Some executives recognize that one of the most important things they can do is reach out to young professionals and offer support and advice.
“I think it’s every executive’s obligation to give back for the betterment of STEM and the education system, to take the time to give advice to students, to try and be accessible the best they can,” says Steve Isakowitz, CEO of The Aerospace Corporation and founder of the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program.
Explore the Show Daily 2020 Day 2 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
“Students are keen to underestimate themselves, and sometimes the slightest nudge makes them the future industry icon,” Isakowitz adds.
In 2016 at Politicon, Lori Garver, now CEO of Earthrise Alliance, spoke on a space policy panel. In the audience was a young political science student with a deep love for space. She approached Garver for advice and the two stayed in contact. Four years later, Karina Perez Molina works for the Aerospace Industries Association, runs the SGx portion of the SATELLITE conference, and collaborated with Bill Nye for a STEM education fundraiser.
Molina remembers that day as “a weird pivotal point where I was advised to ‘just do this, just go for it.'” She acted on Garver’s advice and followed up consistently, making her a lifelong mentor and friend. “I always encourage students to talk to other executives. You’ve talked to me, you can talk to other executives, we don’t bite,” Isakowitz says. VS
