Co-op/Intern: Spotlight Robert Consolo Jr

First, let me introduce myself! My name is Robert Consolo, B.S. in Commercial Space Operations (2017), B.S. in Human Factors (2017), currently pursuing M.S. Mechanical Engineering (ex. Dec 2021). I started at Embry-Riddle since Fall 2013 as an Aerospace Engineering major, got a 1.8 CGPA in my first semester, and realized I needed to change a lot in my life fast if I wanted to live up to my dream of being an astronaut. In that time, I have been involved in numerous organizations, completed internships at NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, & Northrop Grumman, and have recently accepted a full-time offer to become a NASA Flight Controller on the SPARTAN console after graduation in December 2021. If you’re like me and have been chasing the dream job since you were a kid but now you’re at the point that there is so many paths in front of you making you fear what to do next. Don’t worry, I know that feeling and I’m here to tell you what I did to get my exciting opportunities, how you can keep the chase going while enjoying every day of the journey, and to tell you that your past does not define you, it is what you do today that does!

Obtaining awesome & exciting internships is what makes the college experience! It validates your abilities and helps refine your own image of what you want to do in the future. After 5 of them, I’ve learned this more than most! Getting these opportunities relies on two primary factors. First, the ability to speak in a manner that is engaging and exciting! Secondly, network, network, network! It is the foundation in which careers are built.

Rule #1: Know the who, talk the what/why! Your network gets you the meeting. Your elevator pitch gets you the support! The excitement of getting to meet you will carry into interview/offer decisions.

My first internship, Launch Range Project Management Intern at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, was my first internship that required a little bit of elbow grease to get. The NASA internship program (non-pathways) at the time was known as the One Stop Shopping Initiative and listed vacancies at all NASA sites. In total, I applied to nearly 250 positions total at NASA, and the result was an offer based “on a hunch”. My manager at the time called me, said he liked my resume, how it was presented, and my major of Commercial Space Operations (now known as Spaceflight Operations) was interesting, so while this position was meant for an aerospace engineer, he was going to give me a shot.

Rule #2: Just because something in the Job Description is “Preferred” doesn’t mean you are ineligible. Apply anyway! The worst anyone can say is no.

During this internship, I assisted in the overseeing, planning, and execution of 4 missions. 3 of which were sounding rocket launches and 1 was the OA-5 ISS Resupply Launch. Additionally, I was assigned as the Console Design Lead for the full technological overhaul of the Range Control Center (Wallops version of Mission Control). There, I designed, tested, and presented multiple console designs providing both technical and economic impacts of each. My designs were so heavily embraced, that the center ordered a room full of them and installed them all per my design. One of my crowning career achievements even to today!

My second internship was with SpaceX as an Associate Engineer in Flight Reliability. I was able to get this position strictly because of my on-campus network! I was referred to the position by a previous SpaceX intern who, at the time, was involved on the ERPL team whom I met through various recruitment sessions and interactions with the EcoCAR team/SGA. During this internship, I was working with our FAA counterparts to provide engineering information on our applications for launch vehicles and launch facilities. I provided input on system improvements and gained an understanding of operational anomaly investigation, flight reliability, and day of launch operations Additionally, I programmed in Python the ability to automatically construct the 15 Day Readiness FAA deliverable shortening task time from 2+ hours to 15 minutes.

Rule #3: Impostor Syndrome is real and it’s overwhelming. DO NOT let it take you down. Communicate constantly with your team and celebrate your victories! You are there to learn and everything won’t be perfect, but give it your all and be prepared to learn from your mistakes.

My third internship was with Boeing as a Flight Deck & Crew Operations Design Engineer. This position was the result of networking and interviews at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) conference. Here I constructed and executed numerous detailed test plans of flight deck systems utilizing full scale simulator mockups in support of flight testing and design improvements. In total, I flew the 777X simulator for 90 hours, the 737MAX for 40 hours, the 787 for 25 hours, and the 747 for about 6 hours. Additionally, I participated and presented in Design Review Boards which analyzed new designs impacting systems, provided feedback, and addressed potential concerns as we designed the flight deck of the future for future airframes built at Boeing.

My fourth internship, a COVID lockdown internship, was virtually with Northrop Grumman Space. Being a virtual internship, I worked for the Arizona based, system safety engineering, common hardware team while staying here in Daytona Beach and got this internship also from a SHPE conference! Virtual work was new area for everyone, from the interns to the full-time, and we all had no choice but to embrace it which required a very different work ethic.

Rule #4: Adaptability separates the good from the great. Learn how to maneuver evolving situations, keep a level head, and COMMUNICATE. All are skills that can be achieved in organizations right here on campus.

