NASA | Women@Goddard: Meet Maria Nowak

The speaker shares their journey from a theater degree to a technical career at Goddard, highlighting the importance of creativity in technical fields. They describe their initial experiences, the excitement of working in a dynamic environment, and the challenges faced in their job. The speaker emphasizes the need for flexibility and problem-solving skills, as well as the ethical responsibility to deliver meaningful work to taxpayers.

What was the narrator's initial feeling when starting their new job?

• Confident and relaxed

• Overwhelmed and regretful

• Intimidated but excited

• Bored and uninterested

How did the narrator's background in theater benefit their technical role?

• It provided them with creative problem-solving skills

• It allowed them to perform in company events

• It helped them memorize technical manuals

• It made them more competitive in the job market

What was a key factor in the narrator securing a job at Goddard?

• Their degree in engineering

• Their extensive experience in optics

• Their passion and the internship experience

• Their connections in the industry

What does the narrator find most exciting about their job?

• Trying new techniques and analyzing data

• The routine and predictability

• The high salary and benefits

• The opportunity to travel

How does the narrator view their responsibility in their job?

• They prioritize their personal goals

• They answer only to their project manager

• They feel accountable to the taxpayers

• They focus on meeting deadlines