About The Coach

Hi, my name is Jake Gamsky. I’m an aerospace engineer, mission and project manager, entrepreneur, and career coach.

I became an aerospace career coach because I enjoy helping students and early career professionals understand, join, and excel in the aerospace industry.

When I was in high school and college, like most students, I didn’t have a clear idea for what I wanted to do when I grew up.

I would lie in the yard at night and stare into the night sky. The vastness of space always filled me with a sense of wonder, awe, and adventure. However, it wasn’t until I got my first internship at NASA that I knew I wanted to be a part of the aerospace industry.

Sometimes picking a career isn’t that easy though.

The aerospace industry is a unique mix of companies and organizations with new technologies and skill sets forming all the time. It’s a complex arena for students and early career professionals to navigate.

What classes should I take? What type of job will fit me best? What types of things will aerospace employers be looking for on my resume? How can I move up within my company?

Everyone has these questions, and my goal is to help you find the answers to create an aerospace career that gives you energy and purpose.

Picture with my wife, Kaley, and our daughter, Sloane.

Space aerospace engineering career coaching

Picture with my wife, Kaley, our daughter, Sloane, and our dog, Midge.

My Resume

I whole-heartedly believe that how you treat people is more important than what you have accomplished, but if you are like me and need to know the credentials of a person before you start working with them, I've included my resume highlights below.

Aerospace Background

  • Project management certification from Harvard University

  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

  • Engineering Career Advisor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

  • Space Studies Certificate from the International Space University.

  • B.S. in Physics from the University of Kentucky.

  • Developing the Dream Chaser Cargo Spacecraft as a Mission/Program Manager, Sr. Systems Integration Engineer, and Test/Ops Engineer at Sierra Space in Louisville, CO.

  • Launched satellites and developed systems to launch humans for NASA, NOAA, and private companies as a Systems Engineer at United Launch Alliance in Denver, CO.

  • Researched astronaut life support technologies and how turn carbon dioxide back into oxygen for long-duration space missions as a research student at the University of Colorado Boulder.

  • Learned how to engineer a spaceship for humans to travel to the International Space Station as an intern at Sierra Nevada Corporation.

  • Collaborated with Congress, FAA, NASA, and industry members to help promote, govern, and regulate the commercial spaceflight industry at the Commercial Spaceflight Federation in Washington, DC.

  • Tried to grow plants on Mars, created electricity from moon rocks, and made some amazing friends at the NASA Academy Summer Internship Program at Ames Research Center.

  • Developed a cratering rate equation for moon landings as an intern at Kennedy Space Center.

 
My wife, Kaley, and I in front of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spacecraft. I currently work on this project in Louisville, CO.

My wife, Kaley, and I in front of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spacecraft. I currently work on this project in Louisville, CO.

 

Awards, Honors, and Other Stuff

My first aerospace job at Kennedy Space Center. I wasn’t winning any fashion awards, but I was learning about the Space Shuttle Program.

My first aerospace job at Kennedy Space Center. I wasn’t winning any fashion awards, but I was learning about the Space Shuttle Program.

aerospace careers