Charlie Miller
Former NSA “white hat” Hacker, renowned Automotive and iPhone Hacker
Jose Hernandez
Former NASA Astronaut; Inspiration for Amazon Prime Movie "A Million Miles Away"; Entrepreneur; Farmer; Author
As a child, speaker Jose Hernandez cultivated a titanic work ethic while picking crops as a migrant worker. His ingenuity and grit led him to develop pioneering diagnostic equipment, and eventually into space as a NASA astronaut. His incredible journey from fields to the stars was depicted in Amazon Prime's 2023 film, "A Million Miles Away". Now retired from NASA, Hernandez shares his stories and life lessons as an immensely popular motivational speaker.
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Jose Hernandez biography
From harvesting crops across California to collecting data in space, astronaut and motivational speaker Jose Hernandez has led a remarkable life. Now a highly popular speaker, Jose Hernandez inspires audiences with his story of resourcefulness, self-purpose, and perseverance. Jose is also a very popular speaker for schools and universities celebrating the Hispanic Heritage month. His motivational story and STEM advocacy is perfect for younger audiences.
Born into a migrant farming family in Stockton, California, Jose Hernandez spoke only Spanish until age 12. He spent those years on a long circuit up the length of California, harvesting crops from March to November. Growing up on the move gave Hernandez a special kind of self-determination. His parents made sure that no matter how many times he changed schools, no matter how dicey the neighborhoods he lived in, Jose stayed focused and driven to learn.
With a tremendous work ethic built in the sweltering California fields, Hernandez excelled in college. His graduate work in electrical engineering helped secure Hernandez a job at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. There, he helped develop an x-ray laser and the world’s first full-field mammography system.
But Hernandez had grown up gazing in wonder at the stars. At age 42, older than most rookie astronauts, Hernandez joined the 19th class of US astronauts. Five years later, he served as the flight engineer on NASA’s two-week-long STS-128 mission.
In 2023, Amazon Prime premiered a biographical film titled “A Million Miles Away,” chronicling José’s journey from a humble immigrant laborer to an accomplished engineer, and eventually, an astronaut. The film draws inspiration from his 2012 memoir, “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut,” highlighting his unwavering determination, sense of community, and self-sacrifice in pursuing an extraordinary dream.
Additionally, Hernandez is a member of the Eta Kappa New Electrical Engineering Honor Society. He holds degrees—including an honorary LL.D. degree—from UC-Santa Barbara, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 2015.
Jose Hernandez Speaking Videos
José Hernández Moreno - Kid who touched the stars
How Astronaut José Hernández Went From Migrant Worker to NASA
Jose Hernandez Keynote Topics
Jose Hernandez's inspiring story of becoming the first Mexican-American astronaut despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks. Growing up as a migrant worker and not learning English until he was 12, Hernandez persevered and worked hard to eventually join an elite team developing technology for early breast cancer detection. His message of determination and striving for greatness resonates as a classic American tale.
Impostor syndrome: a phenomenon that commonly affects high achievers, particularly those who are the first in their family to achieve academic or professional success. These individuals may struggle with self-doubt and a sense of inadequacy, questioning whether they truly deserve the recognition and accolades they have received. Jose will not only explore this topic, but also share strategies he used to overcome his own feelings of impostor syndrome.
In his keynote speech, Hernandez shares his personal experiences of how teamwork played a crucial role in his journey to space, and how it can help others overcome challenges and achieve their goals. He discusses the importance of collaboration, communication, and trust in building successful teams, and offers practical tips and strategies for fostering a culture of teamwork in any organization.
Whether you are a leader looking to inspire and motivate your team, or an individual seeking to achieve your own personal goals, Hernandez's keynote on teamwork is sure to inspire and empower you to reach for the stars.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Jose Hernandez
How to book Jose Hernandez as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Jose Hernandez as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Jose Hernandez's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Jose Hernandez or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Jose Hernandez speaking fee?
Jose Hernandez speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Jose Hernandez to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Jose Hernandez.
How can I contact Jose Hernandez?
We only work with Jose Hernandez on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Jose Hernandez and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Jose Hernandez speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Jose Hernandez for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Jose Hernandez for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Jose Hernandez is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Jose Hernandez for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
