Interns - Blog Posts

Deniz Burnham

A former NASA intern, Deniz Burnham started her career as an engineer on an oil rig in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and went on to lead operations on drilling rigs in Canada, Ohio, and Texas. https://go.nasa.gov/3wDpfBo

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Five Ways NASA’s Internships Rock(et)

Sending humans to space, returning to the Moon, transforming aircraft, exploring the extraordinary every day: just a few things you are a part of as a NASA intern. Whether you have dreamed of working at the agency your whole life, or discovered a new interest, students at NASA have the opportunity to make real contributions to space exploration and flight. Want to know more? Here are five ways these internships can be rocket fuel for your career:

5. NASA gives you a navigation system. 

Imagine walking into a lab to work side-by-side with NASA scientists, engineers and researchers. As a NASA intern, that’s a daily reality. Mentors are full-time employees who guide and work with students throughout their internship. Space communications intern Nick Sia believes working with a mentor is what makes NASA’s internships different. “Working one-on-one has given me more opportunities to work on different projects,” he says. “It’s the best motivation to do great work.”

4. It’s more than training for launch day. 

As a NASA intern, your work matters. Students are treated as employees, and their ideas are valued. Hands-on assignments allow interns to make real contributions to NASA research and gain experience. For example, Erin Rezich is working in our mobility lab to help design excavation hardware for planetary surfaces such as the Moon. “It’s an incredibly exciting project because these are problems that have to be solved to move planetary exploration forward,” she says.

3. Students develop an array of skills.

Not only do interns improve their technical skills, but they are also building communication and leadership skills. This summer, students are taking part in a two-week immersive design challenge. Participants will design a Ram Air Turbine for NASA Glenn’s 1x1 Supersonic Wind Tunnel. “This design challenge is a unique opportunity to create a design from scratch, which could actually be implemented,” says Woodrow Funk, an electrical testing engineer intern. Projects such as this allow students to work independently, plan, organize and improve time management skills. 

2. Non-technical degrees shoot for the stars. 

NASA also offers many opportunities for students pursuing a career outside of STEM fields. Departments such as human resources, administration, education and communications engage students with hands-on projects. These organizations provide support essential to NASA’s programs and missions. “I was excited that NASA offered opportunities that match my skill set,” says Molly Kearns, a digital media student working with Space Communications and Navigation. Kearns’ first summer at NASA confirmed her passion for graphic design. “What makes the experience so rewarding is seeing content that I created published on social media sites,” she says.

1. Students are surrounded by extraordinary peers. 

Students come to NASA from all over the nation to develop important skills matched to their career goals and expand the way they think about their work. Being surrounded by the best scientists, developers, engineers, mathematicians and communicators is inspiring. NASA’s network is one of graduate fellow Jamesa Stokes’ main motivations. “There are tons of smart and awesome people who work here,” says Stokes, “At the end of the day, they are willing to help anyone who comes and asks for it.”

Are you ready to liftoff your career? Learn more about opportunities for students at NASA here.

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Prologue

Pre-Accident!Stephen Strange x Neurosurgeon!OFC

Series Summary: Meet Blake Shepherd, The Daughter of Derek Shepherd and Addison-Montgomery-Shepherd, and a Neurosurgery Attending at Metro-General Hospital in New York City after Needing a break when Her father died from a car Crash, During which that Time she met the Other Attending Neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange, Now In Present time they are actually dating and two of the most Famous Neurosurgeon's in Metro-General, Watch as Blake navigates her life alongside her best friend and boyfriend Stephen Strange.

Chapter Summary: With The Emergency Room on High Alert with Multiple Trauma and Neuro Cases, Blake and Stephen find themselves Swamped with so many cases ending the day being completely Exhausted.

Chapter One: Keeping Peace in a Crazy time.

CW//TW: Medical Terminology, Drama, shouting, Surgery, Head Trauma, Cursing, Stephen Getting mad at The Interns, a Bunch of Different OC's, Blake and Christine are Best friends, Mentions of Derek Shepherd's Death, Trauma, Flashbacks, Blake also calls Cristina who is your Best friend from Seattle, Blake Loves Good Surgeries as Does Stephen, Injuries, Stephen being a doting Boyfriend.

It was Supposed to be a Peaceful and quiet day in the Hospital, but Blake Supposed That it Never was, When Her and Stephen first arrived They were immediately Swamped with a 911 In the ER. In Blake's Residency in Seattle Grace she was a Trauma Surgeon before she got her qualifications as a Neurosurgeon Much Like her Father, Which she was applauded on, Greatly on, Right before Her Father's Death she was awarded for both Qualifications.

Right now Blake was going between different Patients, Both with Significant Head traumas, Which Luckily were just some Mild Concussions. she was talking to one of her Interns, Shelby, about what to do, "Get a Repeat CT Scan on both Patients in about an Hour Just to make sure, If there is no Brain Bleed then Prescribe them some Medication for the Pain and Discharge them with the Instructions to come back if they have any Worsening Symptoms, If there is a Brain bleed Page me and Strange Immediately." Blake ordered. Shelby Nodded her head Immediately, "Of Course, Doctor Shepherd." She responded.

The Rest of Blake's Interns, which were Two men and a woman stood there aimlessly, "Amy, David, James, What are you standing around me for, It's My Lunch Break and I'm sure you all have tasks to do, David I know I told you your covering the pit for that little Incident Last week." Blake said, Glaring Slightly, they Spooked off while David Groaned, walking off towards the Pit. Blake sighed as she went off to her Lunch Break, Already Exhausted from how many Traumas she had to deal with during this time, going towards the Break room, Blake Grabbed a coke and a bag of chips before settling down on the couch sighing.

