NASA Shared Services Center’s Venetia Gonzales has big dreams for the agency. She recently shared those thoughts as part of the “Explore as One” Video Challenge hosted by the 2018 NASA FIRST (Foundations of Influence, Relationships, Success and Teamwork) cohort. The project was intended to highlight NASA’s most critical asset, its people, and engage employees in expressing their vision for the agency’s next 60 years. Participants created videos to convey their ideas of the future of NASA, noting innovative missions and technologies.
The challenge team was inspired by Gonzales’s creativity and selected her as one of the winners – making her a 4-time NASA@ WORK winning Solver. Read more about Gonzales and check out her video submission below.
Briefly describe what you do at NASA and your history.
I am a United States Navy Veteran and a Communication Specialist for the NASA Shared Services Center. My current position allows me to leverage project management tools, such as webinars and interactive presentations, which benchmark the NSSC’s strong commitment to the transition and support of the NASA Centers. I have a deep passion for producing visual communication products and broadening my creativity through innovative ways of communicating. The Women@ NASA website features my personal story of what inspired me to join NASA in 2012.
Why do you like to participate in the NASA@ WORK platform?
I think this platform is a great way to develop motivation for change by collaborating with fellow employees into one shared vision of “One NASA.” It gives a rare opportunity to contribute to projects from different Centers that would not be possible otherwise.
Since you are a fourth-time winner, what has NASA@ WORK meant for you? Why do you keep participating?
NASA@ WORK unites the entire NASA community to find solutions as an overall team. No matter who you are or what you do, all NASA employees have the opportunity to make a difference. I have had such a great experience with the program; as a result, I have become an advocate and a NASA@ WORK Infuser. The NASA@ WORK program recognizes participants for their winning ideas, which builds confidence, as well as empower other employees to participate.
How do you think NASA employees can best utilize NASA@ WORK?
NASA@ WORK gives participants a voice to use the forums among your peers. It is also a way to display a competitive edge with other NASA employees and NASA Centers.
What inspired your ideas in creating the “The Explore as One” video?
NASA has limitless possibilities in exploration across the solar system. I began my video with what I thought might be possible to find on other planets and mixed it up with what NASA is currently developing in the near future. My inspiration came from those whom I have had the pleasure of working with in my NASA career and the support of friends and family. I work with amazing, innovative and creative colleagues that inspire me on a daily basis. Creativity provides an endless amount of opportunity. I hope all NASA employees take advantage of the NASA@ WORK opportunity to make a difference in the NASA mission and challenge others to do the same.
Credits: NASA
NASA@WORK is an internal, agency-wide platform that seeks to increase innovation by fostering collaboration within the entire NASA community through interactive discussion and challenge-solving. Employees can share knowledge, team up and advance projects. NASA@ WORK operates within the Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, which works with organizations internal to NASA and across the Federal sector to harness the power of the crowd.