Hometown: Shreveport Now resides in: Houston Degree: 2001, B.S., Industrial Engineering How I got to Tech: My parents and grandparents are Tech grads, so I knew about the university through their experiences. Throughout high school I planned to major in dance. However, at some point during my senior year I had a change of heart and decided to pursue engineering. I would dance as a hobby, but make a living as an engineer. After making that decision, I knew Tech was the place to be. It is the best engineering school in Louisiana and has the most innovative programs.

After graduating: United Space Alliance, a NASA contractor, came to Tech’s career fair. I received a job with United Space Alliance and worked there for a year as a flight controller. When my husband, Ross Taylor (2001, B.S., Mechanical Engineering), and I were married, I moved to Austin where he was enrolled at the University of Texas. I worked for NetQoS, a network performance management company founded by a Tech grad. After two years, my former NASA boss called and asked if I would return to NASA. The timing was right because my husband was about to graduate, and I was thrilled about the opportunity to return to the space industry. I accepted, and now I am a NASA employee.

About my job: I am responsible for the real-time operation of the Command and Data Handling (C&DH) systems for the International Space Station (ISS), which is the network of computers responsible for controlling all of the ISS systems. This position requires working as a team to develop procedures and guidelines; perform integrated testing; develop training materials; and assess failures, impacts, and solutions as problems arise. I am also the C&DH team lead for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and backup for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV). My responsiblities include understanding how ATV and HTV interact with our system, working with our ESA and JAXA counterparts to ensure the successful integration of their vehicles with the ISS, developing procedures and rules, and developing training for the ODIN team.

About my summer fellowship: I was recently awarded a NASA fellowship to attend International Space University’s Summer Session Program in Strasbourg, France. I will represent Johnson Space Center for this two-month program. The program will focus on international, intercultural and interdisciplinary teams in the space industry. ISS has worldwide partners and we have to collaborate with them on a daily basis. This program will give me insight and training on how to effectively work with our international partners and manage projects from an international perspective.

On-the-job training: I’m in one of those jobs that you can’t train for unless you work at NASA. Tech provided a solid foundation on which to build and taught me how to learn, which has enabled me to excel in my job.

Advice to college-bound students: Work hard. Care about the people around you, and have fun.

Tips on choosing a major: Evaluate your strengths and pair them with something you would enjoy as a career.

Advice to someone who wants to enter my field: Believe in yourself. People are often amazed I work for NASA, but really it’s just another job. If you have the desire and the confidence, you can do anything.

My toughest professional challenge: Graduating from college and realizing I didn’t know anything. By that I mean college can’t teach you everything you need to know in your job. Tech taught me how to learn and work with those around me. Those fundamentals have helped me excel in every job.

Memories of Tech: Tech is where I met my husband, Ross Taylor. During the first two years of college, we had all of our classes together in the integrated engineering curriculum. I fondly recall 2 a.m. study dates at Johnny’s Pizza, working all night on projects, and enjoying the spring release crawfish boil. Some of my very best friends today, I met at Tech through engineering, Kappa Delta and Chi Alpha. I also had a great time with my two cousins who attended Tech while I was there and are the closest people to sisters in my life since I am an only child.

Triumphs in my life: Earning respect and recognition for doing my best, which has opened doors for me – like going to International Space University. On a personal level, having a wonderful husband and the opportunity to impact the youth at our church has been very rewarding.

I knew I was grown up when: I bought my house.

If I weren’t a flight controller, I’d probably be: A teacher or a pastor.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: Relationships are the most valuable things we can possess with God, family and friends.

Instead of work, something I’d rather do on a Monday morning: Dance.