In a typical year, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory brings in about 1,000 interns from schools across the country to take part in projects that range from building spacecraft to studying climate change to developing software for space exploration. One of 10 NASA centers in the United States, the Southern California laboratory receives thousands of applications. So what can students do to stand out and set themselves on the right trajectory?
We asked interns and the people who bring them to JPL about their tips for students and anyone interested in a STEM career or working at the Laboratory.
First up: Learn about the kinds of opportunities available as well as where and how to apply.
The World of JPL Internships
If you found this article, you're probably already somewhat familiar with the work that goes on at JPL. But at a place that employs more than 4,000 people across hundreds of teams, it can be hard to keep track of it all.
In a broad sense, JPL explores Earth, other planets, and the universe beyond with robotic spacecraft – meaning no humans on board. But along with the engineers and scientists who design and build spacecraft and study the data they return, there are thousands of others working on all the in-between pieces that make Earth and space exploration possible and accessible to all. This includes software developers, machinists, microbiologists, writers, video producers, designers, finance and information technology professionals, and more.
Some of the best ways to learn about the Laboratory's work – and get a sense for the kinds of internships on offer – are to follow JPL News and social media channels, take part in virtual and in-person events and keep up on the latest research. There are also a host of articles and videos online about interns and employees (search the latest content by “Jet Propulsion Laboratory”) and the kinds of work they do.
While STEM internships make up the majority of the Laboratory's offerings, there are a handful of opportunities for students studying other subjects as well.
Academic Engagement Office Internships
The largest number of internships can be found on the JPL Academic Engagement Office (previously, the Education Office) website. These opportunities, for students studying STEM, are offered through about a dozen programs catered to college students of various academic and demographic backgrounds.
Students apply to a program, or programs, rather than a specific opening. (See the program details for more information about where to apply and what you will need.) It's then up to the folks with open opportunities, the mentors, to select applicants who are the best match for their project. Applying to a specific program allows the application to be seen by a broad group of hiring managers and mentors and be considered for more opportunities as a result.
Shirin Nataneli says she wouldn't have known there was an internship for her at the Laboratory were it not for a suggestion to apply from her professor. In 2020, Nataneli graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor's degree in biology. She was on the pre-med track, studying for the MCAT, when she decided to take a couple of courses in computer science.
"I got sucked in," says the Santa Monica College student and JPL intern, who used computer science to help her team classify extreme bacteria that can survive on spacecraft. "I didn't even know there was an intersection between computer science and biology, but somehow I found a group at JPL that does just that."
College students who are interested in space exploration but studying other fields, such as business, communications, and finance, as well as those studying STEM, can apply to the JPL Year-Round Internship Program.
The When, What, and Where
Opportunities require a minimum 3.00 GPA, U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status, as well as an initial commitment of 10 weeks. All opportunities pay a stipend. Applicants must be enrolled in a college undergraduate or graduate program to be eligible. (See “The Pre-College Trajectory” section below to learn about what high-school and younger students can do to prepare for a future JPL internship or STEM career.)
JPL primarily offers on-site internships, with remote or hybrid internships available in some programs which may include a 10-week on-site prerequisite.
Most programs offer a supplemental allowance to students attending universities outside the 50-mile radius of JPL, so be sure to check the program details if traveling to or living in the Los Angeles area could be tricky financially.
Full-time and part-time opportunities can be found throughout the year with most openings in the summertime for full-time interns, meaning 40 hours per week. The internship program managers recommend applying no later than November or December for summer internships. Applicants can usually expect to hear back by April if they are going to receive an offer for summer, but it's always a good idea to keep your application up to date to be considered for school-year opportunities.
You may also want to consider these opportunities, especially if you're looking for internships at other NASA centers, you're a foreign citizen, or you're interested in a postdoc position:
- NASA Internships
- JPL Visiting Student Researcher Program (international students eligible)
- JPL Postdoctoral Study
The most important thing is to not count yourself out. We do not expect students to come in knowing everything. We are looking for demonstrated problem-solving ability, teamwork, and leadership potential. Technical skills are great, but they are an added bonus.
More on that next, plus advice from JPL mentors on the skills and experience they look for from potential interns.
Skills for Space Explorers
JPL is known for doing the impossible, whether it's sending spacecraft to the farthest reaches of our solar system or landing a 2,000-pound rover on Mars. But potential applicants may be surprised to learn that reputation wasn't earned by always having the right answer on the first try – or even the second, third, or fourth.
