Astronomy Career Suggestions?

There aren't many jobs in astronomy if you don't have a PhD, and even then, there aren't a lot of jobs. But plenty of us are going for it anyway. Having a PhD in physics and studying astronomy is probably the way to go, since a career in physics will let you teach or do astronomy and physics, whereas with a PhD in astronomy, people will assume you can't do physics at a PhD level.

Most astronomers work for colleges and universities, teaching and doing research, for national labs (like NOAO, NSO, LLNL, LANL), or NASA. While we collaborate with other people, you're still doing a lot on your own, and we don't tend to work in big groups where there's a hierarchy.

I'll list the top grad schools in astronomy. Any of those would be good for your physics major (astronomy, math, and computer science courses are useful in undergrad, but physics is essential) and then you can go to another for grad school (you are discouraged from attending the same school).

Harvard, CalTech, Berkeley, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, Stanford, U Chicago, U Toronto, U Arizona, UT Austin, U Washington, U Hawaii, Ohio State, UMass Amherst, U Virginia, Clemson, Notre Dame, Arizona State, and probably a few more I've forgotten.

Didn't I already answer this for you once?

Anyway...

If you want a career in astronomy - then yes - you need to do a PhD.

You could work in a planetarium or museum without PhD - but that's about it.

As for careers - basically it's college professor or research scientist for a government lab (e.g. NASA). either way you need a PhD.

The nice thing about either job is that you tend to have a lot of freedom. You do have a "boss", but you tend to be able to do more or less what you want (within certain limits).

I'm a university professor which means that I am more or less my own boss. I have to teach certain courses each semester, and I don;t get to set the schedule - but that's pretty much the only limit. I do work long hours, and I also mentor and advise both undergraduate and graduate students, but that is on my own schedule. I also do a lot of "outreach" - i.e. giving talks etc for the general public. And then the main part of my job is research (I study stardust). I have to write proposals to raise money and get telescope time - but in both cases it is on topics of my choosing.

This is the best job in the world. It's not easy - but I get paid to think about stardust and share my knowledge.

As for how to get there - take as much science and math as you can in high school. If you can take calculus before you get to college, this will help you a lot.

Once you get to college - make sure you get to do some research as an undergraduate - it will serve you well in getting into grad school (and remember this when picking colleges).

To get anywhere in an astronomy related career requires a PhD. This entails at least 10 years worth of University work. The rest are self confidence issues that can only be resolved by you (might try the military, they are very good at building up self confidence). Find something that you really like to do and are good at and run with it. You can always take up astronomy as an amateur and learn at your own pace.

Stardust and Eri are absolutely right, and you would do well to follow their advice. I am fortunate in that I am sponsored by a national body, and I get to "follow my nose" pretty much, although any proposal I make has to be peer judged to justify the expenditure. Unfortunately, positions like that are very few and far between, and although I do mentor post grads occasionally, most of my work is theoretical. If you are prepared to work extremely hard (and I'm sure Stardust and Eri will agree), you have every chance of fulfilling your dream, because so many drop out. I wish you all the luck in the world, and yes, I still feel that same excitement you do!

WOW

WE ARE SO THE SAME:)

IM 16 and I discovered lots of things with my telescope and also I am studying at a Community College taking Astronomy as my major:)AND im hopefully gonna transfer to U.C.Berkeley to get my PhD.:).

Where you are?

Im glad to meet someone like you:)

heres my myspace.

http://myspace.com/chriscindy2007.com

or facebook:jr_113091@yahoo.com:)

You can teach unappreciative college kids Astronomy 100 and get paid enough for food and housing.

Or you can develop your own shuttle, go into space and live there. It is like a dream come true for you. You could chill with the stars as they go through their life cycles.