Advice to Rocket Scientists: A Career Survival Guide for Scientists and Engineers (Library of Flight Series) [Paperback]

Jim Longuski (Author), Purdue University J. Longuski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2004 | ISBN-10: 156347655X | ISBN-13: 978-1563476556

A former NASA engineer and astronautics professor offers down-to-earth advice and recommended reading on preparing for and surviving in science-related professions. This book is especially valuable for those who are attempting career transitions between the work place and academic environments.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An important book. . . I wish I had this book before starting my career!" -- Dr. Enrico Lorenzini, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

It took me years to learn much of what's in this book... The book is wonderfully written... -- Dr. William J. O’Neil, Galileo Project Manager, 1990-1998, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

This easy-to-read book explains the side of being successful that the professors do not teach... -- Dr. Gerald R. Hintz, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

About the Author

Jim Longuski joined Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1979 after earning a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan.

As a maneuver analyst and mission designer at JPL, Longuski helped plan NASA's Galileo Mission to Jupiter.

In 1988, Longuski began teaching astronautics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He has published over one hundred conference and journal articles on spacecraft dynamics and control, reentry theory, mission design, and space trajectory optimization.

Recently, Longuski collaborated with Professor Ephraim Fischbach (at Purdue) and Professor Daniel J. Scheeres (at the University of Michigan) to propose an experiment to test Einstein's theory of gravity at an unprecedented accuracy. This new test of General Relativity would precisely measure the deflection of a spacecraft during a close encounter with the sun.

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics & Ast (January 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156347655X
• ISBN-13: 978-1563476556
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great career advice!, March 6, 2004

By 

Christoph Wagner (Joliet, Il USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advice to Rocket Scientists: A Career Survival Guide for Scientists and Engineers (Library of Flight Series) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. It is brief, has short chapters, is easy to read and has plenty of humor. Trying to figure out what I should do, I have read a few carreer books myself but became exremely bored with them very fast, because they would just spend too much time with unnecessary information e.g. statistics/surveys to support their arguments and plenty of analysis. This book has non of that. If I had a chance to ask the authors of the other carreer books one question, it would be: So, what are you NOT telling me? This book is the answer to that. Having worked in the industry for several years, I am very confident to make this assesment. I can also say, that many of the tips in this book can be applied not only to the US but to Europe as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Advice from a Rocket Scientist, June 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Advice to Rocket Scientists: A Career Survival Guide for Scientists and Engineers (Library of Flight Series) (Paperback)

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The author, Jim Longuski, is a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University. He also worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) for nine years, so he knows what he is talking about.

This book grew out of a lecture that he gives to graduating seniors called "What Your Professor Never Taught You." The subject might be described as "career advice", but it is quite different from other books of that sort. The writing style is friendly and conversational, with lots of anecdotes and humor. I found it hard to stop reading.

Broadly speaking, there are two parts to the book: "surviving and thriving in industry" and "thriving and surviving in academia." (Professor Longuski has done both.) Some of the chapter titles are:

It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist to Be a Rocket Scientist.
Does This Mean You Have to Kiss Butt?
What if My Boss is Incompetent?
Why You Need Two Resumes.
How to Survive Your First Two Weeks on the Job.
How to Give a Presentation to Rocket Scientists.
Why Working on Your Ph.D. is Fun.
How Not to Give an Academic Interview.
The Academic Seminar for Hire.
What it Takes to Get Tenure.

Professor Longuski wrote this book because he really cares about his students and wants them to be happy with their lives. I think that anyone in engineering or science could learn something from it --- and be entertained too!

- Troy McConaghy (one of Jim Longuski's graduate students)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important reference book for any scientist or engineer, July 31, 2005

By 

Michael Jokic (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advice to Rocket Scientists: A Career Survival Guide for Scientists and Engineers (Library of Flight Series) (Paperback)

I have no hesitation in recommending that Advice to Rocket Scientists be a part of any professional's reference library. The principles and recommendations within this book have proved invaluable during my graduate studies and subsequent transition to the workplace.

The book is a pleasure to read and full of helpful advice. I have found the section titled "How to Get the Right Job" particularly useful. The insight provided by Jim Longuski into the importance of the "Boss" has proven to be quite astute. Advice to Rocket Scientists is a unique source of sound instruction and useful suggestions presented in an entertaining and accessible format.