Professional Tips and Tricks

 How to Dress (For Guys)!

It is very important to dress properly as an intern. Make sure you do not wear shorts! I did this the first
day of my internship at NASA and it definitely did not go well. Here are some tips on what to wear to an internship at NASA.

1. Wear dress shoes not sneakers
2. Wear polo shirts or a button up shirt not a T-shirt
3. Wear dress pants not jeans


Tips and Tricks

#1: Develop your elevator talk

Talking to senior employees on the elevator can reveal the interesting and new projects offered at NASA. Furthermore, being prepared to talk about your internship can boost the number of connections you make. Most people at NASA work on multiple projects at once and most projects are team projects. Building your connections can greatly influence the projects you work on and you can make great strides in your career by working on reputable projects.

Some Relevant Things to Mention:
1. Who you are
2. What project you’re working on
3. A significant accomplishment you’ve made

#2: Talk to bosses during office social events

At NASA there are plenty of social events celebrating the history and legacy of the agency. For example, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center a celebration called Goddard Day occurs once a year. There is food, festivities and music. This is a great opportunity to interact with coworkers and colleagues in a social atmosphere. Talking to bosses can also let you know what other branches are working on and can keep you in the loop of new and interesting projects.


#3: Introduce yourself when in another location of your company

At NASA, employees have the opportunity to travel to different NASA centers and NASA affiliated companies around the country. This is a great opportunity to meet people you would never get the chance to meet otherwise. Also, NASA reimburses you for your travels and even gives you a meal stipend. Furthermore, since the projects that NASA engages in have a global impact, there is an opportunity to travel to other countries as well.

#4: Speak to outside groups

Since NASA works with other government agencies and hires contractors from other companies, there is an opportunity to meet people from other companies and there is a possibility to work for a partner company to NASA if you would like to do so in the long run.

#5. Write for professional publications

By getting published you can put your name out to the community as a reputable source. Publications allow you to showcase the research you are conducting and display your skills and talents. Also, by being published in college, you can greatly increase your chances of getting into the graduate school of your choice. This is an opportunity you should not pass up.


#6: Moderate a panel discussion

While working for a government agency you will most likely run into bureaucracy you will have to work through as an intern. Participating in panel discussions can allow you to be the change you wish to see in your workplace. Participating in panel discussions is like voting--it allows you to change the policies and rules you work with on a daily basis. As an intern I participated in a panel discussion on supercomputing and I do not regret taking part in it.


#7: Serve as board member or officer of a professional association

This may be hard to do as an intern but this is another way to actively interact with your workplace. In order to make a difference, joining a board or association may be wise.

Source: Adapted from http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-tips-for-increasing-your-professional-visibility-and-exposure/231
Accessed: April 2011