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For every NASA astronaut who serves as a public face of human spaceflight, there are thousands of people working behind the scenes to make the agency\u2019s missions a success. Even the smallest tasks impact NASA\u2019s ability to explore and innovate for the benefit of humanity.<\/p>\n
The team of administrative assistants and secretaries who work at the Johnson Space Center in Houston are acutely aware of this fact.<\/p>\n
Whether they are coordinating meetings, arranging travel, or preparing materials and information for Johnson\u2019s leaders, this team of over 90 individuals takes pride in providing critical support for the agency\u2019s programs and managers. \u201cWe work hand-in-hand with management to get them where they need to go and ensure they have what they need to continue doing their important work,\u201d said Carla Burnett, an executive assistant in the Center Director\u2019s Office who is also the lead for all of Johnson\u2019s administrative staff.<\/p>\n
Burnett has turned her long-standing passion for administrative work into a 41-year career at Johnson. She was just a youngster when she started working in the Astronaut Office mailroom \u2013 an opportunity that came through her high school\u2019s Office Education Program. \u201cBeing a meek and mild high school student, sitting there with the astronauts, going through all of their fan mail \u2013 I was in awe! It was an absolute honor,\u201d she said. That experience and earning recognition as her high school\u2019s Office Education Student of the Year confirmed for Burnett that administrative work was the right career path for her. She said that fidelity and perseverance launched her from the Astronaut Office mailroom to a position as a crew secretary for two space shuttle flights. \u201cBeing a servant and helping others is what I really love about administrative work,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Today, Burnett supports Johnson\u2019s senior executives and serves as a central resource for the rest of the administrative team. \u201cThey are all very self-sufficient and work within their own organizations,\u201d she explained, but she may coordinate team-wide meetings, celebrations, or trainings, and she is always available to help answer questions. \u201cWe work consistently as a cohesive team. We are knowledgeable and, may I add, exceptional at what we do because we do it for the benefit and success of our Johnson family, NASA, and a plethora of communities!\u201d<\/p>\n
Burnett\u2019s dedication to service is reflected across the administrative team, as is a commitment to caring for others. Edwina Gaines, administrative assistant for the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program, said that being an instrument of team success and the opportunity to build long-lasting friendships are the most rewarding parts of her job. \u201cThat connection to people is important,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s important for me to know who I\u2019m supporting or working with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaines joined the Johnson team as a contractor nearly 20 years ago thanks to an opportunity that arose from her volunteer work at church. A church partner, the Houston Area Urban League, was helping a NASA subcontractor fill a secretarial position through the Small Business Administration\u2019s HUBZone Program. Gaines got the job.<\/p>\n
Since then, she has supported four programs and two institutional organizations, getting to know several agency leaders quite well. Gaines said she paid attention to little details \u2013 like which managers preferred printed materials over presentations, how they organized their offices, and when they typically stopped for coffee or something to eat \u2013 and worked to stay one step ahead of them. She recalled one occasion when she realized a manager had not taken a break in five hours and brought her something to drink. \u201cIt\u2019s about taking care of the people who are doing the mission. If you don\u2019t take care of yourself, you can\u2019t complete the mission,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Rick Pettis, the administrative officer for the Center Operations Directorate, appreciates being part of a great team. Pettis has worked at Johnson since 2014, when he retired from the U.S. Navy after 23 years. \u201cI enjoy helping people with problem solving,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery day there will be someone who calls me to ask, \u2018How do I get this done?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
The administrative team\u2019s work involves other highlights, as well. \u201cWhen I met my first astronaut, I was in awe,\u201d said Dottie Workman, a secretary supporting Johnson\u2019s External Relations Office. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe that someone so important was walking around the campus just like everyone else. He was so nice \u2013 he shook my hand and took the time to talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Workman has been a civil servant for 52 years and 29 of those have been spent at Johnson. \u201cMy career has taken me all over the United States and Germany,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen my son was in the military and stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio he said, \u2018Mom, why don\u2019t you move to Texas?\u2019 I didn\u2019t have a good reason to say no, so here I am!\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside of meeting and interacting with astronauts, Workman said being able to share NASA with her family and friends is her favorite part of working at Johnson. \u201cIt is always exciting to see their reaction,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Burnett is thankful for a united team that understands the value of their work. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to work with a group of professionals who know the significance of propelling today\u2019s men and women into the next generation of deep space for years to come,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are Artemis proud!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n