Name:Johnny Ruffa

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Position Title: Junior Engineer

Major(s)/Minor(s): Mechanical Engineering

Expected Graduation Year: May 2016

Briefly describe your internship, co-op,  or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

During the summer, I was tasked with a couple assignments. I worked with three other interns to provide a down-scaled model of the current Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) using 3-D printing technology. I also performed structural analysis of a composite instrument in order to optimize the amount of composite material layers used for construction. Over the course of the summer, I was responsible for evenly distributing the project work among the team of interns and creating a timeline and deadlines that pushed towards completion of the model. A lot of freedom was given to me by mentor in order to encourage innovation and creativity in the design of the constructed model. I recreated, remodeled, and designed new concepts using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to create a functional and accurate representation of the current WFIRST Observatory design.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

I was able to find the internship position located through NASA's website, which directed me to the One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI) NASA internship program. I consulted fellow mechanical engineering classmates and my older brother, an electrical engineer, to help review and improve my resume in preparation for the internship application. I also reached out to employed engineers from my church community to help prepare for the potential interview process.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

I have enjoyed learning from and interacting with some of the most brilliant people I've ever met. I've had the opportunity to engage in conversation with world class scientists, and hear from Nobel Prize winner John Mather. Everyone I've met at NASA has vast knowledge and experiences, and it would be foolish not to ask questions and learn from their experiences. The science and technology used at NASA is very intriguing and complex, and it's common to be overwhelmed and lost through all the information. However, I never felt afraid or judged by anyone for lack of knowledge and was encouraged to develop and grow from both my experiences and my failures in order to seek excellence. NASA has cultivated a true learning experience that's inspired me to further pursue and use my education to achieve new heights.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

The work I have done this summer is extremely beneficial to the project I was assigned to. The engineers of the project use CAD designs that act as blueprints for building the Observatory, and it's difficult to visualize how each instrument and component interacts with each other. The model I created was constructed as multiple subsections that allowed the different subsections to be pulled out and examined, and then reassembled into the overall model when finished. This allows the engineers to recognize the intricacies and fine details of many instruments while observing how each component functions in the overall product. The model also serves as a visual tool for the project managers and scientist to help encourage project funders and help communicate the overall mission of the project: to discover exoplanets and gain knowledge on dark energy. The work I have done is a big supporting role in the mission of the project that helps the engineers visualize their work as well as help scientists inspire future project funders to contribute to the mission.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Reach out to as many corporations and internship opportunities as possible. There are endless opportunities in the area, and each opportunity provides invaluable experience to help you figure out what career to pursue. Even if you end up disliking your experience, it's important you find out now instead of committing the first important years of your career to a job you don't enjoy.

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