In fact, the Laboratory has always had a penchant for experimentation, starting with its founders - students! In the 1930s, the Caltech students testing rockets in the university’s stairwells had so many colossal (and dangerous) failures that they were banished to a dry riverbed north of Pasadena, which is now the site of JPL. Eventually, their rockets were successful and the laboratory they founded went on to build and launch the first American space satellite and send dozens of spacecraft to worlds throughout the solar system. But that trial-and-error attitude still permeates the Laboratory today.
As a result, potential interns who show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, overcome obstacles, and work as part of a team often stand out more than those with academic achievements alone.
Standing Out
In an informal survey of JPL mentors, respondents most often cited problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills as well as passion for learning and grit as the soft skills they look for when considering potential interns. Respondents added that students who can provide specific examples of these skills on their resume – and speak to them in an interview – stand out the most.
That doesn't necessarily have to mean leading your school’s robotics club or serving as your geology professor's teaching assistant, although those things don't hurt. But also consider less traditional examples, such as how critical thinking helps you overcome challenges while rock climbing or how you used leadership and teamwork to organize your friends to create a group costume for Comic Con.
"Students who share a link to their GitHub repository or online portfolio stand out to me because it shows they took the initiative and took time to build, develop, and create something on their own," says K'mar Grant-Smith, a JPL mentor who leads a team of developers in supporting and maintaining applications for the Laboratory's missions. "That vouches for you better than saying, 'I know these [coding] languages, and I took these courses.'"
Laurie Barge is a JPL scientist who co-leads an astrobiology lab exploring the possibility of life beyond Earth. The lab annually hosts about a dozen students and postdocs. Barge says that the top qualities she looks for in an intern are an expressed interest in her research and JPL as a whole as well as teamwork skills. "I look for students who are excited about the fact that they'll be working with 10 other students and postdocs and collaborating with other people on papers and abstracts."
Teamwork is also key for students working in engineering, software, or any other capacity across the Laboratory. When it comes to designing missions to go where nothing has gone before, collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams is a must.
In terms of technical skills, knowledge of coding languages is the most sought after, with Python, MATLAB, and C languages leading the pack. And in certain groups, like the one that helps identify where it's safe to land spacecraft on Mars, experience with specialized tools like Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, can help applicants stand out.
Still, for many mentors, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and be proactive are far more important than any technical skill.
"You don't have to be the most technically savvy person. If you have the initiative, the drive, and some experience, I find that to be more important than knowing 16 different [coding] languages," says Grant-Smith. "JPL is a unique place full of very smart people, but we're not good at what we do just because we have the know-how. We also have the drive and a passion for it."
Getting Involved
So you're a rock-climbing Red Planet enthusiast who likes to create "Dune"-inspired stillsuits when you're not busy at your part-time job making frappuccinos with your fellow baristas. How do you improve the chances this information will land on a JPL mentor's desk?
In a sentence: Build a strong network. So says Rebecca Gio of what made all the difference when she was struggling to find her academic groove right after high school. After a year spent repeating classes, changing schools, and feeling discouraged about what was next, Gio discovered what she needed to change her trajectory. She joined clubs and organizations that aligned with her career goals, formed study groups with her peers, found a mentor who could help her navigate everything from college classes to internship opportunities, and wasn't afraid to ask when she had a question.
Those changes transformed Gio's path, leading to her studying computer science at Cal Poly Pomona, and, as an intern at JPL, testing the software that will serve as the brains of a spacecraft designed to explore Jupiter's moon Europa.
"Being part of a community and being with people who have gone through similar experiences and can push you to do better, I think that that is just super motivating," says Gio.
JPL Academic Engagement Program Managers agree. “Along with academic achievements, we’re looking for students with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences who can work collaboratively to learn, adapt to new situations, and solve problems.”
Jenny Tieu catches up with Brandon Murphy, who came to the Laboratory as an intern in 2016 and was hired full-time soon after.
To that end, students should get involved in campus STEM clubs and communities, NASA challenges and activities, and volunteer opportunities, which offer career experiences, introduce students to a network of peers and professionals, and look great on a resume.
