Experiential learning sparks interest in aerospace and business

Rocket engineer, Jana Spruce joins John Tulac on the Professionals of the Inland Empire (PIE) podcast to discuss aerospace and business.

Spruce’s career path began with a degree in aerospace engineering, where she worked with commercial satellites in Southern California. She earned her MBA from UCLA and contributed to startups, including Eclipse Aviation in Albuquerque. After consulting for Collins Aerospace in the Inland Empire, she relocated to Houston to assist with next-generation spacesuit development. Presently, Jana serves as the vice president of spacecraft at Firefly, where she led the Blue Ghost lander that successfully landed on the moon.

Spruce’s initial inspiration came from her fascination with human innovation and engineering, sparked by her interest in jets and aircraft from a young age. She witnessed the decline of the aerospace industry in Southern California during the late 20th century, which shifted her interests towards various aspects of space and engineering, including defense. Space is perceived as presenting “hard problems” due to environmental constraints, compelling her to engage further in the field. Personal connections also shaped her journey, as her father worked at Aerojet on the Saturn V program, fostering her interest in significant space program milestones such as Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.

Spruce addressed the current impact of space programs in inspiring youth to pursue STEM fields, comparing contemporary interest in space to the historical excitement surrounding the space shuttle program. Organizations like Firefly aim to engage young individuals and showcase diverse career opportunities within the space sector. The human element in space exploration is crucial in boosting public enthusiasm, with future missions like Artemis anticipated to inspire the next generation.

At the Inland Empire Facility, Collins Aerospace focuses on chemical detection technology for various applications, including monitoring air quality on the International Space Station (ISS). This technology is vital for maintaining safe environments in sealed settings like space and underwater.

The technological advances achieved through space programs have led to numerous innovations that impact everyday life. There is a need to inspire youth to explore a broader spectrum of careers, including vocational skills, especially as young people often lack awareness of the diverse opportunities available in industries like aerospace. The challenging job market has further raised concerns about recent college graduates securing employment.

Spruce also discussed risk management as an essential component for fostering innovation and growth. Nonetheless, she observed that corporate cultures sometimes discourage risk-taking. She suggested that agile strategies in engineering should focus on tackling challenging problems first, consequently creating more efficient workflows while drawing successful practices from leading companies like SpaceX.

Looking ahead, the future importance of collaboration and experiential learning in engineering education and workforce training is emphasized, along with the excitement surrounding upcoming space missions that have the potential to inspire youth.

The PIE podcast aims to showcase Inland Empire professional talent, foster local economic development, and highlight the Provisors networking community. Catch the full show on YouTube @ProfessionalsofInlandEmpire.