She also encouraged me to be independent. A career in engineering has allowed me to be independent because I can always find a good paying job in which to support myself. It is a terrific feeling not to have to depend on someone else to take care of me. There are a lot of advantages to my job. The main one is that there is something different occurring every day.
Every day there are new challenges and opportunities.
There are new technical issues that come up almost daily which have to be addressed so we can launch the next Space Shuttle. I never have the opportunity to be bored with my job. The other advantage to my job is that it allows me to spend time tutoring and mentoring students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology. NASA encourages employees to be active in the local schools. I have spent at least 6 hours a month participating in activities at the local schools.