Pivot to Space: Key Educational Resources for Industry Transition and Advantage

Why finance professionals are studying space? Uncover the MIT courses favored by venture capitalists.

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Recently, we featured Harriet Brettle, who transitioned from a five-year stint in banking to a career in the space industry. She pursued a Master's degree in astrophysics after 5 years in finance, joined a spacetech start-up, and later became part of the European Space Agency. Many of our readers have reached out, expressing how Harriet's story inspired them, and are considering a similar shift in their own career trajectories.

Today, we're showcasing an array of educational resources tailored for individuals at different career stages and across various sectors. But one might ask, why should one even consider delving into the study of space?

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First of all, space technology is increasingly advantageous to a variety of sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and tourism. Acquiring professional expertise in this field can add a competitive edge to your career and your company. We recommend this article by the Harvard Business Review, entitled 'Your Company Needs a Space Strategy. Now.’ It articulates the necessity for businesses, even those outside the traditional space sector, to develop a comprehensive space strategy.

Secondly, at Space Ambition, we strongly believe that the advancement of the space industry is linked to the talent and resources invested in it. More importantly, as the sector propels forward, the quality of life on Earth enhances in tandem. Numerous solutions to Earth's pressing challenges — from climate change and biomedical research to in-orbit energy production — are rooted in space technologies. Take a look at our earlier piece covering the groundbreaking innovations spurred by space programs. In essence, the more talent we cultivate in the space sector, the better life becomes on Earth. Earth needs you in space.

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Top Space Education Programs for Executives: MIT, International Space University, and Space MBA

We've handpicked a few examples based on recommendations from our network. However, we welcome your input – if you've taken a course that you would recommend, please share your experiences in the comments section of this article. 

Highly esteemed in the industry, the MIT New Space Economy online course is a top-rated learning opportunity. This 8-week course requires 8-10 hours of commitment per week, providing extensive coverage of technologies, products, services, and business models relevant to the space sector. The next cohort is set to begin on the 6th of July, so make sure to secure your spot promptly. The cost for this immersive learning experience is USD 2,900.

We had the opportunity to speak with Professor Alessandro Golkar, the course instructor for the MIT New Space Economy program and the Chair of Pico-, Nanosatellites, and Satellite Constellations at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He shared insights on the diverse backgrounds of participants enrolling in his course. He revealed,

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"Interestingly, a large proportion of our participants hail from outside the space industry. Of course, we have venture capitalists who are exploring investment opportunities in space. However, we've recently noticed an influx of senior executives from large multinational companies. It's heartening to witness this growing interest in applying space technologies across various sectors, or in some cases, simply the pursuit of personal interests."

The International Space University (ISU) is an educational organization founded in 1987 dedicated to discovering, researching, and developing outer space exploration for peaceful purposes. Located in Strasbourg, France, the ISU offers multidisciplinary space education programs.

Their curriculum covers a broad range of topics that span science, engineering, economics, policy and law, business and management, as well as humanities, reflecting the university's commitment to a comprehensive, holistic approach to space education.

The International Space University offers an 18-month, accredited Master of Science in Space Studies program, as well as a 12-month Master of Space Studies program with the option of a 3 to 6-month internship. Apply for master programs here.

Another interesting offering is the intense, 9-week multidisciplinary Space Studies program that takes place every year from June to August in various countries. This year, the adventure unfolds in Brazil. Does this sound like an ideal summer plan? If so, submit your application here for the 2024 program.

There's also an Executive Space Course, which spans one week and provides an overview of various aspects of the burgeoning space industry. This could be an exceptional opportunity to reward a company's leadership team and inspire them to leverage space technologies in their respective sectors.

The University of Tennessee provides a one-year, tailored MBA program specifically designed for the aerospace and defense industry. This could serve as an intriguing career move for those seeking to rapidly expand their network in the industry while gaining valuable insights.

Top Space-Related Courses on Coursera, Udemy, and EdX

Coursera has a selection of space-related courses - like the The Business, Politics, Policy, & Players of Space Programs by the University of Colorado. It requires 19 hours of commitment and is self-paced for beginners.

Udemy offers a wide range of online courses on topics such as physics, aerospace engineering, and introductory astronomy. These courses cater to different skill levels and can provide a broad understanding of spacetech fundamentals. In addition, they offer a concise course titled "Space Entrepreneurship 101", comprising 26 lectures over a total duration of 3 hours, this course provides a compact yet insightful introduction to the business side of the space industry.

EdX provides a variety of courses focused on space technology, including a comprehensive course on the New Space Economy. This self-paced program features 30 lectures over a span of 7 weeks, requiring a commitment of 2-3 hours per week.

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Informal Learning Platforms and Inspirational Talks to Ignite Your Space Ambitions

Seeking a more casual, laid-back approach to begin with? There are plenty of options available:

NASA's STEM Engagement Programs offer an array of resources, events, and internship opportunities to immerse yourself in the realm of space exploration in a less formal setting.

A curated selection of TED Talks about space: While the concepts may not always be straightforward or easy to grasp, these presentations make aerospace engineering more accessible to the general public. 

We're also fans of the following YouTube channels:

NASA: With 11.1 million subscribers and over 5.6K videos.

SpaceX: Home to 6.53K subscribers and nearly 500 videos.

European Space Agency (ESA): With 977K subscribers and a whopping 4.6K videos.

Everyday Astronaut: his motto speaks for itself: “Bringing space down to Earth for everyday people”. 1.45 million subscribers, 394 videos.

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If you've encountered a compelling learning resource that you'd like to recommend, please share it in the comments. We would also be thrilled to hear from our readers who have successfully transitioned their careers or fields of work into the realm of space technology. Please share your stories with us at hello@spaceambition.org.