Blake zoned out until she heard that familiar deep voice calling her name, she opened one of her eyes, "Ah, Stephen, you finally got a break?" She hummed. He Chuckled at her Exhausted tone, “Yeah, ER was totally Swamped today especially the Neuro Department.” he commented grabbing his own Drink before Settling down next to Blake. Blake Closed her eyes in Apology, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to join you in the OR, Chief had me on trauma Service so my interns could learn something for once.”

Stephen waved her off, “It’s no Problem, babe, I know how The Interns are.” he responded, Blake Scoffed, Letting her Blonde hair down from the Ponytail. “After that last stunt David Pulled Last week, I might as well Stick him in the Pit.” She said, Scowling.

“Oh? And what was that?” Stephen Hummed, Obviously In the mood to hear what stupid Thing David Did to anger Blake. She Snorted, “He Tried to Steal a damn organ for a Donor Patient.” Blake Said. Stephen blinked at What Blake had said, Wow Interns really were Idiots, Which made him glad he wasn’t working with them.

“Yeah, Completely Idiotic for him, He won’t be Scrubbing in on any of my Surgeries anytime soon, it will be the Pit for him for a while.” Blake said, rolling her eyes, not to mention, tomorrow, a Late bloomer to the Residency Program would be added to her Service. Stephen Chuckled lightly, Wrapping his arm around her Shoulder.

Blake Snuggled into his Shoulder, Relaxing for a bit. Until Amy Came Into the Break room, “Doctor Shepherd we need you!” She said, stress Written all over her face. Blake sat up, “What is it Amy?” She asked. The Intern Panted as She saw them Both There, “James is Killing a Patient, and Shelby is Unconscious from a Freaked out patient.” She said.

Blake immediately got up as did Stephen, they ran towards the ER, “James! What happened?” Blake Asked while Stephen Examined Shelby who looked to be in bad Shape. James Shrinked under her Authoritative Tone, “Mr. John here, Came in Extremely Combative and under the Influence of some Hardcore Drugs, he attacked Shelby Pretty bad, and then Collapsed right after, I can’t Control his Arythimas and get them back to Normal.” James said.

“Doctor Strange, is Shelby okay?” Blake asked while she tried to keep John Alive, “Yeah she’ll need a Head CT to be safe but I assume she’ll wake will with a Nasty Headache and Concussion.” he responded. Blake nodded.

Finally Blake had Gotten John’s heart beat back to Normal, “Amy, Get a Angiocardiogram to see what caused that Minor Heart Attack.” Blake ordered, the Intern nodded before tapping away on the Tablet in her hands. James was about to argue but Blake held her hand Up to cut him off. “Uh—Uh, you Are not talking, you are listening.” She said.

“You almost killed that man because you were standing around like a Idiot.” Blake Said, Stephen Right behind her, “You almost would have left Shelby to Die from an Untreated concussion because you were standing around like a Moron, Amy had to Come get me and you know she has a Asthmatic Condition!” She added. Her Blue Eyes Showed compassion for her patients and Injured Colleagues but also Anger for the Misconduct James had done.

“Guess what? Your off Surgical Cases for a Month, your on Scut, Charting only and Consults, no surgeries.” Blake Ordered, expecting him to argue back but he Didn’t, which was good, it Meant he Recognized his Mistake.

A Few Hours Later and It was time for Both Blake’s and Stephen’s Shifts to be over, Blake Slung a warm coat over her shoulders, Signing a few Papers for some Patients at the Nurses station, the Main nurse or Charge Nurse, Malia. Malia Mostly worked the Night Shift, She too over watch over the Patients like a hawk. “Please make sure none of my interns on the night Shift, Either A, Die, or B, Kill someone.” Blake said.

Malia Chuckled, “Shepherd Do not worry, I’ve got this.” She said, Blake Continued Signing herself out, She Rubbed her eyes Tiredly. “I hope your not Driving your Self home.” Malia Pointed out. Blake Snorted, “Oh hell no, Stephen’s not as Tired as I am so he will be Driving us Home.” Blake Replied.

Malia Smiled Sneakily, “You and Stephen Huh? I never would have Thought you two.” She Snorted, as Blake handed back the Clipboard, She Smacked Malia’s arm. “Shut up, it’s only been 3 weeks since we went Public with it, well More Like one of my Stupid Interns walked in on us and announced it to the whole Hospital.” She replied.

Malia Laughed, “Well Girlie, here comes your man.” She said, Blake Turned as Stephen Carried Her Coat that she had Left in her Office, helping her into it. “So caring.” Malia Playfully Cooed. Stephen Laughed as Blake Shushed her. Blake Pushed her Keys into Stephen’s chest, “Your Driving. I’d rather not Crash my Car from Exhaustion.”

“Of Course.” Stephen Replied, giving Blake a little Peck on her Lips. They left arm in arm as Malia Prepared to get ready for the Night Shift.

Blake was so happy to have Stephen In her Life, Especially when they had very Demanding Jobs, They were careful knowing that if one of them got Injured there was a Strict rule about working on family or loved ones, if you were too Personally Involved you were not going in that Trauma or OR Room.

But nothing could Prepare the couple for the Storm of Emotions and bad things coming there Way.