A Legacy of Flight & the Boeing BASE Externship
Two weeks ago, I watched SpaceX successfully launch the first crewed commercial spacecraft. It was an incredible achievement for space travel as we know it, and for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
I just wished my Grandparents could’ve been there to see it.
My Grandparents worked as Boeing contractors at both the Michoud Assembly Facility, and later, at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. My Grandfather was working on the Saturn V’s S-IC stage support, with people like Wernher von Braun, Chris Kraft, and astronauts like Apollo 1’s Ed White. My Grandmother was his Secretary, and unfortunately, the work she did was less known and documented.
It was three years ago when I stumbled up on the Boeing BASE Externship. The Boeing Accelerated Student Experience (BASE) program is for undergrads grade sophomore or higher, and takes place in Seattle, WA depending on major and background. The week long event is offered to classes of about 40+ students from all over the U.S. at no cost.
They’d just held their first program, and I was instantly hooked given my family’s history. I bookmarked the program in my calendar so that I knew to apply the following year. In 2018, I applied and went through a round of interviews for the program. About a month prior to the start date, I was accepted into the first St Louis, MO program.
Over the course of the week long program, I participated in a variety of activities including a case competition, scavenger hunt, escape room, and a trip to the Prologue room at Boeing HQ. On top of discussions about Boeing’s history and various lines of business, along side Q&As with Boeing Leadership.
For those that are looking for a long-term career with Boeing, participating in the Externship is a great way to get visibility for Boeing’s internship programs. I was interviewing for a Software Internship with Boeing when I was offered a role at Facebook.
“Scientists say there is no life on the moon. I look at the moon today, see the faces from NASA, industry, science and academe who brilliantly sent Americans to that place, and I know differently.” — Chris Kraft, “Flight: My Life in Mission Control.”
