1 00:00:00,633 --> 00:00:02,869 [music playing] 2 00:00:08,975 --> 00:00:11,378 I came to America when I was 16. 3 00:00:11,378 --> 00:00:13,947 I lived with my mom in Brooklyn, New York. 4 00:00:13,947 --> 00:00:19,085 After 9/11, I decided to serve this country 5 00:00:19,085 --> 00:00:22,956 and joined the United States Air Force. 6 00:00:22,956 --> 00:00:24,357 My name is Katherine Griffin. 7 00:00:24,357 --> 00:00:27,660 I am an accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer 8 00:00:27,660 --> 00:00:30,997 here at Marshall Space Flight Center. 9 00:00:30,997 --> 00:00:33,133 I was born and raised in the Philippines. 10 00:00:33,133 --> 00:00:35,135 When I was five years old, my mom 11 00:00:35,135 --> 00:00:38,872 decided to come to America to work as a registered nurse 12 00:00:38,872 --> 00:00:40,874 under a working visa. 13 00:00:40,874 --> 00:00:43,977 It was really tough growing up with my dad, 14 00:00:43,977 --> 00:00:46,846 because I didn't really know my mom. 15 00:00:46,846 --> 00:00:51,217 I just remember taking her to the airport 16 00:00:51,217 --> 00:00:52,352 and saying bye to her. 17 00:00:52,352 --> 00:00:56,623 And we didn't even know if she was coming back. 18 00:00:56,623 --> 00:00:58,925 She would call us every month. 19 00:00:58,925 --> 00:01:02,328 And we'd get to talk to her for an hour. 20 00:01:02,328 --> 00:01:05,932 And she would come visit us once a year for a month. 21 00:01:05,932 --> 00:01:09,102 And that was it. 22 00:01:09,102 --> 00:01:13,940 And I wouldn't even be working here today if not for my mom. 23 00:01:13,940 --> 00:01:15,742 And being here is an American dream. 24 00:01:18,545 --> 00:01:21,481 It wasn't easy getting to where I am today. 25 00:01:21,481 --> 00:01:23,516 I had a challenging life. 26 00:01:23,516 --> 00:01:24,918 I was a single parent. 27 00:01:24,918 --> 00:01:26,953 I was taking care of a one-year-old. 28 00:01:26,953 --> 00:01:31,491 I was in school full time and working full time. 29 00:01:31,491 --> 00:01:36,129 But in 2 1/2 years, I managed to get my degree. 30 00:01:36,129 --> 00:01:38,631 I graduated with a 4.0. 31 00:01:38,631 --> 00:01:42,202 And about six weeks after, I got a job offer 32 00:01:42,202 --> 00:01:46,306 to work here at Marshall Space Flight Center as an auditor. 33 00:01:46,306 --> 00:01:49,075 One thing that inspired me to work in this field 34 00:01:49,075 --> 00:01:51,611 is I enjoy working with money. 35 00:01:51,611 --> 00:01:54,848 So I decided to major in accounting. 36 00:01:54,848 --> 00:01:56,516 The best thing about my job is I get 37 00:01:56,516 --> 00:01:59,419 to do what I enjoy the most. 38 00:01:59,419 --> 00:02:02,422 When I was younger, I used to be a cashier at a department 39 00:02:02,422 --> 00:02:03,523 store. 40 00:02:03,523 --> 00:02:06,893 And I enjoyed counting money and ensuring 41 00:02:06,893 --> 00:02:10,029 that cash registers are balanced at the end of the day. 42 00:02:10,029 --> 00:02:12,198 I have fun at work. 43 00:02:12,198 --> 00:02:15,301 One of my favorite parts of working for NASA 44 00:02:15,301 --> 00:02:18,404 is to be a part of an organization that is dedicated 45 00:02:18,404 --> 00:02:21,674 to space exploration. 46 00:02:21,674 --> 00:02:24,878 I really enjoy when NASA astronauts 47 00:02:24,878 --> 00:02:27,714 get to visit the centers, where they 48 00:02:27,714 --> 00:02:31,885 get to discuss or talk about their experiences 49 00:02:31,885 --> 00:02:34,187 on Earth and in space. 50 00:02:34,187 --> 00:02:39,626 My advice for students watching today is to get your education. 51 00:02:39,626 --> 00:02:41,361 Education is very important. 52 00:02:41,361 --> 00:02:44,797 It opens more doors for opportunities. 53 00:02:44,797 --> 00:02:49,269 I wouldn't be here today if not for my education. 54 00:02:49,269 --> 00:02:50,770 There are struggles in life. 55 00:02:50,770 --> 00:02:53,473 But I used those struggles to motivate 56 00:02:53,473 --> 00:02:55,808 me to be where I am today.