[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 4 - 09:00:21 ]
Hello and welcome to today's Virtual Take Our Daughter's to Work Day chat with Lisa Malone from NASA Kennedy Space Center!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 5 - 09:00:47 ]
Lisa Malone is responsible for distributing information about NASA's different programs to worldwide news media organizations. This includes managing media activities surrounding launches, landings, astronaut activities and other high profile events.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 6 - 09:01:19 ]
And now, here is Lisa Malone to answer your questions.

[ CityofTucson - 11 - 09:01:43 ]
Hello Lisa Malone! We are so excited to get the chance to chat with you. The City of Tucson has over 100 daughters participating today!

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 12 - 09:03:45 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] Lisa, What do you find to be the most difficult thing about your job at NASA? -Kristin W./Tucson
The most difficult part of my job is not enough time to do all things that I have to do in NASA Public Affairs.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 13 - 09:06:23 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] Hello Lisa, Why did you pick your particular career? -Christine W./Tucson
I always was interested in journalism and writing. When I was in high school, I was the co-editor of the newspaper and continued writing for my college newspaper and pursued a degree in communications. I find it really fascinating to learn about very different things that are going on all around us every day. To be able to report on or tell people about the many interesting things NASA is doing is extremely rewarding.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 14 - 09:08:10 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] How much does it cost to launch one of the space shuttles? --Christine W./Tucson
That is not an easy question. However, depending on the number of times we launch in any year, on the average it costs about $400 million each launch. This includes all preparations on the ground to prepare the Space Shuttle, its cargo of experiments or Space Station components, all mission activities, training of the astronauts and landing.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 17 - 09:10:28 ]
RE: [brittany] Could you tell us how you got the Silver Snoopy award?
I received the Snoopy 10 years ago for my efforts in telling NASA's story about how we launch the space shuttle, and all the technical details involved in processing the shuttle elements for flight. At that time, I provided many reports on a daily basis, with details of the Shuttle activities.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 18 - 09:12:49 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] What subjects did you excel at while you were in high school?
In high school, I took English, history, journalism, science, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, typing (so important to learn the keyboard and be fast and accurate), and other required classes.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 23 - 09:14:26 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] What subjects did you excel at while you were in high school?
My best subjects were English, writing, the school newspaper and science.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 24 - 09:16:10 ]
RE: [brittany] did you ever go in a shuttle
I have been inside the crew cockpit while the Shuttle was parked inside its hangar. It is smaller than you would think and there are only two levels. On one level, there are the control panels and the commander and pilot seats. On the lower level, there are storage lockers, the kitchen and restroom. I have never flown in the shuttle.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 26 - 09:19:20 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] Hi Lisa, Have you ever reported the wrong information when you were live on t.v.? What did you do? --Michelle G./Tucson
When I have reported erroneous info on live television, I always correct it by saying, "As earlier stated..." and then provide the details of the correct answer and repeat it over several times so reporters have the right information. This does not happen too often. It's always best to say you don't have the information and that you will be able to look it up and always be sure of what you are saying.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 27 - 09:20:09 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] Did you actively volunteer in your community as a young person?
I volunteered at the local hospital in Mobile, Alabama as a candy striper and delivered flowers, cards and newspapers to the patients.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 30 - 09:23:10 ]
RE: [CityofTTucson] What can young women start doing now so that they can learn more about what career interests they have?
I encourage young people to take a variety of classes in high school to find out what interests them. Also, become involved in the extra-curricular activities like band, honor societies, debate clubs, science clubs, foreign language clubs, sports, service clubs, student council, etc. I think the more you can learn about various aspects of life the more you can determine where you fit in best and what really, really interests you.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 31 - 09:24:38 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] Hi Lisa, Do you ever get nervous when you are doing public speaking?
Of course!! It's hard to overcome. You just have to be as prepared as possible. Rehearse your remarks in front of your family or friends, bring notes, and think about your audience and what you want them to learn about the topic you are speaking on.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 32 - 09:26:50 ]
RE: [Zoey] You said you did an internship at nasa to find out what it's like, do you reccomend doing things like that??
I highly recommend doing internships! It is one way you can find out whether or not you are interested in a particular field, you gain experience while in a student capacity, and you may end up with a job in that company or government agency like I did. I'm not sure where I would have ended up working had I not taken the internship at NASA.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 35 - 09:29:57 ]
RE: [Dana] You've done so many things! What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment? Do you feel you have achieved your goals? Why? How?
I appreciate your comments. Growing up as a little girl in Mobile, Alabama, (the deep south), I would have never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would have had such an exciting career with the nations' space program. I've been fortunate to have a very interesting career that allows me to meet very accomplished people like astronauts and NASA scientists and engineers.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 39 - 09:35:01 ]
RE: [Meghan] Do you think that women in technology and Biology are often denied a job just because of their sex? If yes, do you believe it is declining? Is the intense need for tehnology workers this task force equal? In your opinion do you think that it was harder to get your placebecause you are women?
At NASA there are more men than women, however, the proportion of new employees coming into the agency in a variety of careers is more balanced. At NASA we have a need for women in the biology and technology careers and our chief scientist for the International Space Station is a woman. We have had many women leaders within the agency in various capacities. I have found that if you work hard, are dedicated to the agency's goals and are successful in your field (do your very best) that women can advance to their goals.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 40 - 09:38:31 ]
RE: [Erica] Do you ever get intimmedated by the males working in the same position?
I'm not easily intimidated by folks (male or female). You have to develop a thick skin in the field of dealing with the news media. You have to gain the respect from all of your co-workers both male and female. Once you have gained experience in your field and are good at what you do, you will earn that respect.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 41 - 09:41:31 ]
As a reminder, we will post a few questions in the chat room every few minutes. We thank you for your patience. Be sure to share your comments about today's chat with us at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 42 - 09:42:17 ]
RE: [LydiaMollie] When new things are happening in NASA (like when a space shuttle might have just crashed) do you get bombarded with calls, or do you have people helping you out?
In the NASA news room, we have a staff of people who are prepared to answer those hard questions if the Shuttle were to crash. For instance, at launch time, there are about 25-30 public affairs specialists from the many different NASA centers who assist my office. They have specific details for different aspects of the Space Shuttle or cargo the shuttle in carrying. Our telephones ring constantly when something happens and we have to be prepared to answer the callers.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 48 - 09:47:08 ]
RE: [LydiaMollie] How is it having to deal with noesy reoporters all of the time?
I like working with reporters. It's their job to ask questions so they can write stories for the newspaper, radio, television or internet. Many of them are very interesting and have lots of stories to tell. Many cover different kinds of stories other than space and have traveled all over the world. You have to be on your toes when dealing with reporters. They typically have lots of information about what they are asking and you need to be absolutely sure you are providing the correct information. In talking to reporters, you always have to think that what you say could be quoted in the next day's newspaper.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 50 - 09:50:05 ]
RE: [ANN/BLYTHE] I AM A BROWNIE GIRL SCOUT LEADER AND IT IS TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO WORK DAY (AS YOU KNOW)...WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS IS A GOOD CAREER FOR A WOMAN TO GET INTO.
Women are good at communicating with others and public affairs allows you to constantly communicate what NASA is doing. NASA offers many other exciting careers other than public affairs and it is a very exciting agency to work for.

