Ever considered working in STEM or the space industry?

Blast off into space with Dr. Christyl Johnson, as she speaks about her journey at NASA, starting off as an intern to becoming the first female African American Deputy Director for Technology and Research Investments at NASA Goddard. Hear all about her astronomical achievements, as well as her exciting work to help young women pursue careers in STEM.

“If you want to participate in the space industry, there’s room for everyone” - Dr. Christyl Johnson

She will speak on her journey and experiences, also providing tips for pursuing a career in STEM and how you can launch a career in space. Dr. Johnson will also address why the time for space tech is now!

This event is part of the Visiting Entrepreneur Program, produced by the City of Sydney in collaboration with StartCon and Generation Entrepreneur, a not-for-profit organisation empowering young people through entrepreneurship.

Agenda:

5:00 pm – Doors open and networking
5:30pm – Event begins, presentation from Dr. Christyl Johnson
6:00pm – Fireside Chat with Jack Leung, CEO Generation Entrepreneur
6:30pm – Event concludes, networking

This is a launch event for the brand new Darling Square Library Ideas Lab, Sydney’s newest makerspace and innovation hub. The Ideas Lab connects the best and brightest with Sydney’s most curious minds.

About Dr. Christyl Johnson:

As NASA Goddard’s deputy director for technology and research investments, Dr. Christyl Johnson has a wide array of remarkable achievements and duties, ranging from managing Goddard’s research and development portfolio, to formulating the centre’s future technology goals, and most importantly, standing as an advocate for women in the STEM and space ecosystems.

Dr. Johnson is the first female African American to serve as NASA Goddard’s deputy director for technology and research investments, which is serving as a catalyst and inspiration for young women to pursue careers in STEM. When she was younger, Dr. Johnson was intrigued with space, like most children, especially after watching the Apollo 11 moon landing; in that moment, she decided she wanted to become an astronaut when she was older. Her parents said, “If that’s what you want to be, you know you could do it. You just have to put your mind to it and, once you decide, you have to make it happen.” And ever since then, Dr. Johnson has worked tirelessly to get to where she is now.

Dr. Johnson graduated from Lincoln University with a bachelor’s degree in physics, as well as a master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in electrical engineering, and her Ph.D. in systems engineering from George Washington University.

About Jack Leung:

Jack Leung is the CEO of Generation Entrepreneur, a non-for-profit advocating for high school entrepreneurship across New South Wales. He believes deeply in the power of youth entrepreneurship to solve social issues, and make a larger difference in society.

Alongside his advocacy work, he spend his time working in technology companies making a global impact, and has worked in corporate innovation roles at UNSW and Ashurst LLP.

About Darling Square Library:

Darling Square Library, The City of Sydney’s new hub for learning, innovation and creativity, will open on Monday 28 October in the vibrant new neighbourhood next to Haymarket and Darling Harbour. The library is spread over 2 floors of The Exchange, a stunning building designed by designed by Japanese Architects Kengo Kuma & Associates.