The Mindful Apprentice - Careers in Space - Ingmar Kamalagharan's story

The Mindful Apprentice

Welcome to The Mindful Apprentice. In this episode, we hear from Ingmar Kamalagharan, Space to Inspire Lead at the UK Space Agency who gives a fascinating insight into the many and varied careers revolving around space and the universe. For those who thought space careers revolved around astronauts, have a listen to Ingmar.

Presenter: Dominic Arkwright

Producer: Rosie Runciman

A Sound Doctor production

Notes for listeners for further information.

Link list – this includes some of the projects and programmes UKSA funds (£12M over 3 years):

For older children / students

Spacecareers.uk: https://spacecareers.uk/homek

• Space careers resources and information

• Direct opportunities, including apprenticeships

• Search for jobs

UKSEDS: https://hub.ukseds.org/

Student led community

• Lots of resources, webinars, podcasts, careers support

• Conference in March 2024

• Resources for national design competitions e.g. rocketry and satellites

Satellite Applications Catapult – UK Space Capabilities Catalogue: https://sa.catapult.org.uk/space-capabilities-catalogue/

• Tool to look across all the space organisations in the UK, where they are, what they do

• Very helpful in looking what is near you and understanding what kind of activities they do

Space Placements in Industry scheme: https://sa.catapult.org.uk/spin/

• 8 week summer placements for university students in space companies and institutions in the UK

• Incredibly powerful internship programme – we placed 80 students in 2023 and will have 125 places in 2024

European Space Agency:

• Internships https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Student_Internships2

• Resources and activities for students https://www.esa.int/Education/ESA_Academy/What_is_the_ESA_Academy

International Space University: https://www.isunet.edu/

Generally but not necessarily used by those in early careers to upskill – UKSA sponsors the ISU who distribute funds to participate to successful UK nationals who apply

Alpbach Summer School: https://www.summerschoolalpbach.at/

UK Students studying engineering or science can apply

UKSpace – the UK space industrial trade association: https://www.ukspace.org/

Useful for general sector information and calendar of space conferences and events

Space Skills Alliance https://spaceskills.org/

Huge resource for space skills, training and sector data

• UK space sector landscape map

• Literature library and data

• Space training catalogue