For Fayth “Sole” Burnett, the Â鶹´«Ã½AV has provided more than just an education, it has launched her dreams of becoming a space engineer.
Burnett is the first student at the Â鶹´«Ã½AV to apply for the aerospace engineering major. She is deeply committed to her education as she is on track to graduate with dual majors in aerospace and mechanical engineering.
Burnett grew up in Fernley, Nevada, where a field trip as an elementary student to the University’s Fleischmann Planetarium sparked her interest in space and engineering.
Throughout her childhood, Burnett was curious about this path and had the opportunity to work with her neighbor who was an aeronautical engineer and close friend of her grandfather. She would spend hours learning from him about cars, engines and the principles of flight, which, combined with her love for astronomy, naturally guided her toward aerospace engineering.
When it came time for college, she applied to several universities, but chose the University of Nevada because of its affordability, first-generation resources and the emerging programs. Rediscovering her childhood connection to her planetarium field trip while packing for school also further reinforced her pathway.
Now Burnett works at the planetarium, encouraging others to follow their dreams.
Over the past three years, Burnett said her involvement with the planetarium has shaped her personality and skills. She learned about the position after she attended the “Women in Space Pathways to Aviation" event.
Burnett recalls a memorable experience as a student employee when she facilitated a planetarium visit for a mother and her children, making sure they could enjoy the show despite their mom having to wait outside the show with their baby sibling. Burnett explains how she wanted to ensure the kids got to participate, even though the mom couldn’t go with them. The children’s excitement reinforced for her the importance of access and representation in science education.
She enjoys engaging visitors through star talks and interactive demonstrations, introducing them to constellations, deep space objects and broader astronomical concepts.
“This place is important to me," Burnett said. “My job is to interact with the public. There are lots of children or little girls who remind me of when I visited. They come here and are interested in space. It's really kind of like a full cycle thing because now I get to be that adult who tells these girls they can be engineers, scientists and astronomers. Being at the forefront of that is especially important in a field where there isn't a lot of representation.
When she is not inspiring future astronauts, Burnett said the best part of her job is the support she receives from her advisors. The planetarium accommodates her school schedule, prioritizing her academic success while allowing her to gain hands-on experience, such as using high-end telescopes
Burnett is set to graduate in 2028. She hopes to pursue work with organizations such as NASA, Sierra Nevada Corporation or Firefly. Her degree also allows her to branch into other industries, from aviation and oil rigs to clean energy projects, leaving her with no shortage of possibilities for the future.
