The Naomi H NASA Story: When A Dream Job Met A Tweetstorm

12 Jul, 2025

Imagine receiving the news that you've landed a coveted internship at NASA. For many, it's the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and a lifelong dream. The excitement would be palpable, a moment worth celebrating. This was precisely the situation for a young woman identified as Naomi H, who, in 2018, found herself on the precipice of an incredible opportunity with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Her story, however, quickly took an unexpected turn, transforming from a tale of triumph into a cautionary one about the volatile nature of social media and the critical importance of digital professionalism. What began as an ecstatic announcement on Twitter soon spiraled into a controversy that cost her the very internship she had so enthusiastically proclaimed.

A Dream Announced: The Initial Tweet

On a seemingly ordinary Monday, the digital world buzzed with Naomi H's (@NaomiH_official) exuberant declaration. She had been accepted into NASA's internship program, and her joy was boundless. Her tweet, while now deleted, was reportedly filled with an emphatic expression of her elation, celebrating her acceptance into "mother-flippin' NASA." This level of excitement is certainly understandable; after all, securing a position at such a prestigious institution is a monumental achievement.

Her initial tweet was a testament to the power of social media as a platform for sharing personal milestones. It allowed her to broadcast her success to friends, followers, and even strangers, inviting them to share in her happiness. Little did she know, this same platform would become the stage for her swift downfall.

The Unfortunate Exchange: A Profanity-Laced Reply

The celebratory atmosphere surrounding Naomi's announcement was short-lived. Among the replies to her tweet was a comment from a user who noted Naomi's "language" – likely referring to the profanity used in her initial celebratory tweet. What followed was a response from Naomi that would prove to be her undoing.

In a sexually vulgar tweet, completely unsuitable for public consumption, Naomi doubled down on her language, defiantly concluding with the statement, "I'm working at NASA." This reply, far from being a private exchange, was visible to anyone following the thread. Unbeknownst to Naomi, or perhaps overlooked in her excitement, one of the individuals who had replied to her initial tweet was Homer Hickam, a renowned author, former NASA engineer, and a member of the National Space Council. While the vulgar reply wasn't directed at Hickam specifically, it was part of a public conversation he was engaged in, and its content quickly became a central point of contention.

The incident underscored a critical lesson: in the public domain of social media, every word, every reply, carries weight, especially when one is about to represent an organization like NASA.

The Swift Consequence: Internship Lost

The repercussions of Naomi's online conduct were almost immediate and devastating. Just a few days after her joyous announcement, the news broke: Naomi H had lost her NASA internship. Social media was abuzz with the story, as users watched in real-time how a dream opportunity evaporated due to a poorly thought-out tweet.

The swiftness of the consequence served as a stark reminder that in today's interconnected world, the line between personal and professional conduct is increasingly blurred. For organizations like NASA, maintaining a certain level of public image and professionalism is paramount, and the actions of their prospective employees, even interns, can reflect directly on their brand.

Homer Hickam's Role and Apology

The role of Homer Hickam in this saga became a point of discussion. As a respected figure in the space community and a member of the National Space Council, his presence in the Twitter exchange drew significant attention. Initially, there was speculation that Hickam had directly caused Naomi's termination.

However, Hickam later clarified his position. While he did apologize for the outcome, stating he was sorry that the 21-year-old had been fired, he maintained that he "did nothing to get the young woman fired." He explained that he merely pointed out the inappropriate language to NASA officials after seeing it in the thread, assuming they would simply issue a warning. He expressed regret that it escalated to her losing the internship. In a surprising turn, Naomi reportedly apologized to Mr. Hickam, an act which he called "unnecessary," and he subsequently offered to help her find a new position. This gesture softened the narrative, showing a degree of compassion despite the unfortunate circumstances.

Lessons from the Tweetstorm: Social Media and Professionalism

Naomi H's story became a viral case study, illustrating the profound impact of social media on professional opportunities. It highlighted several crucial lessons for anyone navigating the digital landscape, especially those aspiring to work for prestigious organizations:

The Public Eye: Every Tweet Counts

Assume Everything is Public: Even if you think your account is private, or your reply is to a specific person, content can easily be screenshotted and shared widely.
Your Online Persona Reflects on You (and Your Employer): When you're associated with an organization, your online behavior can be perceived as a reflection of that organization's values. This applies even to prospective employees or interns.

The Perils of Instant Gratification

Think Before You Tweet: In the heat of the moment, it's easy to fire off a quick, emotional response. Taking a moment to pause and consider the potential ramifications of your words can prevent significant regrets.
Understand the Audience: A casual, profanity-laced conversation among friends is different from a public exchange where industry professionals might be listening. Tailor your language and tone accordingly.

Building a Professional Online Presence

Maintain Professional Decorum: Even when expressing excitement, it's wise to maintain a level of professionalism that aligns with the standards of your desired workplace.
Separate Personal and Professional (or Be Extra Careful): Some choose to have separate accounts for personal and professional use. If you use one account for everything, exercise extreme caution with your public posts.

Naomi's story is a vivid example of how a single, poorly thought-out tweet can unravel a significant career opportunity. While her excitement was genuine, the manner in which she expressed it and responded to criticism ultimately cost her a dream job.

Summary

The story of Naomi H and her lost NASA internship serves as a powerful modern-day fable about the double-edged sword of social media. What began as an inspiring moment of achieving a dream job quickly transformed into a public lesson on digital conduct. Her initial celebratory tweet, followed by a defiant and vulgar reply in a public exchange that included a prominent figure like Homer Hickam, led to the swift revocation of her coveted NASA internship. While Homer Hickam later expressed regret for the outcome and offered assistance, the incident remains a stark reminder that in the age of instant communication, every online interaction carries potential consequences, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining professionalism and decorum in the digital sphere, especially when representing oneself in a professional capacity.

Naomi Hartono - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | LinkedIn

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