Mentorship Opportunities Through SSPI
Opportunities to mentor students and working satellite professionals are multiplying fast at SSPI, thanks in no small part to the lessons in online networking forced on us by the global pandemic. Today, SSPI members are sharing their skills and experience with others in three ways. To explore service as an SSPI Mentor, contact Tamara Bond-Williams at [email protected].
Mentoring Teams in Student Competitions
SSPI partners with the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) in the US and UK to host competitions for teams of students at universities across the country. SEDS is a 100% student-led association of space enthusiasts from multiple disciplines. Each year, we develop a competition that introduces students to satellite technology and operations through research and, when possible, a design and build phase. “Introduce” may seem a strange term for young people passionate about space, but most know little about the commercial industry that generates most space activity and nearly all the revenue and profits. Mentors meet online with their teams over a 3-6 month period to offer advice and guidance and then help judge the competition and select the winners. You can view past competitions at https://www.sspi.org/cpages/seds.
SSPI-WISE Mentoring Program
SSPI-WISE is our affinity group encouraging the hands-on engagement of women in satellite and space careers. Its mentoring working group is establishing an online program to engage the women of WISE in mentoring their peers through the career challenges they face in an industry long dominated by their male colleagues. SSPI members can learn more about the SSPI-WISE Mentoring Program at www.sspi.org/groups/sspi-wise-mentorship-working-group. To keep up with SSPI-WISE activities, visit www.sspi.org/cpages/sspi-wise-women-in-space-engagement.
Mid-Atlantic Chapter Mentorship
SSPI’s Chapter in metro Washington DC has a long history of commitment to talent attraction through funding scholarships and internship opportunities. Since 2006, the chapter has raised and awarded more than $170,000 in educational funding. Its latest program is a structured online mentorship program connecting working professionals with young people seeking a career or in the early stages of work in the industry. To learn more, contact SSPI-MA Mentorship Chair Alena Koci.
