NASA Pathways Internships

We strategically hire our Pathways Interns based on long-term potential and alignment with NASA’s future workforce needs. Specializing in multi-semester experiences, the Pathways Internship Program prepares you for a career at NASA and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment at NASA upon graduation. In addition to the Pathways Internship Program, there are many other exciting types of internship opportunities at NASA—check out intern.nasa.gov for more information!

If you have a passion for our mission and feel the calling to change the history of humanity, the Pathways Internship Program is a great way for you to launch your career with NASA!

Who We're Looking For

We’re looking for students who are captivated with our Vision, Mission, and Core Values and embody characteristics integral to NASA’s success. Top candidates are well-rounded students from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate curiosity, team-orientation, excellence, a passion for exploration, agility, and resilience. Prior experience is not required!

The Experience

As a Pathways Intern, we invest in you on purpose—assigning you with challenging, meaningful work aligned with your academic or career interests, providing you with life-long learning and growth opportunities, and cultivating a supportive community that offers you a home away from home.

Careers after Graduation

Throughout your Pathways Internship, you’re given the autonomy to define your own career trajectory at NASA. At the beginning of your internship, we will work with you to develop an “Individual Development Plan” that will help put your experience and path in your hands by defining assignments, training events, and learning opportunities that will help you achieve your career goals.

As you get closer to graduation, we will evaluate your experience and consider you for full-time employment that would begin after you complete your degree. No additional job applications needed!

Types of Internships

Engineering, Science, and Technology

GS-899: Engineering
GS-1399: Physical Sciences

Business

GS-0099: Safety & Occupational Health
GS-299: Human Resources
GS-399: Administration and Program Management & Analysis
GS-599: Accounting & Budget
GS-1099: Communication & Public Relations
GS-1199: Procurement and Contracts
GS-1599: Math & Statistics
GS-2299: Information Technology

Where We Work

There are several NASA centers located across the nation engaged in a variety of work. For examples of the work that our interns perform across the country, take a look at our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

All Pathways Interns must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen;
Be at least 16 years of age;
Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution and maintain enrollment at least half time as defined by the institution;
Be pursuing a degree or certificate;
Currently have and maintain a cumulative 2.9 grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
Be able to complete at least 640 hours of work prior to completing your degree/certificate requirements; and
Required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
Required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
Vacancies also require that applicants be available to begin work between a predetermined timeframe, typically the subsequent two semesters following the closing date of the vacancy for which you applied.

Some NASA centers have additional requirements you will need to meet in order to successfully complete their local program. Please see below for the requirements you will need to meet based on the local center to which you’re applying. View all of the center-specific requirements here:

pathways_summer_2022_-_center_specific_requirements.pdf

How to Apply

All of our Pathways Internship vacancies are posted on USAJobs.gov. Each vacancy lists multiple NASA Center locations and has different educational requirements (e.g., specific academic majors). To begin the process, follow these steps:

Step 1: Do your research. Learn about the type of work performed at each of our NASA facilities so that you’ll be able to find where you’d best fit at NASA based on your academic and career interests.

Step 2: Prepare your application. Visit USAJobs.gov to create your profile, build your resume, and set up a notification that will alert you when our positions open.

Step 3: Apply to a vacancy during the open application window. When you apply, be sure to apply to the vacancy that aligns with BOTH your academic major and preferred geographic location(s) in order to route your application to the type of work you’re interested in. Take a look at our Applicant Guide for lots of information on what to expect during the application process.

Click here for more information on writing your resume, the assessment, application and hiring FAQs, and more.

nasa_pathways_internship_program_applicant_guide.pdf

What We're Currently Recruiting For
Our next application cycle will open in the last summer/early fall. All open NASA vacancy announcements on USAJOBS can be accessed at the link here. (Note: Vacancies will not appear until they open.)

Interviews and selections typically occur within three months of your initial application. As you prepare to apply to our program during the next application window, connect with us via our social media accounts listed above!

For other NASA internship opportunities beyond the Pathways Intern Program that may have different application deadlines, please visit intern.nasa.gov.

Pathways Media
Pathways Informational Videos playlist

NASA Interns Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Who are our interns?

How to be a Successful Intern
Uncommon Origins for NASA Interns

Working Virtually at NASA During the COVID Pandemic

If you have specific questions, please contact the appropriate NASA Center Pathways Team for more details.

Pathways Program Points of Contact