Students Success Stories
Steve Brookman
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Co-op/Intern Employer:
NASA, Undergraduate Student Research Program
Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Why did you choose to participate in an internship?
I wanted to use some of my learned aerospace knowledge and experience some "real world" applications of what I'd seen in class. I also wanted to be able to spend a summer in a new place and meet new people.
What were some exciting projects you had the opportunity to work on at your internship?
I worked for the Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) studying Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicles. At the end of the session, I completed a first-order design of a manned mission to the L1 Lagrange point between the Earth and the Moon. In concordance with the Shuttle-Derived approach to future NASA vehicles, the design called for a four segment Solid Rocket Booster and a Space Shuttle Main Engine for boosting to Earth orbit.
While working at KSC, I was exposed to many elements of Space Shuttle programs and processes. Among my many tours, I visited launch facilities, booster assembly and refurbishment facilities, the Vehicle Assembly Building, and the Orbiter Processing Facilities. I saw just about all of KSC's Shuttle processes, including Orbiter maintenance and inspection, booster stacking, vehicle assembly, Shuttle rollout to the launch pad, the launch of STS-114, booster return to KSC, and preparation for future launches. It was truly a blessing to have had such an incredible educational experience. Of course, the launch was the most exciting.
Was there anything unique about your experience that you can share?
As another exciting finish to the program, I was selected by NASA and USRP to represent NASA's student programs and show my summer work at the International Astronautical Congress in Fukuoka, Japan. The conference took place during one week in October, where I was able to experience a truly international gathering. I met with engineers and scientists from Canada, England, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, and of course, Japan. There were many more countries represented, so my list could go on and on. I attended presentations about space exploration and technological breakthroughs. It was interesting to see the Aerospace world from so many different perspectives.
Beyond the walls of the conference, my group's free time was spent experiencing many aspects of Japanese life, as we had a wonderful time eating traditional Japanese food and touring historic Japanese shrines and temples.
Your internship was outside the DC metro area; how did you find housing?
I made some connections with local real estate agencies and made a ton of phone calls. If you keep looking, you'll eventually find what you want. The internet will always help for pictures and contact information.
How has this experience enhanced your academic experience and/or shaped your career goals?
It has made me want to continue learning, as I realized there is so much more I want to understand beyond a Bachelor's degree. I hope to continue with graduate courses, whether I am working full time or not.
What advice would you give to other engineering students seeking a co-op or internship?
A co-op or internship provides an opportunity to see what the real world of engineering can be like, and it can give you insight on a company or agency that you might consider as part of your post-graduate career. It's also nice to be able to sample an employer for a few months.
Take an internship or co-op as an opportunity to network with people who will be looking to hire new engineers when the time is right. These people can be great references or great connections for a new position in their company or another one you might apply to.
