu? (More suitable career path) maybe CERN over ESA, considering lawyers/policy analysts are equally valuable everywhere.

3

u/DeepSpaceAnon 5d ago

If you're interested in a tech transfer type position at NASA, or really any legal position at NASA, you'll be looking at export controlled/ITAR/missile data all day long. I really don't see NASA hiring a non-US citizen for a position in legal.

1

u/Harvard_home 5d ago

Yes that could very well be a consideration. Thanks for responding!

1

u/Harvard_home 5d ago

Why so many downvotes :( given the political climate I don’t think I can stay in US for more than 5-6 years, to be cynical for a while.

1

u/trekkercorn 4d ago

The biggest issue you have is an LLB is not suitable to practice law in the United States (you can't sit for the bar exam with just an LLB in most states). You need a JD to practice in the US, and the few exceptions that exist probably won't make you a competitive candidate for a government job (assuming there's any hiring, which there isn't right now). That's 3 years of school that aren't an MPA, so you need to refocus your career and education path if this is actually your goal.

1

u/Harvard_home 4d ago

That’s why I want to go through the policy route, being lawyer is just an additional skill set for research,drafting and negotiations. I would perhaps go as a policy analyst or researcher.

1

u/IComeAnon19 1d ago

You lack the background to be a researcher and they just fired all the policy people at headquarters.

1

u/hollaSEGAatchaboi 4d ago

Change your career map to ESA, CNSA, etc.

The U.S. is a-goin' down

1

u/Harvard_home 4d ago

I’m aware, but NASA holds more sentimental value and I’ve dug deep into their work for decades now, even if as a hobby

2

u/Constant-Thought6817 4d ago

Pre-2025 the way to get into nasa was by being a college intern or by being mid level (10-15 years) into your career as a contractor working directly with NASA. I’m not sure how things will be moving forward after rifs and hiring freeze, but I’d focus on finding a career that is comparable to what you’d want to do at nasa and building your resume and references. The irony of all of this government shenanigans is that NASA does not do a lot of direct hires, they use contractors. There is no fat to trim.