Next Gen STEM for Careers
Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities
NASA is uniquely positioned to serve as a catalyst and national convener, igniting and accelerating the development of America’s aerospace workforce. This pipeline is essential for expanding U.S. manufacturing capabilities, maintaining global leadership in space, and strengthening national security.
The aerospace industry offers outstanding career opportunities for skilled technical workers who possess strong technological, scientific, and engineering capabilities—many of which do not require a bachelor’s degree for entry.
These careers provide several compelling advantages:
• Higher median salaries compared to other occupations that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
• Lower unemployment rates than workers in similar roles with comparable educational requirements.
Virtual Career Connections
Provide opportunities to discover programs at community colleges, trade schools, and colleges/universities.
Students engage with NASA professionals and industry experts to explore how diverse education pathways—from technical training and apprenticeships to engineering degrees—can lead to high-demand careers in space exploration. These experiences inspire students and help build a strong pipeline of skilled workers prepared to support America’s space exploration goals while developing rewarding, well‑paid careers.
Career Technical Education Days
NASA seeks to offer day-long opportunities at NASA centers to high school and community college students who are actively participating in career and technical programs.
The Career Technical Education (CTE) Days experience will introduce students to essential technical skills, daily job responsibilities, and the diverse educational and training pathways that support NASA’s technical workforce. Each CTE Day will feature opportunities such as facility tours, authentic hands-on activities, discussions with subject matter experts, and more.
In addition, an hour-long virtual career connection will be offered, expanding access to students who are not located near a NASA center.
Aerospace State Hubs
NASA seeks to establish state or regionally focused hubs that will serve as strategic centers for developing and sustaining a skilled technical workforce aligned with aerospace industry and NASA mission needs.
Serving as a focal point for NASA, a state’s Hub facilitates coordination between NASA industry partners, education providers, and state/regional economic development agencies to accelerate workforce readiness efforts by creating clear pathways for students to pursue high needs skilled technical workforce careers.
NASA Workforce and Careers
Highlights exciting and unexpected jobs at NASA
Use these resources to explore the wide range of careers that support the agency’s missions—far beyond the familiar roles of rocket scientists and astronauts—and to discover how each person’s path to NASA is as unique as the work they do.
Virtual Career Connections
NASA missions serve as a powerful catalyst, inspiring students to pursue careers in aerospace technology.
Students connect with NASA professionals and industry experts to discover how diverse educational pathways-from technical training and apprenticeships to engineering degrees-lead to in-demand careers/jobs in space exploration.
Through NASA-unique virtual career connections, students gain direct exposure to the cutting-edge technologies and mission-critical work that will power humanity’s return to the Moon and eventual journey to Mars.
These experiences can inspire students creating a robust pipeline of skilled workers ready to support America’s space exploration goals while building rewarding, well-compensated careers.
Virtual Career Connection Opportunities
Discover programs at community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities. Participants interact live with NASA innovators and people changing the world of aerospace technology today.
Where Community College Technical Education Meets Space Innovation!
NASA is proud to celebrate Community College Month! Engage with a NASA apprentice who will discuss the valuable role community colleges can play in becoming a trade professional in aerospace and space exploration. Discover how community college education can be your gateway to exciting opportunities in aerospace. Event Date: April 9. Registration Deadline: March 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apprenticeships: Building Skills, Building Spacecraft
Join our Virtual Career Connection to speak directly with a NASA trade professional who will share insights into apprenticeships in aerospace and space exploration. Learn how apprenticeships provide hands-on training, mentorship, and a potential pathway to building a rewarding career in aerospace. Event Date: April 23. Registration Deadline: April 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Career and Technical Exploration
Students are invited to a virtual panel discussion featuring the technical workforce from NASA's Langley Research Center. Hear directly from engineering technicians and industry professionals as they share insights into their careers, the exciting pathways in engineering technology and skilled trades, and the essential skills that drive innovation in aerospace. Event Date: April 29. Registration Deadline: April 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Careers in Aircraft Maintenance and Operations
NASA invites students to explore exciting career pathways in engineering technology and the technical workforce! This immersive event is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and problem-solvers through hands-on experiences and real-world applications. Event Date: May 7. Registration Deadline: April 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Career Technical Education Days
NASA seeks to offer day-long opportunities at NASA centers to high school and community college students who are actively participating in career and technical programs. This experience will provide students with insights on essential critical skills, daily job responsibilities, various educational and training pathways utilized by NASA’s technical workforce. Each CTE day will offer various experiences such as tours, authentic hands-on activities, conversations with subject matter experts, etc.
As an additional feature of CTE days, an hour long virtual career connection will be offered providing experiences to students not located near a NASA center.
Opportunities at NASA Centers
Igniting Futures in Technical and Skilled Trades
Join us at NASA's Langley Research Center for an immersive, hands-on experience designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and problem-solvers. Event Date: April 29. Registration Deadline: April 1, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
CTE Day at Goddard Space Flight Center
Autonomous operations are critical to achieving complex NASA missions and advancing space exploration. In this event, students will hear directly from Goddard subject matter experts about their career journeys to NASA, what a typical day in their role looks like, and the diverse pathways available for students pursuing technical careers at the agency. Event Date: June 2. Registration Deadline: April 28, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Aerospace State Hubs
NASA Aerospace State Hubs for Skilled Technical Workforce
The rapid expansion of the space economy and renewed national priorities in human space exploration have created an urgent demand for a robust skilled technical workforce—individuals in critical science- and engineering-based roles who do not require a bachelor’s degree. To address nationwide shortages and ensure U.S. competitiveness in aerospace and defense, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement is launching the NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hub) initiative.
NASA seeks to establish state or regionally focused hubs that will serve as strategic centers for developing and sustaining a skilled technical workforce aligned with aerospace industry and NASA mission needs.
Serving as a focal point for NASA, a state’s Hub facilitates coordination between NASA industry partners, education providers, and state/regional economic development agencies to accelerate workforce readiness efforts by creating clear pathways for students to pursue high needs skilled technical workforce careers.
Funding Opportunities
NASA Workforce and Careers
Use these resources to explore the wide range of careers that support the agency’s missions—far beyond the familiar roles of rocket scientists and astronauts—and to discover how each person’s path to NASA is as unique as the work they do.
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