When Madhavi Latha Balijepalle observed that her morning commute took her previous NASA Ames Analysis Heart in California’s Silicon Valley, she set a brand new profession purpose for herself: working for NASA.
“I began manifesting it, eager about it day by day as I drove by. Once I began searching for a brand new job, I noticed a gap and determined to use,” mentioned Balijepalle, a senior database administrator working on the Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) at NASA Ames.
Eight and a half years later, she helps the researchers and builders who analysis next-generation options to advance plane expertise and air site visitors administration.
A journey into the unknown
Balijepalle’s journey to NASA began 1000’s of miles away. She grew up in a small city in southern India, learning electrical engineering in faculty and establishing a profession in info expertise, working in C++ and Python.
When her husband discovered a job alternative in america, Balijepalle’s life took an surprising flip.
“I by no means deliberate to maneuver to America,” mentioned Balijepalle. “It was not simple to come back right here, regardless that my husband had a job. I stayed in India for nearly 9 months, earlier than he discovered a special job that might assist us with my visa and documentation.”
After settling into her new nation, rising her household, and creating in her new profession, Balijepalle started to ponder her dream job at NASA. She and her youthful daughter, a fellow house fan, loved speaking in regards to the company’s work in house, and when a Linux administrator place opened up, she jumped on the probability.
A dream job turns into actuality
On the AOL, Balijepalle was initially chargeable for managing the lab’s Linux servers and functions. As we speak, she additionally helps researchers and builders with growth, automation, and deployment of their work.
“Latha is the lifeblood of the lab,” mentioned Jeff Homola, co-lead of the Airspace Operations Laboratory at NASA Ames. “With out her unwavering dedication to creating certain our programs are secure, safe, updated, and working easily, we’d not be capable to do what we do within the lab.”
One in every of Balijepalle’s proudest achievements throughout her NASA profession is her language expertise. Rising up, she spoke Telugu and Hindi, and realized English, however communication was nonetheless a problem when she arrived at NASA.
“I spoke English once I got here to America, however not as properly, and never utilizing the technical language we use at NASA,” mentioned Balijepalle. “I’m proud that I’ve improved my communications expertise.”
“Step exterior your consolation zone”
Wanting again on the commute that modified her life, Balijepalle says she owes all of it to being as much as the problem.
“I wasn’t a danger taker, I didn’t take into consideration stepping exterior my consolation zone, however as I drove by NASA Ames every day, I began to consider astronauts. They step exterior their consolation zone and go away the planet, so perhaps I might take a danger, too.”
For individuals who additionally dream of working at NASA in the future, Balijepalle has some recommendation: strive doing it her manner.
“Begin eager about it and manifesting your dream. Possibly it’s going to come true, and perhaps it received’t, however you may as properly strive.”
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Sourcing information and pictures from nasa.gov/information
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