Eibhlin Laffan Downes

I was always interested in space, science and STEM subjects. I did my undergraduate degree in Physics Technology in TU Dublin and then a master’s in Space Science and Technology in UCD. I did two projects in radio astronomy during my undergrad, including an Erasmus placement in the Netherlands and my thesis. Later in my master’s, I did a placement with ispace’s AIT (Assembly, Integration and Testing) team during their environmental campaign of the Hakuto-R M1 lander in Germany.

Réaltra gave a career talk to my master’s course. I knew I didn’t want to work in academia, but I still wanted to have a career in the space industry. When I finished my master’s dissertation, I sent the company an email asking if they had any positions available and I got the job.

A typical day for Eibhlin:

I start my day by reviewing my notes from yesterday and checking my email to see what needs to be prioritised first today. I work on a few projects, so I usually have a few short meetings (per week) where I meet with the team, and we discuss our work and the next steps for the project. My job responsibilities can range from documentation, data analysis, technical drawing and testing. Having that variety is a huge plus of my job.

Top tip from Eibhlin for those interested in a similar career:

It is important to show that you are more than just a person with the correct piece of paper. If you want to work in space, you should consider internships and projects. Having a strong academic background is important but every year thousands of students graduate college, and you must make yourself look more employable than them. Internships and projects show that you have a practical grasp of your field and can work with others. Having some hobbies on your CV is also crucial to help you stand out and show that you are someone that people will want to work with.