Shaping Future Problem Solvers Across Industries: Technological Leadership Internships in Action

Students in Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Science in technological leadership program are applying their skills in unexpected ways — tackling challenges in fields ranging from engineering and data analysis to policy and science communication.

Offered by the ASU Interplanetary Initiative, the program is designed to prepare students to solve complex problems across disciplines and industries. While students often explore space-related topics in their coursework, the program emphasizes broader skills in leadership, collaboration, and creative problem-solving — skills that apply in a wide range of fields.

Internships are a required part of the program, giving students hands-on experience that helps them stand out in the job market. These opportunities allow students to explore career paths, build practical expertise, and contribute to meaningful projects.

For students like Yashita Soti, Hunter Rhea, and Lindsey Tober, internships have played a major role in shaping their goals and preparing them for their next steps after graduation.

Yashita Soti, a senior in the technological leadership program, is working toward her goal of becoming a space entrepreneur. Focused on using data to advance sustainable space habitation and exploration, she has applied her skills in both community-focused projects and space research.

At the Arizona Corporation Commission, Soti used satellite mapping, data visualization, and community outreach to help protect vulnerable adults from investment fraud. She drew on skills gained in the program’s “Can NASA Stop Wildfires?” course, where she learned how satellite data can be used to address environmental challenges. The internship allowed her to connect classroom learning to real-world problem-solving and support efforts to protect at-risk Phoenix communities.

As an Interplanetary Initiative Undergraduate Research Scholar with the Lunar Minimum Viable Infrastructure project, she published a paper on lunar landing sites, collaborated with industry experts, and worked with data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. She described the experience as “a defining moment in my journey toward becoming a leader in space exploration.”

Soti credits the technological leadership program with helping her build the skills, confidence, and network to pursue her goals. Her advice for other students: “Embrace every opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, approach each experience with curiosity and an eagerness to learn. Most importantly, leverage the program’s resources, connect with mentors, and pursue internships that align with your passions.”

Hunter Rhea, a technological leadership senior, built on the program’s curriculum in space, technology, and ethics to pursue a policy internship in Washington, D.C.

Through the prestigious Capital Scholars program, Hunter earned a spot in an internship with the Navajo Nation Washington D.C. Office. There, he supported advocacy efforts, attended congressional hearings, and met with policymakers to discuss Navajo water rights and the role of Native Americans in space exploration.

Hunter said his coursework helped him approach these policy conversations with confidence. “Technological leadership has a heavy focus on governmental regulation and the ethics of modern technologies,” he said, which gave him a strong foundation for understanding complex issues at the intersection of science, technology, and society.

Reflecting on his path, Hunter encouraged other students to take advantage of new opportunities: “Take advantage of every opportunity given to you. As someone who grew up poor and with no prospects, I would have never guessed I would be able to do the things I am doing now.”

Lindsey Tober, also a technological leadership senior, combined her studies with a minor in film and media production to explore space science communication. She hopes to create films for NASA that inspire others to engage with space exploration.

As an ASU/NASA Space Grant intern, Lindsey contributed to the Interplanetary Initiative’s Space Exploration and Sustainable Development project, where she examined the societal and environmental impacts of space technologies. She also interned with the Space For Humans team, researching and producing videos that highlight ethical and sustainable approaches to space exploration.

Lindsey’s dedication and experience earned her a place in the highly competitive Brooke Owens Fellowship Class of 2025, where she will work alongside industry leaders at a top space organization this summer.

Internships like Yashita’s, Hunter’s, and Lindsey’s show how the technological leadership program prepares students for real-world success. While about 30% of students pursue space-related internships, many explore roles in science, technology, business, and government. Across these varied fields, Technological Leadership students consistently earn high marks for their collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills — with over 95% receiving top evaluations from their internship supervisors.

To learn more about the Technological Leadership program, visit the program page or schedule an advising appointment. Students interested in space-related opportunities can also sign up for the Interplanetary Initiative newsletter and Space Student email list for updates on internships, events, and research opportunities.

Employers interested in offering internships to Technological Leadership students can reach out directly at TechLeadership@asu.edu.

Written by Sarah Kimmerly