From July 30th to August 1st, I am privileged to attend the ASCEND 2024 conference alongside Zahra Ali and Stella Ristic, courtesy of the Higher Orbits Foundation and Michelle Lucas. During ASCEND, I will join Zahra and Stella, fellow participants in the Go For Launch programs, to speak on the MICRO-22: STEM Gen: Igniting the 21st-Century Workforce panel from 1-2pm PST on Wednesday the 31st.
I eagerly anticipate this opportunity to participate in the conference and share insights, especially following my recent graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and entry into the workforce. I look forward to discussing my educational journey and professional experiences with peers from Higher Orbits and other attendees of the panel. As a newcomer to the aerospace industry, I am particularly excited about the networking prospects this conference offers. With over 75 exhibitors and “nearly 30,000 individual members” involved in AIAA, I am eager to engage with partners and absorb new knowledge.
This conference holds immense promise beyond networking; ASCEND's mission to connect “the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, along with adjacent industries”, promises invaluable insights that I can bring back to my team, contributing to advancements in space exploration and flight.
Reflecting on my journey, before attending Go For Launch in 2018, I aimed to become an engineer but was unaware of the vast opportunities available. It was through Go For Launch that I discovered my passion for developing spacecraft to explore the unknown and expand our understanding of space. Higher Orbits has ignited my enthusiasm for space and human spaceflight, offering endless networking opportunities, learning experiences, and lasting friendships that will shape my future.
I am deeply grateful to the Higher Orbits Foundation, the Go For Launch program, and CEO Michelle Lucas for opening doors and paving the way for my career in the aerospace industry.
Written by Kaley Eaton
