An illustration of NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter flying on Mars

Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars (Illustration): Ingenuity, a technology demonstration experiment, will be the first aircraft to attempt powered, controlled flight on another planet. Ingenuity arrived at Mars on Feb. 18, 2021, attached to the belly of NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Full image and caption ›

Do you like solving problems, working with other people, and making a difference? Consider a career in engineering! NASA engineers may help build a spacecraft to shoot through our solar system or soar above our home planet, or they may fly a helicopter above Mars. April is the month of Ingenuity—when the Mars Helicopter will attempt its first flight. In our three-part series of live webinars, meet some women engineers working on the helicopter at NASA/JPL, who will explain how they got their start, share useful tips, and take audience questions.

Each episode will include a brief helicopter update, then focus on a specific career planning topic--including how to get into engineering, and the benefits of internships, camps, and clubs.

All webinars start at 1 p.m. PDT/4 p.m. EDT.

April 15: Chart Your Path — How to match your interests to career opportunities and plan how to achieve your goals. Speakers from JPL:

  • Kim Steadman, systems engineer
  • Nagin Cox, engineering operations deputy team chief
  • Samantha Hatch, human resources specialist

April 22: Internships and Other Opportunities — Many companies and institutions, including NASA, offer internships where you can work side-by-side with pros, learning as you go. Speakers from JPL:

  • Vandi Verma, chief engineer, robotic operations for the Mars 2020 mission
  • Jessica Gonzales, software systems engineer
  • Ota Lutz, elementary and secondary education lead
  • Leslie Lowes, STEM informal education specialist

April 29: Get Your Ideas Off the Ground — Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Project Manager MiMi Aung and other NASA engineers will explain how they transformed their dreams into reality. Speakers from JPL:

  • MiMi Aung, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter project manager
  • Jessica Samuels, surface systems manager for the Mars 2020 mission
  • Priyanka Sharma, systems engineer for NISAR and president of JPL’s Advisory Council for Women

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