When Ethan Netsch, a senior studying Computer Science at IUPUI, started thinking about possible careers, there was only one organization on his mind.
“Since high school, I’ve been interested in working at NASA. It’s been a goal of mine,” Netsch stated.
Originally, Netsch’s trajectory began with Mechanical Engineering before a beginner programming course created a new path to reach his goals. He quickly realized how well a computer science degree meshed with his love for science and math. This change still leads to a career in the aerospace industry.
Junior year, Netsch started looking at several options for internships, and he was offered a summer internship at the John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Netsch found himself working on “Graphical User Interface Development for Engine Ice Research” where he worked alongside engineers to develop a wrap-around interface for studying the risk of ice formations in engines.
Upon completion of his internship, Netsch received an opportunity that would take him one step closer to his goal—a job at NASA. He was offered a second internship, this time at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Netsch’s first internship gave him experience in software engineering, while the second was focused on command and control systems software development.
This summer, Netsch is returning to NASA to complete a third internship. He credits the Pre-Professional and Career Preparation Office in the School of Science with helping him land his dream internship.
“I went to get help on my resume a few times,” Netsch starts. “I had experience—I just didn’t know how to present that in a way that was appealing to employers. I went from having a terrible resume to having a really, really solid one.”
Recognizing where you may need help can be difficult, but Netsch recommends identifying these areas and utilizing the resources available. This is great advice for students looking to land an internship or full-time job after graduation.
“IUPUI in general has so many resources—it’s important to take advantage of that and utilize them,” says Netsch.
Netsch graduates from IUPUI in December 2020. While civilian jobs at NASA are competitive, Netsch is on track to land successfully!