Their journey to this groundbreaking moment wasn’t always linear, as each of these astronauts followed different yet equally meaningful paths to the Moon. In this article, we will explore Artemis II’s career paths, and the lessons high school students can draw as they think about their own futures.
Reid Wiseman: Embrace Failure
Commander Reid Wiseman’s path to leading one of humanity’s most ambitious lunar missions did not follow a straight line. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, he was first fascinated by the sight of military jets flying overhead. That curiosity led him to pursue a degree in computer and systems engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, then become a Naval aviator, and eventually a test pilot. Yet when Wiseman speaks to students about success, he often discusses failure and encourages students to take more risks. “Students of today have got to be willing to fail,” Wiseman said. “They’ve got to be willing to take some risks in their school. It’s not how well you succeed; it’s how well you fail.”
For high school students navigating the pressures of high school, this is a powerful encouragement. Wiseman’s challenge is not an invitation to be careless, but it reminds us that it’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out yet. At this stage of your life, feel free to explore and learn about your interests! Enroll in rigorous courses, such as AP Computer Science, even if you do not excel right away. Then, step outside the classroom and join activities that push you out of your comfort zone. Robotics clubs, coding competitions, debate teams, or independent research projects all force you to solve real problems and learn from failure in low-stakes environments. In time, those lessons point you toward something no syllabus can prescribe: your own vocation.
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Victor Glover: Resilience Is About Growth
Pilot Victor Glover is the first person of color to travel beyond low Earth orbit. But before being part of a historic moment, he was a Naval aviator and test pilot.
“Resilience is about not just getting through challenges, but growing through them, getting better because of those challenges,” Glover said in a message from space to students back on Earth. Indeed, the distinction is not merely rhetorical. There is a difference between enduring hardship and being changed by it, between surviving a difficult course and emerging from it with a sharpened mind.
Glover has also spoken candidly about the importance of believing in yourself, even if the path ahead remains unclear. That belief, he argues, is what sustains you through the uncertainty long enough to find your footing. And when you do, he reminds you that there’s a reward in understanding math, which he describes as the universal language of problem-solving in every field, from space exploration to medicine to engineering.
In academics, instead of struggling with memorizing and doing the same problems over and over to get an A, think about how an algebra problem will build your skills and push you to grow beyond the classroom. Anyone can memorize, but understanding translates into new problems. As we’ve seen in the recently concluded launch of Artemis II, math, science, and analytical thinking aren’t just subjects you take in school. They are the foundation upon which extraordinary lives are built.
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Christina Koch: Do the Scary Thing
Christina Koch made every girl across the world feel empowered by being the first woman to travel to the Moon on Artemis II. Her journey began with a small childhood dream that, to many, might have seemed impossible: to be an astronaut. She was inspired by looking at the stars from her backyard in North Carolina and by learning about people who took risks for what they believed in.
At North Carolina State University, she pursued dual degrees in electrical engineering and physics, then took her skills to one of the most remote and demanding environments on Earth, where she conducted scientific field engineering in Antarctica. And now, at 47, she’s made history by completing a journey that began with nothing more than curiosity and the courage to take it seriously.
When Koch talks to students, especially young women who dream of working in the field of STEM, her message is simple but powerful: “Always do the things that might even scare you, the things that intimidate you, the things you think that maybe are beyond your reach. But actually, when you achieve them, you learn the most about yourself, and you bring the most back to the world.”
Koch’s story encourages students to take the classes that intimidate them or apply for programs they’re not sure they will get into. The application process alone, the act of articulating your goals and confronting your own potential, is formative, regardless of outcome. Speak up in class discussions, volunteer to lead a project, or try something completely new. Join a club you’ve never heard of. Enter a science fair you think you’ll lose. Explore fields where you don’t yet feel confident. When you’re 14, 15, 16 years old, this is the time to experiment. The stakes are lower than they will ever be again, and the freedom to experiment, to try something and fail at it without lasting consequence, is a privilege that quietly disappears with time.
Jeremy Hansen: Interest Matters More Than the Right Path
Jeremy Hansen made Canadian history as the first Canadian to travel to the Moon, a milestone that placed his name alongside the most celebrated figures in his country’s story of scientific achievement. His journey involved diverse experiences: he was a fighter pilot, a team commander in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and a trainer of fellow astronauts.
When asked about the best career advice he’s ever received, Hansen recalled guidance from veteran astronaut Chris Hadfield: “When you are doing things of great interest, you will generally perform better, contribute more, and have more fun doing it.” It might be a straightforward statement, but it comes with far-reaching implications. Interest is not a luxury or a sentimental consideration; it is a performance variable. People who are genuinely engaged in what they do perform better and ultimately contribute more to their field.
Hansen’s journey is a testament to this advice, proving that there’s no single right way to become successful or to pursue your passions. He studied space science in college, but his path also included military service, training others, and deep-sea exploration. His career was more cumulative than linear. What connected all these experiences was a genuine curiosity and a commitment to helping others.
High school students shouldn’t have to commit to a single career path from such a young age. Explore multiple interests, find whatever sparks your curiosity. This age is about discovering what genuinely interests you and not feeling pressured to decide your entire future too early.
It’s more important to find mentors and peers who believe in you, support your goals, and push you forward. After all, the most distinguished leaders are rarely the ones who followed the most direct route. They are, far more often, the ones who were curious and brave enough to take the winding one.
For students who are interested in aerospace engineering, we have published this guide to help you get started.
Explore Aerospace Engineering Through Aralia’s Programs
High school students looking to get a head start in aerospace engineering can explore unique opportunities in a structured and supportive environment through Aralia Education. Beyond traditional classes, Aralia connects students with expert instructors who can guide them through research projects, hands-on experiments, and advanced STEM concepts.
Through Aralia, students can:
- Conduct Guided Research Projects – Work with instructors to investigate aerospace-related topics, from propulsion systems to orbital mechanics, gaining experience in designing experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results.
- Publish and Present Work – Develop strong communication skills by sharing research findings through Aralia’s platforms and by learning to present complex ideas clearly to peers and mentors.
- Build a Competitive Portfolio – Participation in research, publication, and hands-on projects exhibits initiative, curiosity, and readiness for rigorous engineering programs in college.
Through academic support and real-world application, Aralia’s programs allow students to explore aerospace engineering early, build critical skills, and gain a competitive edge for college and future careers. Whether students are experimenting with model rockets, coding simulations, or contributing to STEM publications, Aralia helps students transform their curiosity about space into tangible experiences and achievements.
