Exploring Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to NASA Goddard Internships

For high school students with a passion for STEM, the NASA Goddard Internship represents an extraordinary opportunity. It provides a platform to engage in cutting-edge research, collaborate with experts, and acquire practical experience. These internships not only bolster college applications but also establish a strong groundwork for future STEM careers. Internships and scholarships, particularly for those keen on engineering, technology, research, and allied STEM domains, unlock avenues for advanced learning, nurture professional networks, and facilitate the exploration of real-world challenges within a nurturing and intellectually stimulating milieu.

What is the NASA Goddard Internship?

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland, is renowned for its pioneering research in Earth science, astrophysics, and planetary science. GSFC's mission revolves around expanding our understanding of Earth, space systems, and the universe. The center offers a variety of internship opportunities for students and professionals, and its Pathways Intern Employment Program (IEP) allows students to gain exposure to NASA’s innovative projects while still in school, potentially leading to future employment. Each year, NASA Goddard welcomes a select group of high school students into its internship program, fostering a close-knit environment with dedicated mentoring and guidance.

As a NASA Goddard intern, you'll be paired with mentors in specialized research or engineering teams, engaging in projects spanning Earth science, astrophysics, and space technology. This immersive experience provides opportunities to work on real projects, preparing you for college-level study and beyond.

Prestige and Impact

The NASA Goddard Internship is highly prestigious, stemming from several factors. Its selective nature ensures that only the most motivated and qualified students are chosen from a nationwide pool of applicants. Interns have the unique opportunity to collaborate directly with NASA scientists and engineers, contributing to real-world space missions and projects. This level of responsibility and the chance to influence ongoing research is rare, offering students a platform to develop skills highly valued in academic and professional STEM circles.

The Goddard Space Flight Center's global recognition for its contributions to space science and technology further enhances the internship's prestige. While citizenship restrictions limit the applicant pool, the experience, mentorship, and career advantages it provides make it an outstanding opportunity for any high school student interested in pursuing a STEM career.

Read also: A Look at NASA Intern Compensation

Key Requirements and Eligibility

To be eligible for the NASA Goddard Internship, applicants typically need to meet certain requirements:

Citizenship: Applicants generally need to be U.S. citizens.
Age: Most programs require applicants to be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
Enrollment: Enrollment or acceptance in a half-time or greater educational program is usually required.
GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is typically expected, with competitive applicants often having higher GPAs, especially in STEM subjects.
Work Hours: Completion of 640 work hours before finishing educational requirements.
Academic Record: A strong academic record, particularly in math and science, is essential.
Interest in STEM: Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in STEM is crucial.
English Proficiency: Communicate proficiently in English.

Program Structure and Duration

Internships are offered with flexible duration options, structured either with or without a “Not-To-Exceed” (NTE) date. Summer applications typically open in early spring, while semester internships may have rolling deadlines. Internships are listed on USAJOBS, where you can search and apply. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center offers part-time and full-time internships during the spring, fall and summer sessions where students engage in NASA’s mission. These internships integrate participants with career professionals emphasizing mentor-directed, degree-related, real-time world task completion. During the internship participants engage in scientific or engineering research, development, and operations activities. In addition, there are non-technical internship opportunities to engage in professional activities which support NASA business and administrative processes. NASA Internships can be full or part-time, conducted at a NASA facility, contractor facility, or anywhere activities are ongoing to advance NASA’s missions.

Costs and Compensation

There is no cost to participate in the NASA Goddard Internship. In fact, it is a paid internship and comes with a stipend or hourly wage, depending on the position you apply to. Interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. This includes locating their own housing options and paying for their housing. Your center location and housing options will determine if you need a car. At most centers, unless you find housing within walking distance, you will most likely need a car.

Eight Compelling Reasons to Apply

Early Career Insight at a World-Leading Space Center: Interns contribute to real missions and projects at a renowned space center, gaining invaluable career preparation. Goddard’s team of researchers and engineers lead some of the world’s most important scientific investigations.
Hands-on Learning with Advanced Technology: Access to high-tech facilities and tools in space research and observation provides hands-on experience in scientific innovation. Working with NASA provides access to high-tech facilities and tools in space research and observation that few other internships can match, equipping you with hands-on experience in scientific innovation.
In-depth Exposure to NASA’s Research Divisions: Interns explore various fields like Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, and planetary science, gaining insights into NASA’s diverse research areas. Interns at Goddard can explore various fields, including Earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, and planetary science, gaining knowledge and insights into NASA’s diverse research areas.
A Comprehensive Mentorship Program: Mentors provide guidance, advice, and support, fostering a collaborative environment and opening doors to networking within NASA’s scientific community. You will be paired with a mentor who provides guidance, advice, and support throughout the internship, fostering a collaborative environment and opening doors to networking within NASA’s scientific community.
Pathway to Future Employment with NASA: The Pathways Program offers a potential route to permanent roles after completing educational requirements, provided performance is satisfactory. The Pathways Program offers a pathway to future NASA employment. If you perform well, you may be converted to permanent roles after completing your educational requirements.
Project-Based Learning on Real NASA Missions: Interns work on tangible projects, from developing data analysis software to contributing to mission-critical observations, previewing college-level research. You will get to work on tangible projects, from developing data analysis software to contributing to mission-critical observations. This experience offers a preview of potential college-level research and project work.
Exclusive Access to NASA Events and Facilities: Participation in exclusive events, workshops, and tours enhances the experience and provides a deeper understanding of NASA’s scientific goals. As a NASA Goddard intern, you will be able to participate in exclusive events, workshops, and tours, enhancing your experience and providing a deeper understanding of the broader scientific goals NASA pursues.
Paid Internship with Academic and Professional Benefits: Financial support is provided while gaining practical experience and building an impressive resume. Unlike many high school internships, the NASA Goddard program is paid, offering you financial support as you gain practical experience and build an impressive resume.

