Scott Lever shared his experiences as Mission Manager of the Mars Exploration Rover and provided some top tips for students looking to embark on a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
He said: “If you want a job in technology, the demand is so high right now that your chances of getting a good job are great but remember, there’s more than one path and you’ve just got to keep fighting.”
NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover was celebrated for lasting nearly 15 years despite being designed to last only 90 days.
The mission was formerly ended earlier this month after the rover fell silent following a global dust storm.
The computer scientist started working at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory more than 30 years ago and said that a career in STEM was a “ticket to a better life.”
He added: “More than ever, people realise that being a geek is about as cool as it gets. Everybody who gets involved in these jobs is changing the world every day.”
He specifically highlighted the importance of maths and English, saying: “No matter what your career, you’re going to use maths. English is also critical, your ability to communicate with people is what sets you apart, and the better you do, the better your job opportunities are.”