We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mike Verdin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mike below.
Mike, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
How do I find my purpose is such an interesting question because when I think back to my adolescent years, I was going through my life with blinders on, focused only with what was in front of me at the time. I was a kid, and was only concerned about when my next sports practice was or when I’d see my friends again. When in college, it was more of the same, but with a heightened awareness of making sure I was on track to get good grades and pass my courses.
It wasn’t until around the time I graduated from college and when I got my first job did I really truly have that aha moment that forever changed the way I viewed the world. That realization was recognizing I was born as a first-gen here in the States, and had immigrant parents that left their country looking for a better life for their family. When I ask my parents what that time was like, every answer had various shades of hardship & difficultness, but… that same answer would always end with a lesson about determination to find success through action and hard work. Understanding the struggles and sacrifices my parents went through to give their family a better life is something I will always be grateful for. This is where I find my purpose, this is how I stay motivated.
My parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico without a high school degree, without family, without money and without knowing the English language all for the sake of finding a better future for themselves and their kids. Anyone from Vegas would look at this stat line and put heavy odds against me and my siblings to find success, but yet, we defied the odds and all graduated from 4-year Universities.
For myself, I got a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering. After college I started working in the aerospace industry, and after some time, I got higher by NASA-JPL as a mechanical engineer. I’m still currently employed by NASA-JPL and am currently a technical manager. I helped build the Mars Perseverance rover, that is currently exploring Mars, and the Europa Clipper spacecraft, that is currently on route to Jupiter’s moon Europa to look for signs of life in its liquid ocean. I still pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming…
So how do I find my purpose, by being filled with gratitude for all the opportunities that have come my way because of the sacrifices my parents made in starting a life here in the States. You don’t know what you don’t know, and as a kid I never realized the stresses my parents had in paying the bills, buying groceries, and finding sustainable work; they shielded that from their kids and put on a brave face for the sake of keeping normalcy in the household. Their only request was to get good grades and understand that we were going to go to college, that was a non-negotiable.
This reflection gives me my purpose as I go about my life, it helps me push forward on the days that I think are tough, because in the grand scheme of things, they are not really tough in comparison to what my parents went through. This reflection fills my spirit with appreciation for all the opportunities I’ve had and continue to have in my life.
My other passion, and one that gives me profound purpose, is giving back to the youth. I feel a moral responsibility to give back through public outreach, to share the extraordinary work happening at NASA, and to sprinkle in my own story as a reminder that dreams are attainable. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching a young mind light up, seeing the spark of curiosity when they imagine themselves as being a part of something bigger. It’s not just about inspiring them to follow in my footsteps, but about showing them that they can create their own path—one that might someday lead to exploring the unknown or solving the greatest challenges. If I can help them envision that future, I know I’ve contributed to something far bigger than myself.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
In early 2024 I launched the website, AerospaceCareerCoach.com to help empower aspiring aerospace professionals embark on fulfilling careers in the industry. Being a first-gen Mexican-American, I didn’t have anyone to help guide me through resume reviews, interview preparation or give me overall career guidance on the do’s and don’ts in the industry. I had to learn that all on my own and it was a difficult path to navigate.
My mission in launching AerospaceCareerCoach.com is to give college students and early career professionals access to an aerospace professional & hiring manager, and give them the opportunity to ask questions, learn about industry trends, culture and everything in between.
It has been super rewarding to meet professionals that aren’t sure if they are on the right path or marketable and leave them feeling empowered and confident with a renewed sense of direction and belief in their own potential.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The qualities that were most impactful in my journey were communication, patience and empathy. I’ve always been naturally good at communication and it eventually got me to where I am today. In aerospace there are the thinkers and the doers. The thinkers dream up the big ideas and the doers are the technicians that physically put those things together. In between those two groups are the communicators that take these big ideas and break them down into smaller pieces so they can be understood, translated and worked through drawings, part lists and requirements.
Patience and empathy are essential for mission success. What NASA is building are one of a kind, never been built before spacecrafts and what can go wrong will go wrong. It’s important that patience is maintained throughout the build lifecycle because we only get one shot at launching the spacecrafts and if the spacecraft doesn’t work, it’s because we potentially moved too fast during the build and the mission is at a loss.
Empathy is also an important skill to have because everyone that is apart of the design and build process is human. They will be put under immense pressure to meet their delivery date on schedule and budget. It’s important to show compassion to the team because the challenges they face aren’t just technical, but emotional and mental as well. By recognizing their efforts, understanding their struggles, and offering support, you create an environment where people feel valued and motivated to push through obstacles, knowing they’re not alone in the journey. This fosters not only better collaboration but also resilience in the face of pressure.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I start to feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is recognize it. It’s important to be self aware enough to admit when you’ve hit that point, and to understand that it’s okay to take a pause. One of my short term strategies is to leave the space that’s causing the stress and take a walk. It might sound simple, but stepping away and giving yourself a break, even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes, helps clear your mind and lets you return with a fresh perspective.
It’s also really helpful to have colleagues or friends you trust, who you can lean on as a soundboard. Sometimes just talking through what’s making you feel overwhelmed can give you clarity, help you feel supported, and remind you that you’re not alone in the challenges you’re facing.
When I’m really feeling overwhelmed, I turn to meditation. Practicing mindfulness allows me to quiet my mind and find a sense of stillness. It’s been a valuable tool for me to regain focus and balance, and it helps me approach problems from a calm and grounded place rather than a feeling of stress or frustration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aerospacecareercoach.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-verdin-2a11b58
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