Sunday, November 16, 2008

Yet another new job.

Yeah. I don't know how it happens. But without even trying, jobs just fall into my lap. But this one's a doozie.

As I was finishing a lab for the day, the Physics Department Advisor poked her head in the door and said, "Michael, check your email." Uh-oh. She laughed and said it's really good. So I looked, and she had sent me a note saying that there was a potential job opportunity for me. So, I went to talk to the professor she mentioned. We talked for a while about the position. It involves computer programming, which I have always loved. There was a person involved in this project who wrote a program to demonstrate some electrodynamic effects. However, when they demonstrated the final results, showing that there won't be a problem, they realized that "Of course there won't be a problem! It's only in one dimension!" So, it's back to the drawing board. But the guy who wrote the program doesn't have time to work on that, so they decided to hire a graduate student--they're always cheaper and good for slave labor, right? So, I was invited to help. He told me to think about it, and to talk it over with Eliza, but I was half tempted right then and there to just say "Yes! I'll take it!"

Now, I think it only fitting to tell you why I was so eager to say yes. Well, this is a program modelling the electrodynamic effects of a satellite. In fact, it was made for a particular satellite called the James Webb Space Telescope. If you're unfamiliar with this project, click on the link. It's basically a modernized Hubble Telescope. In fact, you remember how Atlantis is supposed to go up for the last servicing mission for the Hubble? Well, from how I understand it, this project is why--we're sending up something bigger and better.

An opportunity to work on the James Webb Telescope? Absolutely! Will it be hard? Absolutely! But I wouldn't give it up for the world. Great experience, great time to learn, great for resumes...what more could I ask for?