We had the good fortune of connecting with Naia Butler-Craig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Naia, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The one thing about my industry that outsiders are probably unaware of is that anybody can get involved! There is a common misconception that the space industry is just for scientists and engineers but that couldn’t be further than the truth! As we continue to push the boundaries of space exploration and establish a long-term presence on different celestial bodies, it will be imperative that various fields are involved. And while that may sound like a long ways away, it truly is not. But even in the interim, there is space for all kinds of expertise in the space industry. We need artists to design things like mission patches, communicators to communicate the science so that taxpayers understand what their contributing to, lawyers to create jurisdiction in the ever-changing landscape of the space industry, and the list is endless!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I secured my NASA pathways position at the beginning of my sophomore year of college which then begat my NASA career. I am now 25, and already have 6 years of working experience at NASA. It’s why I’m such a fan of the NASA pathways program that essentially hires you as a federal civil servant, allows you to work on a rotational basis and secures your full-time role post-graduation. I started at 19 but I believe you can start in the pathways program as young as 16. But during these 6 years, I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of technical projects including but not limited to: CubeSat nanosatellites, sub-kilowatt electric propulsion, Lunar orbital operations, systems engineering, laser and optical diagnostics and astrodynamics. My only internship outside of NASA was one summer at Los Alamos National Labs in New Mexico where I worked in computational astrophysics. The projects I have had the opportunity to touch in grad school have also been highly technical! My research niche within Aerospace Engineering is something called space electric propulsion. It’s an incredible technology that will enable us to explore the depths of our solar system more efficiently. It’s extremely exciting stuff.

Was any of this easy? Absolutely not. But I will say I was hardly ever alone or isolated. My professional network has not only afforded me invaluable opportunities within this field but the community to support me while I navigate it as well. And I would truly be nowhere without it. I have been through all kinds of life situations, some of which almost completely knocked me off my feet. I attribute my success in spite of those things to God and my relationship with my creator. As a first-generation, Black, neurodivergent, woman, I obviously live at the intersection of a lot of identities that are not well-represented in the field. That lack of representation comes with a lack of systemic support as well. I have had to navigate very outwardly racist remarks, microaggressions, ableism, you name it. Not to mention, the mental strain that such technically rigorous work will put you through. Because not only is it hard stuff, I am constantly fighting against my own demons of comparison and self-doubt. The biggest lessons I have learned so far are: how to surrender my plans to God and focus on my own journey, how to remain resilient in the face of failure by literally just continuing to show up and try, and that it is imperative you get comfortable asking for help when you need it.

I still have a long way to go to achieving my dreams. And I have had to get very comfortable with the journey and maybe even the destination not looking exactly as I thought it would. But because I know I am not alone in these feelings or experiences, I make it a point to share this and my journey in general on social media. Even when it’s really uncomfortable and sometimes even embarrassing to admit I have failed. The reason being is mental health is no joke and I have watched brilliant Black students and professionals in these rigorous fields fall victim to suicide. And if there is anything I can say to make someone in that position feel less alone, I will do that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite places in Atlanta include the Gathering Spot. It’s the first place I bring visitors because I truly adore the atmosphere of collaboration among local Black brilliance that has been cultivated in that space. Not to mention they make a mean espresso martini. Another is the James Room speakeasy because the vibe is always laid back, welcoming, and makes for a smooth night on the town. I also recently happened upon Rooftop LOA which I adored for it’s lovely rooftop. And I always gotta bring my friends and visitors to my happy places: The Sky Barre and Challenge Aerial! It’s where I decompress and exercise and it’s always a fun new activity for my friends to try!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout will always go to God because He is my rock and I would be nowhere without Him. And it’s God who I thank for putting me in front of the most incredible and supportive mentors anyone could ask for. It’s really hard to choose just one but I have to give it to NSBE or the National Society of Black Engineers. Specifically the Embry-Riddle Daytona chapter, where I went to undergrad. When I started undergrad, I was a first-gen college student with no idea about anything involving Aerospace Engineering except for what I had researched on my own. I knew what I wanted to study technically but had no idea about the nuances of college. Like how important and helpful it is to secure an internship and generate that work experience early on. It was only because my mentors in NSBE that I was made aware of that. They helped me get my resume together (the first I had ever made) and that following summer (summer of my freshman year) I landed an internship in the space industry. The work experience I obtained from that internship made me that much more competitive when I applied to NASA. And by my sophomore year of college, I had secured a pathways position at NASA Glenn Research Center. My dream job.

Website: naiabutlercraig.com

Instagram: instagram.com/astronaia_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naia-butler-craig/

Twitter: twitter.com/astronaia/

Image Credits
NASA HQ, NASA Glenn, Lee Green

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