In the second part of this episode of Conversations with Scientists and Astronauts, former NASA administrator, Shuttle pilot, and astronaut Charles Bolden Jr. encourages students to learn from his remarkable story. He shares his journey from his time in the United States Naval Academy to piloting the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, enthusiastically corroborating career advice with his profound life lessons.
Charles Bolden Jr. expresses his foundational belief that reaching out and presenting oneself is the catalyst for careers, preaching that “closed mouths do not get fed”. He furthers this notion of inspiration by delving into core values were became baked into him throughout his life. Providing anecdotes from each step of his journey, Charles Bolden Jr. illustrates that these lessons apply to more than being an astronaut and should be welcomed by students everywhere. He reflects on stories of his crewmates, especially Franklin Chang-Diaz, who was dedicated to becoming an astronaut despite the barriers in front of him.
The program closes with personal words from Bolden Jr. emphasizing the importance of discipline, which he notes is a key to life.
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