Potential Challenges

While the NASA Goddard Internship offers significant advantages, it's important to consider potential challenges:

Competitive Application: Positions are limited, making the application process highly competitive. Positions are limited, and the application process is highly competitive.
Commitment Requirements: The internship demands a significant time investment, potentially overlapping with school and extracurricular activities. The internship requires significant time investment and commitment, which may overlap with school and extracurricular activities.
Location-Specific: The internship is based in Greenbelt, Maryland, requiring out-of-state interns to arrange temporary housing. The internship is based in Greenbelt, Maryland, which may require out-of-state interns to arrange temporary housing.

Additional NASA Opportunities for High School Students

Beyond the Goddard Internship, NASA offers other programs for high school students:

Read also: Interning at NASA JPL

STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship: This program, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Space Research, exposes students to Earth and space research, enhancing their understanding of climate sciences. The competitive SEES internship is a collaboration between NASA and the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Space Research. This program provides selected students with exposure to Earth and space research, helping them better understand climate sciences.
Goddard Institute for Space Studies' Climate Change Research Initiative: This initiative allows students to partner with NASA scientists and engineers on climate change-related projects. Another amazing opportunity that allows high school students the opportunity to immerse themselves in climate change research is the Goddard Institute for Space Studies' Climate Change Research Initiative. Here, students partner with interdisciplinary teams of NASA scientists and engineers on climate change-related projects.
High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) Program: This yearlong program begins with a five-month online course in space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics, culminating in a summer experience mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. If a summer-long opportunity leaves you wanting more, then the yearlong High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program might be just what you’re looking for. The program kicks off in the fall with a five-month online journey through space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics. Students who stand out will earn an invite to Moonshot-a five-day virtual summer experience where they’ll be mentored by actual NASA scientists and engineers. (Which seems pretty awesome.)
NASA DEVELOP: This program brings together students to work on interdisciplinary research projects, applying NASA Earth observations to environmental and community concerns. Students wanting a broader exposure to using their STEM skills to solve real-world problems might want to explore NASA DEVELOP. This is a national program that brings together students to work on interdisciplinary research projects, applying NASA Earth observations to environmental and community concerns focused on nine thematic areas: Agriculture, Climate, Disasters, Ecological Conservation, Energy, Health & Air Quality, Urban Development, Water Resources, and Wildland Fires.
Aviation Concept Design Experience: This program offers high school students the chance to work with NASA engineers on conceptual designs for future aircraft and aviation systems. The Aviation Concept Design Experience offers high school students the chance to work with NASA engineers on conceptual designs for future aircraft and aviation systems. Students learn about aeronautics principles and design methodologies and use them to propose solutions to “wicked” problems.
NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge: The NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge will encourage research and development of new technologies for future mission planning and crewed space missions to other worlds.
NASA Student Launch: Student Launch is a research-based, competitive, experiential exploration activity. It strives to provide relevant, cost-effective research and development of rocket propulsion systems. This project offers multiple challenges reaching a broad audience of middle and high schools, colleges, and universities across the nation.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that NASA only offers engineering internships. In reality, NASA needs employees with a variety of knowledge and skills, including engineers, mathematicians, scientists, accountants, writers, IT specialists, project managers, and program analysts. Interns may support a variety of business and program management work, including procurement, budgeting, accounting, information technology, and security.

Application Tips

To increase your chances of acceptance, focus on strengthening your academic record in STEM subjects and pursue related extracurricular activities. NASA Internships are educational hands-on opportunities that provide unique NASA-related research and operational experiences for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students as well as educators. These internships integrate participants with career professionals emphasizing mentor-directed, degree-related, real-time world task completion.

Some NASA internships are funded within the centers themselves; others require outside funding through Space Grant Consortia. MSGC strongly encourages you to apply early. Students who are funded at NASA Centers through MSGC will need to provide a report within 30 days after the end of their internship and will be expected to make a presentation about their experience - either a poster or a talk - at the MSGC Fall Conference following their internship.

Notable Alumni

Former interns have gone on to achieve great success, including:

Aaron Yazzie: A former intern at JPL, Aaron Yazzie, inspires a new generation of Diné scientists and engineers, proving their voices have an essential place in the story of the cosmos.
Clare Luckey: Former intern Clare Luckey was selected as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30. Her hard work and determination has landed her at the forefront of space exploration as she helps plan how the first astronauts will land on Mars.

Read also: Your Guide to NASA Internships

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