In this role, I conducted detailed reviews of Flight Termination System (FTS) ordnance test reports and component drawing change requests, constructed work packages and documentation and presented to relevant Range and NG personnel regarding requirement and ordnance component updates, and gained familiarity with flight termination commonality standards, ground-based FTS and Autonomous FTS system-level/component-level architectures and test requirements, and ordnance such as charges and initiators.

Last but certainly not least, I interned this past summer in Flight Operations as a SPARTAN ISS/Artemis MPO Flight Controller Intern at NASA Johnson Space Center with KBR. Here I would construct, review, and execute training plans, operational products, and support real-time operations for astronauts participating in assigned ISS operations, participate in integrated ISS flight controller simulations providing feedback on controller decision making and enhancing future decisional knowledge, shadow controllers through various On-The-Job training opportunities such as assisting in the training of multiple crews in preparation for their missions, participate in multiple flight controller certifications and trainings resulting in being certified in teaching astronauts and flight controllers about the Electrical Power Group on ISS, certified to send commands to the ISS, and complete the first segment of the flight controller training flow. A dream job for most, I can tell you that not only is it a reality, but it certainly is just as exciting as you have made out in your head.

How has your involvement on campus assisted with your internship work?

My on-campus involvement has played a huge role in who I am today. Wide ranging, multi-discipline, leadership opportunities make your resume stick out consistently and it is so important that you capitalize on showing your potential through organization right here on campus. I have served as Fundraising Officer, Vice President, and now Advisor for Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Student Representative (now Senator), Student Finance Board Member (now Treasury), and Vice President of the Student Government Association, System Safety Lead, Project Manager, and Human Machine Interface Lead for the ERAU EcoCAR team are just some of my more notable positions. Each position provided its own opportunity to put my leadership abilities to the test, challenged me technically and mentally, and most importantly, provided me experiences to which I can communicate in an interview when they asked the always guaranteed question of “Tell me a time when…”. It also provided the context and the knowledge necessary so that when you do enter an internship, you know how to communicate, you know how to self-start, and while we all feel terrified of that first moment in industry, you will know what you are doing and innovative ways of how to go about doing it!

Have your future career objectives changed due to your various internship experiences?

As mentioned earlier, my college career had a rocky start. Even with that difficulty in front of me, I never strayed from my objectives which were:

1. Get a degree in engineering
2. Develop a thorough network of industry professionals
3. Pursue the dream of being an Astronaut and/or a Flight Controller

My internships while fantastic and exciting were not always perfect. Failures did occur and I believe it was my very first failure that separated me from many others as I already knew the framework of how to pick yourself up out of the mud, and keep striving toward your goals. It’s because of this, that allowed my career objectives to change, but not for the worse. Rather, I am now able to cross off multiple parts as I move on to be a NASA Flight Controller straight from college, get my M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and be one step closer to being an astronaut.

Let’s recap the rules.

Rule #1: Know the who, talk the what/why! Your network gets you the meeting. Your elevator pitch gets you the support! The excitement of getting to meet you will carry into interview/offer decisions.

Rule #2: Just because something in the Job Description is “Preferred” doesn’t mean you are ineligible. Apply anyway! The worst anyone can say is no.

Rule #3: Impostor Syndrome is real and it’s overwhelming. DO NOT let it take you down. Communicate constantly with your team and celebrate your victories! You are there to learn and everything won’t be perfect, but give it your all and be prepared to learn from your mistakes.

Rule #4: Adaptability separates the good from the great. Learn how to maneuver evolving situations, keep a level head, and COMMUNICATE. All are skills that can be achieved in organizations right here on campus.

With that I have one last rule for you to take with you.          

Rule #5: Most importantly, do not go gentle into that good night. Never take “No” or “Impossible” as an answer. Prove them wrong. Go out there, learn, experience, get it done, and don’t ever stop the fight or the learning.

Embry-Riddle is one of the best institutions in our field. While we face our own fair share of quirks, I have spoken to numerous people from different universities (Ivy Leagues included) and nothing compares to the experiential learning opportunities that are available to you here. 240+ student-run organizations with massive potential and numerous more research projects available across the university. Capitalize on this. While it is so easy to sit in your dorm/apartment, get involved! Develop your soft skills and apply your technical skills. If you’re an engineer, take on a business role. Business majors, pick up a wrench and learn something new. Challenge yourself, fail, learn, and do it better the next. As with many things, my saying to all I advise personally is “Embry-Riddle and its degree programs are all about what you put into it. You put in the bare minimum and you will get that in return. You give it your all, and your dreams can come true.” I’m forever grateful for my years here and I wish that everyone takes a lesson from my journey and applies it to their own so that YOU can also achieve your dreams. To Embry-Riddle, thank you! To the students, the only person in your way is you. Go and get it. Roll Flock and Forever an Eagle.