"We see a lot of great allyship with interns and research fellows telling their classmates about their experience at JPL, how to apply, and what to expect. We foster deep relationships with our partner campuses and their faculty as well." In other words, students may not have to look farther than their own professors, campus info sessions, or career fairs to learn about opportunities at the Laboratory.
A career fair is where Gio first connected with JPL's University Recruiting team after what she jokingly calls "stalking" them from LinkedIn to Handshake to the Grace Hopper conference – where she eventually handed over her resume. "Just get familiar with where JPL is going to be and try to make sure that you're there," says Gio.
In the sciences especially, those connections can also be made through a shared interest in a particular area of research. Barge says that most of the students she brings to JPL find out about her research from a peer or professor, exploring the lab's website, or from reading papers her team has published. Then, they reach out to her directly. This way she can create a position suited to a student's skills while also finding out if their interests mesh with the team.
"I want to know why they're interested in JPL and not a different institution," says Barge. "Why do they want to work with me and not another person at JPL? Why do they want to do this research and what specifically would they like to gain from this internship experience? I'm trying to figure out who really, really wants this particular opportunity."
As Gio points out, it's often the same advice that applies whether you're looking for an internship at JPL or in STEM or a future career.
"If you really want it, if you really want to be a STEM professional, make the most of your education, and find ways to apply those skills," says Gio. "I made sure that I was a part of campus groups where I was doing extra projects outside of schoolwork. I made sure that I was talking to other students to learn what they were doing. There's a lot of opportunities now to learn online for free. If there's something that you think would interest you, just go and do it."
Next, we'll share more ways students can prepare for a future internship or career in STEM before they get to college, plus resources parents and teachers can use to get younger students practicing STEM skills.
The Pre-College Trajectory
First, let's address one of the most common questions we get when it comes to internships at JPL. As of this writing, the Laboratory does not offer an open call for high-school interns.
That said, there's still plenty students can and should do before college or when they're just entering college to explore STEM fields, get hands-on experience, and practice the skills they'll need for a future internship or career.
Exploring STEM Fields
During high school and summer breaks we suggest that students focus on college preparatory work, honing their academic skills, and involving themselves in other ways. For example, they can join a robotics, science or engineering team or club, learn different computer programming languages, or take relevant college preparatory classes at their school or local college.
NASA hosts student challenges, with opportunities to interact with scientists and even name spacecraft.
Explore free events offered by groups such as NASA's Solar System Ambassadors and Night Sky Network as well as programs at museums, science centers, and libraries in their community. Let your teachers know they can request a presentation by a Solar System Ambassador, or by a NASA speaker.
NASA also offers a number of citizen science projects that give students (and adults) opportunities to contribute to real research, from identifying near-Earth asteroids to observing and cataloging clouds to searching for planets beyond our solar system.
Finally, some companies do offer high school internships, so it may be worthwhile doing an internet search for “high school internships STEM” and/or asking local businesses.
Building Foundational Skills
All of the above can help students explore whether they might be interested in STEM, but it's also important that kids start practicing the skills they will need to succeed academically and in a future internship or career.
Students should practice what are called scientific habits of mind, learning how to think critically, problem solve and do so in a methodical way as well as learning to examine data to determine trends without personal bias.
One way students can gain skills and knowledge directly related to a future STEM internship or career is by trying these educational projects and activities offered free online from the JPL Education Resources. (Teachers can explore this page to find out how to turn these activities into standards-aligned classroom lessons.) Activities include engineering projects and science experiments as well as math and coding challenges, all of which feature the latest NASA missions and science. NASA also has many learning resources to explore; we particularly recommend Kids Science and Space Place.
Parents and guardians can also help their kids develop foundational skills by allowing them to explore and tinker at home. That persistence and determination in overcoming obstacles will come in handy throughout their education and career path, whether it's learning how to code, getting into a robotics club in high school, applying and reapplying for internships, or figuring out how to land a spacecraft on Mars.
Similarly, it's never too early to start learning those ever-important soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. There's no single or right place to gain these skills, rather they come from a range of experiences that can include a school project, a part-time job, or a volunteer opportunity.
As students launch into college, start building a support network and take classes in the field you're interested in to see if it's the right fit - though try not to overload yourself the first year.
After that, internships, whether they're at JPL, NASA or elsewhere, will give you an even deeper look at what a future career might be like. When the time comes, you'll know exactly where to look to set yourself on the right trajectory.
