Cooperative Education Program
Program Description
The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Cooperative Education (Co-op)
Program is designed to provide work experience for undergraduate
and graduate college students who are pursuing degrees in fields
related to Dryden research. The majority of the co-ops are aeronautical/aerospace, electrical, and mechanical engineering majors, but the program also includes students working with technicians and administrative personnel.
Co-ops are included in various research programs that are structured
to apply the basic principles and theories of their major field
of study and to provide an opportunity to determine the type of
work for which they are best suited. Students enter a program of
alternating school and work assignments that involves increasing
degrees of difficulty.
Co-ops work under the supervision of engineers
on projects such as systems design, flight test experiments, computer
studies, and simulation. Work is evaluated by the supervisors and
mentors after each work assignment. By the last work period, students
are working with a minimum of supervision on complex research problems
that may result in joint authorship of a research paper. This program
is NOT intended as a summer internship.
Program Objectives
Through the Cooperative Education Program, Dryden strives to acquaint
students with its mission and programs in aeronautical research
and to expand their academic training through work experience with
NASA personnel in research management.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for this program must:
- Be a full-time or part-time enrollees in an accredited educational
institution in the U.S. (must have completed freshman year).
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Has demonstrated very strong aptitude in the major field of
study and a wide variety of extracurricular interests and leadership
activities.
- Must be available for an alternating work/school schedule.
Application Process
Students are strongly recommended to apply through the Cooperative Education office or through a liaison at the institution they are attending. Resumes must indicate education background, GPA (3.2 minimum), graduation date, objective, citizenship, and indicate the semester available to start (i.e. Spring: Jan.- May; Fall: Sept. - Dec.). Resumes not containing all required information may lose consideration. Applications should include a copy of current transcripts (unofficial transcripts or web printouts are acceptable) or resumes should list relevant coursework. Spring Selections: Cut off date for incoming resumes is October 1st. Fall Selections: Cut off date for incoming resumes is March 1st.
How does the co-op program work? The co-op students start in the fall or in the spring (they take a semester off school to work). The summers are reserved for returning co-ops (from the fall or previous spring). Graduate students are encouraged to apply for the fall or spring semester; however, they may be selected for two summer co-op terms. The student should be able to work at least three terms before graduation; however, the program requires students work a minimum of two terms. If the student has a while before graduation then they must return to work for more than two sessions.
Inquiries
Isabel Lugo
Student Programs Specialist
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
P.O. Box 273
Mail Stop: 2407
Edwards, CA 93523-0273
(661) 276-3623
Isabel.Delgado@nasa.gov
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