Blog

Learn how to be a rocket scientist at AIAA SciTech 2016

What if there was one thing you could do to satisfy all of these tips from How To Be a Rocket Scientist? Tip #2: Expand your concept of rocket science Tip #3: Associate with people in the field Tip #4: Read a book on rocket science Tip #6: Make a short take-off (STO) into the […]

aiaa conference
project manager salary

3 benefits of taking a project management approach to your career 2

When I have asked my readers and other people on LinkedIn what topics would be most valuable to them as they pursue their careers in aerospace, PROJECT MANAGEMENT was a common answer.  Reflecting on my own career move into project management, and then obtaining a project management certification (PMP), I agree that this is a […]

4 must-see videos after 15 years on the International Space Station

The ISS has been orbiting Earth for 15 years now, since November 2010.  It has been an incredible source of knowledge and exploration in those years.  It’s also been the source of powerful inspiration and success for many so-called rocket scientists! Enjoy these videos that show us the wonder of modern engineering, international collaboration, and […]

ISS Video
xkcd up goer five

How to explain rocket science using only the 1,000 most common English words

Everything that can be explained, can be explained simply. Is that really true?!  It’s a nice hypothesis and goal for us all. Randall Munroe, the comic genius behind xkcd comics (and a former rocket scientist!), has explained the Saturn V rocket in an illustration that uses only the most 1,000 common words in the English […]

How to be a rocket scientist – ready for a new start?

A few months ago, I created a survey to gain insights into the most urgent needs and frustrations of people who have subscribed to this blog.  I thank everyone, once again, who participated in that survey. Some of those people got a follow up email from me to clarify or explain more about their challenges […]

Ares rocket launch
AIAA membership by gender

AIAA launches new website and LinkedIn Subgroup for the Diversity Working Group 4

Whether you live in the United States or not, if you study and work in the English language and are pursuing a career in aerospace, you know that it’s a difficult field to enter.  It isn’t easy for anyone, in my honest opinion and experience.  But for many people, there are additional challenges and barriers […]

Two girls launch a balloon into space 6

These two girls from Seattle show us, yet again, that being a rocket scientist is not as distant a possibility as you may think!  Awesome project here with their “Loki Lego launcher.”  Enjoy reading the story and watching their inspirational footage. Here is a link to the 7-minute YouTube video: If you want more background, […]

Loki Lego balloon
Ahmed arrest

The Ahmed clock arrest and rocket science 3

I am still trying to understand how somebody like Ahmed Mohamed in Irving, Texas, would have the police called on him BY HIS OWN SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS for bringing in a homemade clock science project. Here is the infamous Ahmed arrest photo that got shared on Twitter and sparked national outrage: I am outraged […]

Project Management Fundamentals video from TheoriesInPractice 2

When I have asked aerospace engineers or engineering students what topics they want to gain experience in or get a job in, project management is a popular answer.

Project management is an effective and popular way to advance your career beyond a purely technical role in engineering or science.  It’s what I did, so I know it works!

My experience came first from OJT, or on-the-job training.  The title and formal position came later.

It wasn’t until I had worked full time as a project manager for nine years that I decided to obtain my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).  To obtain this certification, a person is required to demonstrate significant work experience as a project manager.  Then they must enroll in and pass a course with 35 hours of instruction (when I write this post).  Specifics can be found at the PMI website.

How can you learn about project management faster and sooner than I did?

How can you gain project management knowledge and experience before you have a job as a project manager?

These are excellent questions!  It’s questions like these that I answer in How To Be a Rocket Scientist.

To be a successful aerospace engineer or professional, it takes more than technical skills. It takes resourcefulness, persistence, creativity, and dedication.

Chances are very good that you are already familiar with project management.  You probably have experience with it too.  But unless you are familiar with the terms and concepts used by project management professionals, you won’t appreciate this experience.

When you don’t recognize and appreciate the experience, chances are great that your future or potential managers or employers won’t either.

On the positive side, when you recognize the activities and functions that are an essential part of project management, you’ll be able to jump on opportunities to gain experience with these things when the situations present themselves.

One very effective and accessible way to gain this project management knowledge and experience is to apply Tip #7: Use free and informal educational resources.

I searched YouTube for some short and effective videos on project management fundamentals.  Each of them has their own benefits and limitations.  The one I believe does an excellent job of explaining the key concepts and expectations of a successful project manager is a 10-minute video from two women at TheoriesInPractice. Watch this video to learn the basics of project management in a short and sweet presentation:

You may have trouble with some of the sound quality.  Their example is with a kitchen remodeling. But the content is excellent, and every project shares the same fundamentals, whether it is a kitchen remodeling project, building the next airplane, or engineering a spacecraft to land on Mars.

Are you someone who wants to learn and do more with project management?  Please let me know with a comment below!  And let me know if there are other things about project management in aerospace or aviation that you want to know about.  I’ll look for resources to help you or ask a follow-up question to find out what you have tried so far.

Thanks for navigating your way here to learn and do more with rocket science!

project management fundamentals
Sun Tzu the Art of War

3 ancient Chinese secrets to help you get an aerospace job 6

Over the past two weeks, I have been enjoying more videos from FightMediocrity on YouTube.  The owner and creator makes animated summarizes of books that he reads.  They aren’t ever a straightforward summary of the book.  Instead, he pulls examples or analogies from his own life or modern times to help illustrate the major points […]