An extraordinary young Polish woman – Julia Stankiewicz, gained international experience and fluency in four languages to fulfil her dreams and became part of the prestigious team at NASA.
Julia Stankiewicz’s impressive career began at the young age of 26 when she joined the elite team at NASA. With fluency in English, French, and German, she had no trouble studying at prestigious institutions like the Sorbonne, the International Space University, and the University of Manchester. As a skilled programmer, she has mastered several software languages, catching the attention of some of the most advanced technology companies. She has worked for some of the biggest names in technology, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce Motors, and the European Space Agency, where she gained experience collaborating in large teams and dealing with cutting-edge technologies, even contributing to the design of the MOVE-III satellite.
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Her interest in mechanics and DIY began in childhood and blossomed into a passion for advanced technologies, especially those related to space exploration.
„One day, my math teacher persuaded me to try my hand at a curatorial math competition, despite the fact that I had the lowest grades in this subject. To my amazement, I reached the provincial level, and after believing in myself and additional classes with the teacher, I started getting only A’s. That’s when I started thinking about pursuing a career in STEM fields, combining my passion for math, physics and exploration. I also understood that even if something seems difficult to us, it does not mean that we do not have a talent for it. You just have to get used to it more.” – says Julia during an interview with makeway website.
Even during her studies, Julia Stankiewicz had a strong desire to work at NASA, the most prestigious company in the world that specializes in rocket construction. However, she faced significant obstacles due to the ITAR restrictions on the employment of non-US citizens in companies dealing with space technologies that could potentially be used for military purposes. Despite these challenges, Julia found a way to pursue her dream by applying to a special NASA recruitment program for foreign students. The program required applicants to secure support from other organizations, companies, or foundations, which Julia was able to obtain with the help of the Talent Development Foundation, Rafał Brzoska, Anna Pasek, and the Technical University of Munich.
„If someone does not have an American passport or a green card, the possibilities of working at NASA are significantly limited. Although there is a way to hire experts from abroad – through contracting companies (…) There is a special program for international students to apply for (JVSRP). Participants of this program work for free, but they must get financial support from another organization, company or foundation. (…) However, obtaining such support can be a challenge. That’s why it took me a long time to find the right means. My work at NASA is paid for by four organizations: Fundacja im. Rafał Brzoski, Talent Development Foundation, Fundacja im. Anny Pasek and the Technical University of Munich, which I am currently attending. Eventually, I got an offer at NASA after a long process (started in 2020) of searching and contacting employees via LinkedIn and through people I met at conferences or universities. This process was certainly demanding and time-consuming, because usually in such situations you meet people on the road who promise help, and then nothing comes of it and you have to start all over again.” – Julia explains.
„The person at NASA who finally offered me a place on the team wrote back 1.5 months late, and after many competitions I didn’t even have high hopes that anything would come of it. Despite this, I prepared for the interview as best I could and gave myself one last chance. As you can see, it was worth it!” – she adds.
After completing the necessary steps, Julia Stankiewicz was interviewed by a NASA employee, and soon after, she was accepted into one of the world’s most prestigious companies. Her exceptional knowledge in the field of space technologies can be observed by watching the video material about the Mars rover, which is accessible on YouTube.
„In general, I have a great passion for creating things. I like to build and repair. I recently repaired the washing machine and now I am trying to repair the power supply. If I can build or cobble something together, I’m always willing. Working in the space industry is a great opportunity for me to combine my passion for building, space exploration and challenges. Answering your question, I would like to work on space capsules, build space stations, and integrate and test them. I would like to be that person who deals with equipment and is able to assemble or repair it, understanding how everything works.” – says Julia.
During an interview, Julia Stankiewicz also disclosed her upcoming task as a new employee at NASA. Her responsibility will be overseeing the ARPA program’s natural disaster monitoring project. The use of satellite imagery allows for the creation of accurate maps of natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, or floods. As a programmer, Julia will be utilizing Python to automate the map-making process. Despite her excitement for this project, Julia’s ultimate aspiration is to design and test components that will contribute to the construction of space stations in the future.
Author: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska
Photo: Twitter @kawecki_maciej
