David Vargas Villanueva wears two hats: he’s a space vehicle systems engineer at Boeing Satellite Systems and he’s the managing director of Astranavem, his passion project that administers career development services to students interested in pursuing careers in aerospace. He’s not only working toward ensuring US space dominance but also ensuring Latin American communities and other minorities have ownership over their career development journeys.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
Astranavem’s impact thus far: 247 résumés reviewed, 68 coaching sessions given, 139 mentoring sessions provided, 120 LinkedIn profiles reviewed, 371 career advice sessions provided, and 35 mock interview sessions given.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
My greatest personal accomplishment to date is being able to say I accidentally invented something while doing research on space systems and hold a patent for it, when I was just twenty-two.
What do you do today to impact your community?
I not only direct a team of aerospace professionals in administering career development services to the student populace of the US, UK, and even so far as India. I’m boots on the ground with my team, giving mentoring sessions, reviewing résumés, giving career counseling. I am constantly seeking out opportunities to guide and inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals, and I do this because I owe much of my success to having people passionate about guiding and inspiring ME . . . I believe every student deserves the same opportunity I got: to receive a nurturing hand to uplift them in their journeys to become professionals.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to be running my organization, Astranavem, full-time and having partnerships with universities to have permanent footholds on campus outreach and engagement. I see Astranavem becoming a staple name passed on by college students when it comes to aerospace career development and to have a strong community of members dedicated to our mission and vision. That and with a PhD on the side . . .
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
I want to tackle head on the challenges many college students are currently facing as they prepare to enter the workforce: a job market that is relentless, competition by the millions, and a lack of proper and tailored training in professional development in campuses. Campuses may be good at teaching technical (hard) skills but are fundamentally lacking in regards to preparing their student base with the people skills and know-how necessary to achieve complete success in the current job landscape.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
I’ll never forget the words of a college graduate, right after concluding a one-on-one mentoring session, who told me: “The work you do here is a godsend. I wasn’t sure of what I’d do right after college or where I stood, but with Astranavem’s help, I now know the way.”
Who inspires your leadership?
I may get canceled for this, or this part may be cut out, but I am inspired by the leadership style and tempo of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I’m not calling myself a Jesus, far from it; I have many shortfalls. But the same hope and inspiration he instilled in those who followed him is what I strive to emulate. As well, as the selfless nature of putting people first, I put my community first.
What is a surprising hobby or interest that helps you stay creative and energized?
I am an avid video gamer, and I’m looking into streaming it too. If I already do it for fun, might share the fun with others too.
What is your Latino background?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, my entire family (expect my one of my uncles) lives in Puerto Rico and is from Puerto Rico. Yo soy boricua hasta en la luna.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“RISE” by League of Legends, Mako, The Word Alive, and The Glitch Mob.
