Career Roadmap
Adriana's work combines: Science, Engineering, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Geology/Earth Science, General
California State University-Los Angeles
Graduate Degree
Planetary Astronomy and Science
California State University-Northridge
Associate's Degree
Pasadena City College
Doctorate
Planetary Astronomy and Science
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Aerospace Engineers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Geology/Earth Science, General
Graduate Degree: Planetary Astronomy and Science
Associate's Degree
Doctorate: Planetary Astronomy and Science
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
When I was young, my parents immigrated from Colombia to Argentina, then again to Pasadena.
2.
Even as a child in Argentina, I loved to go onto my roof and look at the points of light in the sky.
3.
I ended up writing a letter addressed only to "NASA"; it made its way there and they wrote back!
4.
NASA sent me back some Apollo 11 paraphernalia; that crystalized my interest in space exploration.
5.
But in school, I wasn't encouraged to go into the sciences; only boys could go to technical schools.
6.
When we eventually moved to America, my first question was, "Dónde está NASA?"
7.
Luckily, my Pasadena high school gave me the opportunity to intern at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.
8.
Now, over 35 years later, I'm still working for NASA. Anything is possible!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
A woman from South America isn't going make it at NASA.
How I responded:
Whether it was because I was an immigrant or a woman, it always felt like I was in the minority in my field. For me, it's important for me to succeed and become a mentor so that I can show girls, "Look, you CAN do this!" Something in the sciences needs to change, because even today, women are getting discouraged from entering these fields. Yet, NASA is always looking for diverse talent...and even for female astronauts! So truly, there is a space for you in the sciences, and anything is possible.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My family moved from South America when I was very young. I was very nervous because I had studied French rather than English in school, so I struggled with the language for a while.
I want to encourage young women to be curious, to ask questions and find answers, and to seek out female mentors at every stage of their life. Don't be afraid to succeed in science because you can truly achieve anything you put your mind to.