W.I.S.E. Wednesday: Paige Kaufman, Founder of Space Spiels
- wiseglobally
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
Introducing Paige Kaufman, a fourth-year student at The University of Southern California pursuing a degree in Astronautical Engineering and continuing her studies at the masters level. This summer, Paige will be a part of the NASA Environmental and Thermal Flight Controller team as an intern.
Paige is the founder of Space Spiels, a podcast that highlights conversations with engineers, students, and scientists in the aerospace industry. She highlights their projects, backgrounds, and personal experiences. She hopes to not only educate people about the aerospace industry but she works to encourage individuals to pursue a STEM career.
Want to tune in to Space Spiels? Swipe the posts and scan the QR code!
Question 1: Can you introduce yourself and your STEM background
“Sure! My name is Paige Kaufman, and I’m currently a fourth-year student at the University of Southern California, pursuing a degree in Astronautical Engineering. I will be doing my master's next fall. During my junior year, I worked at a startup called Vast Space, which really gave me insight into the fast-paced world of aerospace innovation. And this upcoming summer, I’ll be joining NASA’s Ethos team which is their Environmental and Thermal Flight Controller at the Mission Control Center, which I’m incredibly excited about. My main area of interest is human space flight—I’m really drawn to the challenges and possibilities of sending people farther into space.”
Question 2: What inspired you to pursue a STEM degree? What inspired you to pursue your career choice?
"The story I love to tell is the moment I was home when I was little and saw a clip on TV of a group in mission control. They were crying, hugging, celebrating after they had just launched something into space. That image never left me. I’ve always been good at STEM subjects, and at one point I thought I just wanted to build rockets. But after I attended Space Camp, my passion for space really sparked. I remember flying a team mission there and just being completely captivated by the stories and the simulated astronautical engineering exercises. Over time, I realized I really had a passion for this but also cared deeply about the human side of it—what it means to send people into space and keep them safe. That’s what really drove me to focus on human space flight. I want to be part of the teams that make those missions possible."
Question 3: What challenges have you faced in your STEM journey, and how did you overcome them?
"My first semester was definitely tough. Engineering isn’t easy, and I think that first year is designed to really test you. They test you on adaptability, critical thinking and really hone in on the problem solving aspect of engineering; but they don’t make it easy. I struggled with imposter syndrome and felt like I wasn’t naturally good at school compared to others. What helped me get through it was finding a supportive community. I am fortunate to have friends who understood what I was going through and encouraged me to keep going. I’ve learned that making mistakes is a part of the process, and it’s okay to struggle. What matters is learning from those mistakes and not giving up. You're not alone in this journey, even if it sometimes feels like it."
Question 4: What's your favorite class you have taken?
"Definitely Spacecraft Systems Engineering. It was a two-semester course that really stood out to me. In the first semester, we dove deep into all the subsystems that make a spacecraft function—from propulsion to power systems. It was taught by two engineers from JPL, so we got that real-world perspective, which was amazing. Then in the second semester, we got to take everything we learned and apply it. We worked in teams to design an entire mission, going through processes like the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). It felt so hands-on—we were getting coached like we were in the industry. It really brought everything together and solidified why I want to be in this field."
Question 5: Have you ever felt excluded or underrepresented in your field? How did you navigate that?
"Overall, I’ve had a really positive experience at USC and have felt supported in my journey. However there have been moments that reminded me I’m in a field where women are still underrepresented. Sometimes it’s subtle “Oh, I wouldn’t have guessed you’re an engineer,” which can be frustrating even if it’s not meant to be negative. I’ve also noticed in professional spaces—like when I attended a meeting with several aerospace CEOs—there were only one or two women in the room. From a technical standpoint, there are still areas in aerospace where systems are primarily tested on male physiology, which doesn’t always account for women in space missions. I believe it needs to be implemented into all engineering aspects. That said, it's really exciting and uplifting seeing the progress being made. There are more women entering STEM now than ever before, and I’m hopeful about where things are headed. I try to focus on being part of that positive change and making sure the next generation sees representation as the norm."
Question 6: What’s a common misconception about your STEM major or career?
A big one is that people think astronautical engineering is just one type of job. In reality, the field is incredibly broad. There are so many different areas you can go into—designing spacecraft, testing systems, running simulations, mission operations, and so much more.
I remember telling someone I wanted to work in Mission Control, and they immediately asked, “What is Mission Control?” And I realized that many don’t know how many roles are involved in something like that. What’s really exciting about this field is how you can specialize in different systems or stages of a mission and really make your career your own.
Question 7: What inspired you to start your own podcast, Space Spiels?
"Back in high school, I used to run a club where we’d share space stories—it was one of my favorite things. When I got to college, I found myself really missing that kind of storytelling and connection. I also realized how many incredible paths there are in aerospace, and I wanted to create a platform to highlight them. Space Spiels was born from that craving—to showcase the diverse careers and journeys of people in the space industry. It’s not just about inspiring others to get into aerospace, but also about helping people feel like they belong and can see themselves in the field. I love being able to relate to my guests and audience, and honestly, I just love networking and learning from others. It’s been such a rewarding experience."
Question 8: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice about STEM, what would it be?
"I’d tell myself to stay curious and to really listen to what excites you—because that’s usually the right direction to follow. I’d also remind myself that you don’t have to do it all alone. STEM can feel overwhelming at times, but finding a community and working with people who support and inspire you makes all the difference."
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