Last week, the ANU InSpace team was honoured to participated in the 2nd Annual ACT Space Industry Work Exploration Program.

ANU InSpace Director Professor Anna Moore gave the keynote address for the second year in a row, and she was delighted by the passion and participation the students showed.

"Such a remarkable group of Year 10-12 students who are keen to understand the enabling impact of space to drive positive benefits," Anna says. "Our younger generation is more aware than ever of the needs of space and how it underpins other sectors, such as Quantum and Earth Observation. I was really blown away by this group's interest not only in the study of bushfires via space capability, but in space sustainability (protecting Low Earth Orbit) and advanced communications using lasers."

Associate Director, Strategic Projects Kate Ferguson and Business Development Manager Anupam Kumar Pilli held a careers booth on Friday, during which they had the opportunity to speak with the students about the many pathways to a career in space.

"The space sector is inherently inter-disciplinary. We need people with a wide range of skills and different backgrounds to grow the sector and achieve the full benefit of space technologies here on Earth," Kate says. "As well as science and engineering, it's critical to have people join the space sector with backgrounds in law, business and economics, political science, medicine, marketing, and so much more."

"It’s quite fulfilling to talk to young minds about their career aspirations and help them understand the various pathways one could take to secure a career in the space industry," Anupam says. "It’s pertinent to develop the next wave of space talent to support Australia's burgeoning space industry, and I’m very glad to be part of this initiative by the ACT Education Directorate to ignite young minds to become future leaders of space industry."

Thank you to Paula Taylor and the ACT Education Directorate for your organisation and for including us in this exciting and very valuable event! We look forward to next year!