Thermal control is critical to mission success. For instance, if an instrument's temperature range is not properly controlled, it may be unable to perform the task for which it was intended. I was in the fifth grade when I decided I wanted to be an engineer. As an undergraduate student, I particularly enjoyed my thermodynamics and heat transfer classes and decided to purse graduate work in that area. You do a lot of community work with kids.
Kids are so enthusiastic.
Most of them don't have preconceived notions about anything and are open to learning new things. I love to mentor and tutor kids. When I attended John Muir High School in Pasadena, several JPL engineers tutored and mentored a group of us students during our lunch hour, a few days a week. They talked to us about life and career choices. I am so grateful to all of them.