In this episode of VoQuest, host C.W. Elliott sits down with Grant Booker, a sourcing manager at SpaceX's Starlink division, to explore what it's really like working at one of the world's most ambitious companies. Grant shares his non-linear journey from struggling through college engineering courses to landing his dream job at the company launching 82% of all mass sent to orbit.
Discover how Grant overcame imposter syndrome to thrive in SpaceX's high-performance culture, where every employee is held to an incredibly high standard in service of making humanity multi-planetary. Learn about SpaceX's rigorous 6-step, 3-month interview process, including an hour-long presentation to an 8-person panel of engineers and directors.
Grant reveals the key mindset shift that changed everything: instead of trying to find his identity as "an engineer" or "a salesman," he focused on core values like problem-solving and serving others. This values-based approach opened up possibilities he never imagined and ultimately led him from selling packaging materials to SpaceX to managing procurement for satellite components.
Get an inside look at how Starlink actually works—from the 7,000+ satellites in orbit serving 6 million customers to the laser technology that can hit a pancake-sized target 3,000 miles away on something moving 15,000 mph. Plus, hear about Starship, the 330-foot rocket designed to run on fuel that can be manufactured on Mars.
Key Topics:
- Why values matter more than passion in career planning
- How to overcome imposter syndrome in high-achieving environments
- The importance of becoming as valuable as possible in any role
- SpaceX's mission, culture, and incredible launch statistics
- Practical interview tips for competitive companies
- Building experience and networks while in college
- Why being comfortable with discomfort is essential for career growth
Recommended Resources:
- "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
- "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins
- "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
- Cal Newport's books: "How to Win at College," "How to Become a Straight A Student," "So Good They Can't Ignore You"
- Jim Rohn's "The Art of Exceptional Living"