Ask Me Everything - Jenna Foertsch @ NASA Johnson Space Center
Ask Me Everything - Jenna Foertsch @ NASA's Johnson Space Center
More about Jenna Foertsch
Jenna Kay Foertsch currently works in the Office of Planning, Integration, and Environmental at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She is also currently on rotation within the NASA robotics directorate. Originally from Minnesota, Jenna Kay graduated from the University of Minnesota with a special focus on the integration of STEM and business concepts. A recipient of the Brooke Owens Fellowship, Jenna Kay has an extensive background in freelance consulting, high powered rocketry, mentoring, robotics, and asking the hard questions. She is the founder and director of Hot Nozzle Society, an organization created to foster and sustain a more vibrant and diverse rocketry and aerospace scene. Jenna Kay is an alumni of FIRST FRC team 3184 and a current mentor for FRC team 118, the Robonauts based out of Johnson Space Center.
Brought to you in partnership with FIRST a global robotics community preparing young people for the future. To learn more on how to get involved with FIRST and their robotics competition check them out here!
Best Answers
-
- You’re going to run into a lot of people with a lot of bad opinions. Keep your head high and find a community that supports you.
- Passion is absolutely a huge motivator of success. I like to do things well and I like to do things that matter :)
- I wouldn’t say I move “up” as much as I inch closer and closer to things that align with my values and passions :)
- My mother, past mentors and teachers.
- I would’ve learned hard skills at a younger age.
0 -
On behalf of FIRST, thank you :)
0 -
I do in fact know how to waterjet. Impressive, I know.
0 -
Depends what you’re most passionate about. Both are super needed. If I absolutely had to pick one, i’d pick electrical.
0 -
- It was definitely hard, especially because I had so many things I wanted to do outside of school. I just had to keep reminding myself of my end goal.
- I absolutely had to work! I had to pay for school myself so i’ve always had a steady job. Knowing how little time I had between school/work/robotics, I had to make sure that my free time was spent very intentionally doing self care :)
- It feels like a dream.
0 -
Absolutely. I would not be at NASA or where I am today without discovering FIRST
1 -
It depends what part of robotics you're doing, but for project management or systems engineering - there is usually more paperwork/writing!
0 -
A few answers to your questions:
re pronouns: I go by she/they and it's been hard for me learning to speak up and let people know these are my pronouns. I try to make it best practice to ask others for their pronouns in private to normalize this behavior.
Advice for those who don't think they're "smart enough": I consistently feel like the least intelligent person in the room at NASA. It is VERY intimidating. But there is one thing I always do that makes the difference - I show up. Show up for things, volunteer, take on projects. People always ask how I got to NASA and I frequently reply "I just applied" because most people take themselves out of the running before others get the chance to. If you have passion and you let that show in your resume and interviews, it will be noticed. You can teach skills, it's hard to teach passion.
3
Answers
-
Hello,
I see that you are the founder and director of Hot Nozzle Society, are there any available opportunities within this society for hands on internships and or learning that can be done virtually? I am extremely interested in Aerospace Engineering and have been a participant before Covid 19 with my high school in Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) and Student Lead Initiative (SLI). Thank you.
3 -
'Ello! Nice work @dcadi starting off the discussion! Here are my questions:
- What's it like working at NASA? Is it a lot of pressure?
- What sort of robotics do you create? Is it difficult to do?
- What does it take for someone to get into robotics (from the perspective of someone who has never done it before)?
- Do you think your choice of college (The University of Minnesota) helped you land your position within NASA?
- Did you always know this was something that you wanted to do (work at NASA/be involved in robotics)?
- Did you know what you wanted to major in?
That's all the questions I have for now! Thank you for taking the time to answer them, and I look forward to hearing your answers!
2 -
What is a common misconception about working for NASA?
What is your favorite project you've done?
What was your dream job as a kid? Was it anything like your job now?
What advice would you give someone who wants to work for NASA?
1 -
Agreed! You have also been super involved in these Q&As. Great job! :)
1 -
Not career related, but I really love her hair!!!
5 -
Wow, awesome!
What made you realize this is the career path you wanted to take?
1 -
Hi! I'm super interested in the study of astronomy and i wanted to be a doctor for NASA, what are the chances that I could go to space? What kinds of degrees in collage do you think I need to get, to be not just an astronaut but a doctor and be able to get into NASA?
1 -
Hi Jenna! I'm interested in work at NASA, and study aerospace engineering. I'm currently in 10th grade, but I'm from Mexico, what do you recommend me to do about that? How can I get a job in NASA related with what I want to study?
0 -
Hello there, Jenna!
My question is, when it comes to NASA, do they actually brush over the UFO's and structures on certain planets to hide the truth from humanity?
0 -
Hello!
My question is, how easy(or hard) is it to move around positions and specialties in your field? Are the processes long or simple? Is there normally extensive training required to switch or are you trained once you are on the job?
Thank you!
2 -
Do you have any leads on STEM internships?
0 -
Greetings,
What are some of the hardest challenges you’ve encountered during your educational journey and works? And what did you do to overcome/conquer these obstacles?
0 -
Does it really take knowing a lot of math to be an astronaut?
What are the kinds of mathematics that are required, and would you happen to know how often they use it on their missions?
1 -
What are some of the challenges you faced the most while building up in your career?
1
Categories
- 7.2K All Categories
- 336 Nursing Club
- 92 STEM Season
- Categories
- 2.4K Tallo Community
- 7 Welcome to the Tallo Community
- 90 Event Ideas
- 448 Higher Education
- 1.4K High School Life
- 70 Healthcare Month
- 244 Scholarships + Financial Aid
- 11 Scholarships 360
- 1.5K Career Exploration
- 294 Health Science
- 33 Engineering
- 63 Entrepreneur
- 73 Science
- 38 Technology
- 31 Mathematics
- 133 Arts
- 10 Architecture & Construction
- 70 Education & Training
- 34 Audio & Video
- 20 Finance & Insurance
- 23 Government & Public Administration
- 54 New Group Voting
- For You
- Unanswered Questions
