New Program Provides Career Opportunity Pathways into Space Industry for Students

While Pittsburgh boasts a thriving ecosystem of academic institutions, research centers and cutting-edge industries in space, artificial intelligence and healthcare, challenges remain in recruiting and retaining STEM talent, particularly from underserved populations in the region.

A collaboration between the newly launched Pitt Space initiative and Chance to Change Lives (CCL-US), a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering future STEM leaders, is developing the new Space Engineering Pathways (SEP) program. This initiative aims to increase participation among underserved students from the University of Pittsburgh and surrounding colleges who are eager to pursue space-related careers but lack the guidance needed to access these opportunities.

“We’re in need of a robust, diverse workforce to fill emerging jobs in the space industry, including ones that are already available in western Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Rama Bala, president and CEO of Chance to Change Lives and a faculty member of the Pitt Space program. “We want to empower the hidden talent in the region by giving them a head start through this program, providing the area’s space industry with the benefit of local expertise.”

The Space Engineering Pathways Program is offered through Chance to Change Lives’ STEMNetX initiative, providing it as a paid fellowship. The three-month program offers workshops in data analysis, coding and specialized software tools as well as professional development courses. Networking opportunities will also be available. 

“I am very excited about this new fellowship program for Pitt Space and the promise it brings in supporting and preparing the next generation of space engineers,” said Alan George, department chair and R&H Mickle Endowed Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering. George also oversees the Space Engineering faction of Pitt Space. 

Applications for the Space Engineering Pathways Program are open with a deadline of December 31, 2024.