[ CityofTucson - 53 - 09:52:25 ]
Lisa, The City of Tucson would like to thank you for your time. Everyone must get to their next event but we will check in later!

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 56 - 09:53:47 ]
RE: [ANN/BLYTHE] MICHELE WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY LET YOU GO INTO SPACE. SHE ALSO WANTS TO KNOW IF YOU DID, WOULDN'T YOU BE SCARED BECAUSE OF THE ONE THAT EXPLODED AND PEOPLE WERE KILLED?
Only astronauts are allowed to fly in the shuttle. However, I would certainly jump at the chance to fly in the Space Shuttle. I think it would be incredibly exciting. Astronauts are trained for all sorts of contingency situations and practice how to get out of them safely. They all know there are risks with space flight and their families know too. The shuttle is a very safe space vehicle and we take extra precautions to make sure everything on the shuttle is bolted together properly and tested.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 57 - 09:55:03 ]
RE: [Julia] How many women have had your job, and how long have they had it?
I am the first woman to hold the job I have at Kennedy Space Center, however, there are other women at higher levels than me who are working in public affairs at other NASA centers.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 58 - 09:56:13 ]
RE: [Julia] Does your job effect the way things are managed?
I am responsible for managing the news department at Kennedy and therefore am able to make changes and direct work.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 64 - 09:57:25 ]
RE: [AbigailHealthAlliance] Do you have any pets?
I don't have any pets, but I really like animals. I am not at home enough to take care of one.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 65 - 09:59:20 ]
RE: [KellyandWanda] are you on t.v. before
As a spokesperson for Kennedy Space Center, there are times reporters need someone from NASA to provide information about what is going on with a Shuttle launch countdown. I have been on television newscasts to provide this information. Also, there are documentary type television shows about space and sometimes I provide information to them too.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 66 - 10:01:25 ]
At this time, we would like to thank everyone for joining us for today's Virtual Take Our Daughters to Work Day chat with Lisa Malone from NASA Kennedy Space Center. Our very special thanks to Lisa for her thoughtful responses to our questions, and for sharing her career experience and expertise with us today. THANK YOU, Lisa!!

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 67 - 10:01:36 ]
RE: [CityofTucson] Hi Lisa, What degrees do you need for the job you have? -Melissa S./Tucson
You should have a degree in communications such as news broadcasting, print journalism, public relations, etc. You really need to be able to write in news style and you can learn how to do this in high school and college. Practicing by joining the newspaper or TV staffs at your school is a great way to learn.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 68 - 10:02:04 ]
We would also like to recognize Lorraine Walton who has assisted Lisa in answering our questions today.

[ LisaMalone/KSC - 69 - 10:02:43 ]
I've really enjoyed "chatting" and wish I had more time. I must return to a meeting about NASA television. Thanks for all the great questions!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 70 - 10:04:14 ]
We once agin invite you to send us your comments about today's chat. Visit our NASA QuestChat Information Center at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats to use our online feedback forms.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 71 - 10:05:59 ]
Check today's schedule at http://quest.nasa.gov/women/TODTWD00/schedule.html to learn about other NASA QuestChats for Take Our Daughters to Work Day. Thank you again for joining us, and have a great day!