It’s looking like I will probably end up at NASA JPL in Pasadena, California this summer. The work is directly tied to my research and is in fact based off of my research proposal. I am currently working on negotiating a reasonable compensation package.
The unknowns currently are:
- Where will I live? I am aware that CalTech rents out its dorm rooms in the summer but have not been able to find any information about this. Does anyone live in the general area who wouldn’t mind me crashing on their couch for 10 weeks?
- How will I get to Pasadena? I can drive my car or my motorcycle, or take a plane. If I drive my motorcycle I will end up with the worst monkey butt ever. The drive is 902 miles of freeway fun.
- How much will I be paid and what other forms of compensation will I be given? Currently the offer stands at $800/wk for 10 weeks of work. Depending on living expenses, I will make either very little or actually lose money going to JPL for the summer. Pasadena is an expensive place to live!
Too bad the work isn’t at NASA AMES. I have many friends and relatives that live within close proximity of that facility. As far as I am aware, I don’t know anyone in the LA area.