If you had a brilliant teen who hoped to work at NASA…

[Anonymous]

How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.

That was my goal 20 years ago!! Then after my PhD I got a research position at NASA. I worked there for 6 months and moved to oil and gas. Even back then they paid twice as much for nearly the same type of work. I think I make more than twice my experience level at NASA even now - and I have a ton more in savings, sent my kids to nice private schools, have a ski and beach condo, etc. NASA is just a brand, like Exxon, but doesn't offer anything tangible, like energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.

That was my goal 20 years ago!! Then after my PhD I got a research position at NASA. I worked there for 6 months and moved to oil and gas. Even back then they paid twice as much for nearly the same type of work. I think I make more than twice my experience level at NASA even now - and I have a ton more in savings, sent my kids to nice private schools, have a ski and beach condo, etc. NASA is just a brand, like Exxon, but doesn't offer anything tangible, like energy.

Me again... forgot to answer the question. I was top of my class, near perfect scores, like your son. I got an Honors undergraduate which won an award at LPSC in Houston. This gave me good contacts for grad school, which was paid by NASA. I won about 5 more research awards and had about 10 publications when I finished my PhD. They asked me to apply before I graduated. Everyone I know in NASA research has a similar story. Also similar to me, many of the smarter ones quit when they realize they can make multiples in private startups or at majors.

[Anonymous]

Get involved with a rocketry team.