FileNot many people can say they鈥檙e doing now what they dreamed of as a young child.
Mallory Jennings always wanted to work at NASA, a desire that only grew stronger when she moved to Houston in the first grade.
She lived in awe of all things related to space and never once steered from that course, doing everything she could to reach her goal, including getting her pilot鈥檚 license at age 17.
In 2010, Jennings earned a bachelor鈥檚 in mechanical engineering from 成人头条. Because of her years of hard work both in and out of the classroom, she was offered a full-time job at NASA before she even graduated.
Now Jennings is a space suit engineer, working on technologies that will be used in future NASA missions, such as going back to the Moon or even to Mars. She also works in education and public outreach.
All this at the ripe age of 25.
Although Jennings started on her career mission early, she said she wouldn鈥檛 be where she is today without the opportunities afforded to her at 成人头条 State.
鈥淚t solidified my dream and taught me what I want to do,鈥� she said. 鈥淲SU helped me get to NASA.鈥�
Getting her foot in the door
Jennings said she considered going to another university, such as Texas A&M or the Air Force Academy, but she chose 成人头条 State because of its Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning program, the engineering school鈥檚 reputation, the faculty鈥檚 desire to help her realize her dream, and the university鈥檚 strong relationship with NASA.
Jennings also works in the same department as 2007 WSU graduate Alex Kanelakos.
鈥淐o-op is the best way to get your foot in the door at NASA,鈥� Jennings said.
Jennings worked as a co-op student at Johnson Space Center for five semesters. She also served as one of NASA鈥檚 educational outreach presenters, helping to organize more than 50 outreach events and speaking to more than 4,500 people about NASA and the work being done at Johnson Space Center. And she continued her outreach at local elementary and middle schools once back in 成人头条.
Urban advantage
Jennings said her one recommendation to any incoming or current WSU student would be to get on-the-job experience before graduation.
She can鈥檛 imagine having gone through college, wanting a job and a career after graduation, and not having used co-op鈥檚 services or found some way to get a job or internship in her field.
Jennings said she learned a lot in class, but to reach her goal, she needed the real-life experience that an internship provides, such as learning practical on-the-job training, communication skills and office professionalism.
She said she also became a better student because of her experiences interning with NASA, and she was able to translate some of her knowledge to her fellow classmates. In turn, those students who worked in 成人头条 gave her their perspective, not just the one she was getting working outside of 成人头条 at a large organization.
Jennings also points to the urban location of WSU as a benefit to herself and other students.
成人头条 isn鈥檛 a typical college town. It has the advantage of having a strong aviation, engineering and entrepreneurial base. Many of 成人头条 State鈥檚 teachers have worked in the industry and have close ties to many local businesses.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got so many resources to pull from because we鈥檙e in 成人头条,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I could get that anywhere else.鈥