Jody Sandlin Singer has worked with NASA for 32 years, and she was recently named the deputy director of Marshall Space Flight Center.

The Hartselle native said she has always been interested in the field. “Space exploration and science has always been an area that caught my attention,” Singer said.

Singer said growing up in Hartselle had a huge impact on her career and helped to lead her to her current position. “I had a very good friend growing up whose father worked at NASA. He was an influence on me, and that exposure really opened my eyes,” Singer said. “He was always an encourager.”

The education Singer had also helped her to achieve her dreams. “If I go back to Hartselle and back to my roots, every part of my education at Hartselle helped show me the sky was the limit that I set for myself,” Singer said.

Singer said being backed by the community helped her through the loss of her father as a young adult and helped direct her to her ambitious career path. “Always, when people ask where I am from, I am proud of Hartselle,” Singer said. “To me it is such a strong community to grow in and what helped shape me.”

After graduating from high school, Singer went on to earn her engineering degree from the University of Alabama. After graduating she first applied for a position at MSFC but ultimately took a job with General Motors in Mississippi. “When I first applied for the job, (MSFC) was not hiring. They called about a year later, and I took a position in the professional internship program,” Singer said.

Working in the professional internship program, Singer gained experience in program and mission planning. Eventually she took an engineering position and worked her way up shuttle propulsion program project manager and deputy manager.

Singer was the first woman to earn those positions.

“Anytime you are the first, there are character-building experiences. I had a lot of mentors that encouraged me forward, and I had a willingness to learn,” Singer said.

Both the Columbia and Challenger explosions took place during Singer’s time at NASA, and she said they were difficult times that helped further develop her character. They taught her “to lead through the crisis.”

Singer continued to climb the career ladder, eventually being named the manager of Marshall Flight Programs and Partnerships office. From there she was announced as the deputy director of the Marshall Space Flight Center.

Singer said working with NASA has been a dream come true for her. “Being part of a mission bigger than myself, there is a lot of pride,” Singer said.

Singer said she is preparing Marshall Space Flight Center for the space launch center. The rocket will allow exploration beyond the International Space Center and is expected to be ready by 2020. Singer said it can be used to study deep space in a way that has not been possible before.

When it comes to advice for those interested in pursuing a career in her field, Singer said to dream big. “Understand where you are going, and don’t let anyone, even yourself, set barriers,” Singer said.