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Lee esta historia en espa\u00f1ol\u00a0aqu\u00ed.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Do you dream of working for NASA and contributing to exploration and innovation for the benefit of humanity? The agency\u2019s internship programs provide high school and college students opportunities to advance NASA\u2019s mission in aeronautics, science, technology, and space. \u00a0 Claudia Sales, Kassidy McLaughlin, and Julio Trevi\u00f1o started their careers as interns at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where they continue to explore the secrets of the universe. Their journeys highlight the long-term impact of the NASA\u2019s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew since I was a child that I wanted to work for NASA,\u201d said Claudia Sales, acting X-59 deputy chief engineer X-59 deputy chief engineer and airworthiness certification lead for the agency\u2019s quiet supersonic research aircraft.<\/p>\n Sales\u2019 journey at NASA started in 2005 as a Pathways intern, a NASA work-study (co-op) program. She worked in propulsion and structures branches and supported such projects as the X-43A hypersonic research aircraft (Hyper-X) and the X-37 reusable orbital launch vehicle, where she had the opportunity to perform calculations for thermal estimations and trajectory analyses. She also completed design work with NASA Armstrong\u2019s Experimental Fabrication Shop.<\/p>\n \u201cIt had been a dream of mine to be a part of unique, one-of-a-kind flight research projects,\u201d Sales said. \u201cMy mentor was amazing at exposing me to a wide variety of experiences and working on something unique to one day be implemented on an air vehicle to make the world a better place.\u201d<\/p>\n Similarly, flight systems engineer Kassidy McLaughlin discovered that mentorship and hands-on experience as an intern were key to her professional development. She currently leads the development of a ground control station at NASA Armstrong.<\/p>\n In high school and college, McLaughlin enrolled in STEM classes, knowing she wanted to pursue a career in engineering. Encouraged by her mother to apply for a NASA internship, McLaughlin\u2019s career began in 2014 as an intern for NASA Armstrong\u2019s Office of STEM Engagement. She later transitioned to the Pathways program.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mentor gave me the tools necessary, and encouraged me to ask questions,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cHe helped show me that I was capable of anything if I set my mind to it.\u201d<\/p>\n During five rotations as an intern, she worked on the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System (UAS in the NAS) project. \u201cIt is such a rewarding feeling to be in a control room when something you have worked on is flying,\u201d McLaughlin said. That experience inspired her to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n \u201cNASA Armstrong offered something special when it came to the people,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cThe culture at the center is so friendly and everyone is so welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n Julio Trevi\u00f1o, lead operations engineer for NASA\u2019s Global Hawk SkyRange project, ensures airworthiness throughout the planning, integration, and flight phases of unique systems and vehicles. He is also a certified mission controller, mission director, and flight test engineer for various agency aircraft.<\/p>\n Much like McLaughlin, Trevi\u00f1o began his journey in 2018 as a Pathway\u2019s intern for the Dynamic and Controls branch at NASA Armstrong. That experience paved the way for success after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an intern, I had the opportunity to work on designing and creating a battery model for an all-electric aircraft,\u201d Trevi\u00f1o said. \u201cIt was officially published as a NASA software model for use by anyone throughout the agency.\u201d<\/p>\n Trevi\u00f1o also credits NASA\u2019s culture and people as the best part of his internship. \u201cI had very supportive mentors throughout my time as an intern and the fact that everyone here genuinely loves the work that they do is awesome,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Every year, NASA provides more than 2,000 students the opportunity to impact the agency\u2019s mission through hands-on internships. The 2025 application for fall is May 16, 2025.<\/p>\n To learn more about NASA\u2019s internship programs, application deadlines, and eligibility, visit\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n