It’s been quite a few years since I posted a true “day job” update on my work life, but it’s time. Big news first: last month I requested early retirement from NASA, effective at the end of this year.
My request can be withdrawn, which means I haven’t actually made a final decision on whether to leave the agency, but this allows me to keep that option on the table. On the negative side, it gives me time to see what happens — or doesn’t happen — this fall as the administration and Congress argue about FY26 federal funding. On the potentially more positive side, there’s also a possibility of other/new roles still at NASA that would be a good fit for me, as the entire agency adjusts to the thousands of people who have already chosen to depart.
But it also means that for the first time in 27 years, I’m considering what it might be like to NOT work here. As you can imagine, this has me in quite a confusing headspace where the possibilities are both scary and exciting.
If I do indeed retire, what I do next is a big ol’ wide open question with many options on the table. Taking a 6-12 month career sabbatical (made possible by Jose’s job, for which I am thankful) is a very appealing option. I’ve been stretched thin and burnt out for several years. Taking a career break might help me reset, and it would reduce some of our “household management” stress as well.
Alternately, I’m aware of a few possible opportunities for me in aerospace. There are many more options in this industry than there were 20 years ago when I was a wee baby engineer, but on the flip side, the industry is somewhat more volatile than it used to be.
And then of course I’m also thinking about what a major career shift might look like. What kind of income could I truly make if I wrote patterns and tech edited full-time? What if I added longarm quilting services to my repertoire? Last month I seriously explored one full-time job option in the quilting world and interviewed for a position! Ultimately it didn’t seem like quite the right fit and I chose to withdraw from the process, but I know there are other positions with quilt industry companies that would be an excellent fit for my skills.
If you’re out there thinking “hey, I bet Sarah would be great for such-and-such role,” by all means let me know. Clearly I have much to consider, and I don’t know what the next few months will hold as I continue to weigh my options and make a final decision.
Big stuff happening! I am glad you have options. The agency I work for has also seen thousands leave, and not usually under the conditions any of us want. BUT it is so good to explore other options! I’m rooting for you!
I’m absolutely grateful that I have the opportunity to choose, rather than being forced to leave involuntarily like so many others have been. But the overall chaos and uncertainty has significant impacted our workforce too. It’s just such a mess.
I’ve been thinking of you a lot. Pretty much all our remaining friends opted for early retirement; it feels like NASA will be losing an entire generation of the workforce. If it’s ever a help to talk to someone other than Jose that has gone into private industry, my husband and I are always more than willing to chat about our experiences (the good and the bad). Whatever is next for you, the people who get to work with you will benefit from what you have to offer. <3
Your comment about losing a whole generation is really so accurate. And while many of the people leaving are those who were already eligible for retirement, having them all depart so quickly and so simultaneously means there’s been no time or bandwidth to capture much/any of their knowledge and expertise.
Oh wow! I’ve been wondering how things were going for you on that side. I figured you were keeping quiet to lay low from attention, too. It seems such a shame to have to shorten your career like that but at this point it appears to be a good idea to at least ponder. I wish you the best as you finalize what you will/won’t do in the coming months!
I don’t know if I’ve been trying to avoid attention per se, but I guess there are only so many ways I can say “wow, this is a shit show.” Lol?
Wish you the best as you decide what’s next.
Thanks Debbie!
We think of our NASA buddies regularly and imagine the mental turmoil y’all are going through. Thanks for posting your update. May you feel confident and at peace as you make decisions and move forward with whatever comes next.