COVER: Texas State University alumnus Rachel Whitton, dressed out in a flight suit, at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. SUBMITTED PHOTO.

STAFF REPORT

An internship at NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration) Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, puts Rachel Whitton one step closer to fulfilling her dream of making contributions in the fields of science and technology.

Whitton, a Texas State student from Houston, is one of seven students participating in the 15-week spring session of NASA Langley’s Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) that began in January.

USRP is a competitive program offering undergraduates across the United States mentored internship experiences at NASA centers and research support facilities. The program prepares students for careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Sessions are offered each spring, summer and fall.

Whitton said the experience at NASA Langley is giving her “critical” job experience and insight into the world of technology.

“The work experience and the networking I will acquire here will help me further my hopes to become a successful software engineer,” Whitton said.

After receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science, Whitton said she plans to pursue opportunities within various NASA programs and projects.

“I hope to intern here again and again until I secure a job in the software engineering field,” she said.