If you look up the definition of “resourcefulness,” you may find Ed Swallow’s story. Today, he’s senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer/treasurer of The Aerospace Corp., yet the White Plains, New York, native never had a clearly defined path. It’s largely the reason he’s passionate about mentorship and providing early-career advice to students at universities.

Tune in to hear how Swallow’s country club upbringing shifted after his parents divorced and the 1972 recession. He began helping his family financially at age 15, working at pizzerias, gas stations and even roofing on the weekends, thanks to his stepfather’s business. To afford college, he declared emancipation, joined ROTC and even started his own roofing business ⏤ at times, redoing roofs for professors. Fast forward two bachelor’s degrees from two separate universities, a master’s degree and active duty Air Force experience, and Swallow is inspiring the next generation of diverse talent into the space workforce.

To learn more about these efforts as Swallow discusses them in this episode, visit Space Workforce 2030.