Engineering physics major launches his NASA career through Pacific’s CO-OP  

Major: Engineering Physics 
Graduation Year: 2025 
Transfer: San Joaquin Delta College 
Hometown: Stockton, California 
Extracurriculars:  Small-Radio-Telescope Group, Tau Beta Pi 

---

Fourth-year engineering physics student Mark Castaneda once faced barriers he wasn’t sure he would overcome. Today, he is employed at NASA. 

Shooting for the stars 

“My journey to where I am now is a huge part of who I am… I am a first-generation, low-income, nontraditional, formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated student,” Mark said. “I’ve had so many doors shut in my face because of my background, but it only takes one open door; keep going until you get that ‘yes.’” 

The door to the world’s most renowned space agency opened for Mark when he was accepted to the highly selective NASA Pathways program—an internship track to employment at the agency.  

After transferring to Pacific during his sophomore year, Mark applied to NASA internships over 30 times, eventually scoring a lower-level internship in 2022 at NASA Goddard. Once his internship at Goddard was complete, Mark kept applying for opportunities at NASA––this time to the highly selective Pathways Program, which would fulfill his CO-OP requirement for Pacific’s School of Engineering and Computer Science. 

Pacific’s Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP) is a collaboration between the university and a vast pool of employers designed to ensure students learn on-the-job, real-time skills within their industry of study, all while earning a salary and college credit. Each CO-OP must meet a series of requirements set by the university and provides opportunities for networking, hands-on work, and a head start on career experience. The program also provides career skills support, including resume writing. Staff monitor students’ progress throughout their CO-OP. 

CO-OPs are an invaluable resource for students like Mark, whose career goals demand he sets himself apart from the talent pool.  

Finally, after years of effort, Mark scored an interview for the Pathways Program. One long month later, he received his offer letter. 

“Something that I found really amazing was that the final application I sent—the one that got me the interview—was the first time I had included my background in my cover letter. I think that helped set me apart,” Mark said. “I’m so happy to work at a place that doesn’t deny me because of my past, but instead lifts me up towards a future.” 

Living a physics engineer’s dream 

Mark’s future at NASA is practically guaranteed. Students hired for Pathways work multiple positions and branches while completing their studies, then continue their work full-time upon graduation. 

“The NASA Pathways program is incredible in that I won’t have to reapply or go through any interview process once I decide to work full-time because I am already considered a NASA civil servant (government employee) in all respects,” Mark said.  

Mark currently works at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in the Aerosciences and Flight Mechanics Division where he studies and develops optical navigation. 

“Here, I am developing technology to guide the Orion spacecraft to put humans back on the moon in upcoming missions,” Mark said. “As it turns out, even with all of humanity’s advancements, navigation using stars is still often the most reliable way to pilot a vessel, and that includes spacecraft.” 

Developing professional and life skills through CO-OP 

Mark says his CO-OP experience has challenged him and helped him grow, pushing him to be a better leader, communicator and teammate.  

“In school, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’ll be able to solve most problems by ourselves. But at work, no success happens without a team,” Mark said. “I’ve developed confidence not in the sense that I’m sure of what I’m doing or that I have all the knowledge required, but confidence to be 100% sure that I can gain that knowledge and ultimately figure it out.”.  

Before coming to Pacific, Mark admits, he did not really understand what an engineer did. But since studying at the School of Engineering and Computer Science, then applying his skills on-the-job at NASA, Mark has realized “engineering” is an expansive and exciting field.  

“I guess I thought engineers worked strictly on engines, like an auto mechanic?” Mark said. “But engineering is a lot like physics—it takes all the concepts and principles developed in the realm of physics and uses them to create, design and solve problems. To bring forward tangible, real-world innovation.” 

Mark is grateful to Pacific’s CO-OP team, particularly Director of CO-OP Irene Camy, for supporting him throughout his journey.  

“Irene is a constant source of support. Her positivity is contagious, and she often checks in with me to see how things are going. It’s nice knowing she has my back,” Mark said.  

Reaching even higher 

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Mark plans to remain in Pathways while he pursues his master’s degree and doctorate. After that, he will complete his Pathways track and officially transfer to full-time employment at NASA. 

Naturally, we asked if Mark would ever consider becoming an astronaut: 

“You know, while it’s not my current plan, the more I see here at NASA, the more I ask myself, ‘how could I not?’” he said. “Being accepted to the astronaut program feels insanely out of reach, but then again, so did getting into the Pathways Program. Maybe I one day I can bring along a little stuffed Powercat as a zero-g indicator.”