While Colorado College has always been known for its excellent education and preparing students for work in the liberal arts, people are now realizing how CC’s education develops future leaders in both the humanities and STEM fields.
Olivia Rask ’21, project engineer at Lockheed Martin, credits CC’s education and faculty members for her massive success in the space industry.
“I am incredibly grateful for my CC education and experiences – the interdisciplinary education and emphasis on critical thinking enabled me to jump into and successfully navigate space’s complex landscape,” says Rask, a Political Science and History major and Education minor.
Rask’s interest in the space industry began in Summer 2019, when she was NORAD and US NORTHCOM’s inaugural undergraduate intern. Upon returning to campus, she reached out to Gretchen Wardell, Student Success Specialist, to discuss opportunities and possible connections to the space industry. Wardell then introduced Rask to Erik Daehler ’98, Vice President of Orbital Systems at Sierra Space and former Lockheed Martin executive, who has mentored Rask ever since.
“Erik has been instrumental in helping me break into, grow, and thrive in the space industry,” says Rask.
After graduating, Rask joined Lockheed Martin as a contract negotiator, where she represented the company as the liaison for Department of Defense customers.
Before meeting Daehler, Rask believed that she had to major in math or engineering to get an entry-level space position. “Thankfully, Erik helped me understand that’s not only wrong but that, actually, CC sets students up perfectly to take on careers in space.”
Every four years, Daehler teaches the Investigations in Engineering: Preparing for a Career in Space Half Block class, which focuses on preparing students to enter the space industry once they graduate from CC. This year, Daehler asked Rask to be a guest speaker in the class, where she noted the importance of a liberal arts education in the space and engineering fields.
“I was so honored when he asked me to be a guest speaker,” says Rask. “I remember wondering if I could top that opportunity; how cool is it to speak about satellite programs with my mentor at our alma mater?!”
CC instills a sense of ethical and social responsibility in its students, equipping future leaders to make responsible decisions and address societal concerns in space exploration and ownership of extraterrestrial spaces.”
Olivia Rask ’21
Rask taught students in the Half Block class about her contracts role and how she now supports program management. After her talk, she asked the class to guess what she majored in.
“The consensus was that I must have studied physics, math, or computer science,” Rask says. “I remember grinning at Erik and saying, ‘I was a political science and history major with a Latin American focus.’ It was awkwardly quiet, so I followed up, ‘Not kidding. My thesis compared U.S. and Brazil’s colonial religion to explain differences between modern women’s rights laws… now I’m a part of the team that will build Australia’s first sovereign satellite communications system.’”
Rask told the class just what Daehler had once told her. That despite having no engineering background, CC equipped them with the skills and perspective critical to being successful in the industry.
“CC instills a sense of ethical and social responsibility in its students, equipping future leaders to make responsible decisions and address societal concerns in space exploration and ownership of extraterrestrial spaces,” says Rask. “Through several blocks abroad, language study, and an area-studies major, CC gave me a global perspective, enabling me to navigate international partnerships and understand the broader implications of space defense and exploration.”
Rask also highlights how CC encourages lifelong learning and resilience, both of which are essential for a career in the space field. “A CC education nurtures adaptability and a thirst for lifelong learning, crucial qualities for keeping up with the changes in this dynamic field. The Block Plan encourages teamwork and collaboration, preparing students to be effective leaders in multidisciplinary teams.”
Rask says she is always looking for ways to pay forward the guidance she received from Daehler and is currently mentoring several CC students. She encourages any CC student considering a career in the space field to reach out to her.