Marianne McCarthy, Ph.D.

Even though I enjoyed mathematics, I had problems in the second semester of my high school geometry class. I was discouraged, but I didn't give up. Later, I graduated from high school with honors and earned a college scholarship. To help with my expenses, I started working part time, and I worked throughout my college career. While finishing my Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of California, Los Angeles, I also volunteered as a teacher's assistant in the school at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute. I taught multiple subjects to gifted adolescents who had emotional problems. It was at that time that I knew I was interested in psychology and teaching.

I earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado and returned to California to start my teaching career. Eventually, I was promoted to Principal of Woodview Calabasas School. At that time, I enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Psychology and attended classes at night. Later on, I worked as Principal of Erikson High School. It took me a long time to complete my Ph.D. because I was working full time. I had to be patient, pace myself, and keep a positive attitude even when I felt tired. The support of my family, friends, and coworkers contributed to my ability to achieve my educational goals.

During my last two years at Erikson High School, I worked on a computer technology project with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. After the project was completed, NASA Dryden officials decided to start an education program at Dryden and invited me to apply for the job of developing their education programs. I started working at NASA in February, 1996.

What I like best about my job is working with teachers, students, and the people at Dryden. I love our airplanes and space vehicles. Dryden's engineers, scientists, and technical people work on aeronautics, space transportation technologies, and earth science. They help me capture the excitement of their research so that I can share it with you. I never thought I would have the opportunity to work at NASA. I worked hard, made education a priority in my life, learned from other people, set goals for myself and worked until I achieved them. I think that a positive attitude is very important. Give yourself a good education. You're worth it!