There are just a couple weeks left to apply for the 2022 Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program—an incredible summer experience for students passionate about commercial spaceflight—by the deadline on October 29, 2021! Looking for some encouragement as you finish up your application? We asked the 2021 Class of Fellows what they would say to a prospective applicant. Read on for their thoughts:
The 2021 Class of Matthew Isakowitz Fellows
Michael Adeyi: “The MIFP is the most comprehensive fellowship program that I know of, and being a fellow it is all it is promoted to be and more. The internships themselves are great opportunities and cover a wide array of companies, but is the mentorship, networking opportunities, and general camaraderie among current fellows and alumni that makes the program invaluable and a no-brainer to apply to.”
Raghav Bhagwat: “The opportunity to build connections with the top executives in the space industry, who were all genuinely interested in helping each fellow achieve their dreams, is something that will undoubtedly have a huge positive impact on the rest of my career.”
Sidney Boakye: “Do it, apply. It's a once in a lifetime experience. If you are passionate about commercial spaceflight or just spaceflight in general, apply, and let your passion shine through in your application. MIFP is one amazing opportunity, after another, after another, after another. When you think the team can't top a panel, or tour, or activity they just did; they find a way to exceed it with the next one anyways!”
Sam Boling: “An amazing experience that will kick start your career in ways you don't expect. After this fellowship, you'll have a connection at basically every commercial space company who are all extremely willing to help you.”
Madeline Bowne: “The breadth and depth of learning experiences during this fellowship simultaneously narrowed my focus and broadened my perspective. I encourage anyone passionate about space to apply.”
Lucy Brown: “DO IT! Don’t be intimidated by the program, just go for it. You will meet the most amazing people in the industry today, and you will feel invigorated and inspired by what you see. This program will give you amazing guidance for your career and insight into the commercial space industry that I’ve never gotten elsewhere.”
Mary Cooper: “MIFP is a family. This fellowship provided me with more guidance and confidence in commercial space than any other experience or degree could.”
Chava Friedman: “The Matt fellowship is one of the most unique and exciting opportunities out there to get involved in the aerospace industry in a meaningful way. But beyond that, the fellowship is about building a community of leaders in the commercial aerospace industry who are invested in the betterment of humanity. It's a community that is truly greater than the sum of its parts, made up of individuals who wants to use their brief moment on this planet to be a part of something much greater than themselves.”
Amelia Gagnon: “Please apply!! It is one of the best decisions I have made. Not only have I gotten a much better grasp on where I would like my career to go but I feel empowered to go out and get there. Each component of this fellowship: the internship, your executive mentor, and the summit are what really sets this learning experience apart and each contribute to nurturing a different aspect of your career and education. The capstone event during the fellowship is the summit.”
Maor Gozalzani: “Being a part of the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program is truly a life-changing experience. The program provides fellows with unbelievable opportunities and exposes students to the core of the commercial spaceflight industry. The internship, executive mentor, summit, and other fellows included as part of the program create a holistic experience that is unmatched by any other program or internship.”
Kadin Hendricks: “The Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship was a truly amazing experience and an even better opportunity to get to know the aerospace industry and the people that make it so great. My internship and the summit will be experiences that I will remember forever not just for industry experience, but for the wonderful people who mentored me and the crazy number of friends I made along the way.”
Halen Mattison: “This program the best possible first step into a career in commercial spaceflight. It's incredible to find a cohort of engaged, caring colleagues with similar dreams and ambitions. Being a part of this fellowship has expanded my perspective and driven me to aim higher.”
Thomas McBride: “This program was incredibly helpful in shaping my career trajectory in commercial space -- from exposing me to various work environments, companies, and executives to providing me first-hand experiences in the industry. I now know the career path I wish to take, and I couldn't be more grateful.”
Kelly Reid: “DO NOT SLEEP on this opportunity! It took me two tries to become a fellow, and I'm telling you it was worth it. The fellowship provides so much more than a paid internship at a top tier commercial spaceflight company, you come out of it with a newfound confidence in yourself and your abilities and are so inspired to pursue your wildest of dreams. I not only gained an amazing network, but a family too. These are the people that will be rooting for me along my career pursuits but also life pursuits in general. Do yourself a favor and apply, the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program is your launching pad to your future!”
Alay Shah: “When I applied for the fellowship, I was really excited for a great internship and the ability to get mentorship from an executive in the industry. What I wasn’t expecting was to suddenly be a part of a family of fellows who share my passion for helping humanity find its way into the stars.”
Miles Simpkins: “It’s the people. You will meet the most genuine, kind, and inspirational group of people while jump-starting your career in the commercial space industry. Do not pass on this opportunity!”
Hannah Tomio: “I’m so thankful to have been an MIFP fellow - from the hands-on internship work to the regular one-on-one mentoring sessions to the networking with astronauts and CEOs at the Summit, this has been one of the most amazing experiences of my career thus far. The best part, however, was meeting the whole cohort of fellows - I can’t imagine a more inspiring, passionate group of people.”
Dezell Turner: “If you're passionate about space, apply, and don't let anything stop you.”
Gautham Viswaroopan: “MIFP is once-in-a-lifetime. Experiences through this fellowship are not equivalent to a regular summer internships and the friends, mentors, and unique experiences you gain along the way are unforgettable. More than just seeing each other as friends, there was more of a familial atmosphere which is what I found best in our cohort. No one competed or compared with another - we brought each other's strengths out and not only made us better in technical aspects, but in character as well.”
Reiley Weekes: “My Fellowship experience left me with a loss of words for a few days following the summit. Between the other fellows, the mentors, and the opportunity engage with the titans of the commercial space industry it’s hard to really describe the scope of the positive impact the fellowship had on me. It was three days that felt like three weeks and when it was over I was immediately ready for more. I imagine I’ll be close friends with my fellow fellows for years to come and I already can’t wait to see them all again and hear about their latest accomplishments at next year’s alumni day.”
Amber Yang: “MIFP is the single most important thing you can do as a student interested in a career in commercial spaceflight. The mentors you are given and the industry leaders you will meet through the Summit will change your perspective.”
Have more questions about the process? Reach out to apply@mattfellowship.org. The Summer 2022 application is due Friday, October 29, 2021. Visit www.matthewisakowitzfellowship.org to apply!
