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Nikhitha C
Co-Founder & CEO, Society for Space Education, Research and Development (SSERD)
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Do what you love, take that one step ahead.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a Space Entrepreneur focusing on the Space Education for the youths. I teach about various branches of Space through Hands-on & STEM-based activities which will let the students explore Space and gain the skills needed for being part of the Space Revolution. I also guide and mentor those students who are looking to pursue a career in the Space domain.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I was persuing my Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering as per the goals I had set, but I came across many of my friends, Seniors, and Juniors who didn't have a clear idea on what they would study by taking up these courses and what kind of jobs they can try for. I realized that we Indians have passion, goal & dream, but none to guide us. That is when I realized I should help or support other students who are dreaming of getting into the Space domain by teaching and mentoring.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
Founding SSERD, becoming an entrepreneur, attending many Space related Seminars and conferences, organizing International Programs, reaching out to 10,000+ space enthusiast students, traveling to various countries to teach about Space, receiving Dr. Kalpana Chawla Scholarship, Becoming Youth Icon, mentoring students, providing career guidance, becoming a role model, inspiration, etc.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I always wanted to become Pilot, for which I understood, I have to first learn how an airplane works which involves STEM. Later I wanted to learn about Space Systems, which again needed STEM. Since 4 years we are teaching about Space to students through STEM model, we teach the science behind the topic, we let them understand how the technology has improved since years and what would be the future, we also let students design their own model based on solutions they get from doing science and solving the mathematical formulas. Its the best way for anyone to remember anything forever when STEM is applied. I wake up to see helping the students in the rural or inaccessible parts of the world by providing the facilities needed for them to pursue STEM. I wake up to see many girls getting curious and taking the first step towards achieving their goal.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
"Do what you love, take that one step aheaad which had stopped you from achieving what you wanted"
INSPO / FUN FACT
"We have to change those notions that girls are only valuable for their reproductive capacity, The ability to read, write and analyze, the confidence to stand up and demand justice and inequality, take a leadership role - all of that starts with Education" - Michelle Obama