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How to work in NASA

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astronomy
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Doc’s Answer

Alijan the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) employs thousands of people in a wide variety of different positions, in fields such as astronomy, engineering, pilots, research, electronics, information technology and more. If your interested in pursuing a career in astronomy the position requires a Ph.D. in the field of astronomy, which usually takes 5-7 years to complete. You'll need to complete a Bachelor's degree in physics (with additional courses taken in astronomy, chemistry, and geology) or astronomy (with additional courses taken in physics and mathematics) are most commonly accepted for graduate programs in astronomy. Most Ph.D. programs also recommend taking classes in the social sciences, humanities, and writing. In addition, because astronomy graduate programs are highly competitive, beginning research early in an academic career can be very beneficial. Some Ph.D. programs will require students to complete a Master's of Science degree prior to entering a Ph.D. program, while others only require a Bachelor's degree. After completing a Ph.D. program, aspiring astronomers often enter one or more postdoctoral research positions. These take roughly 2-3 years to complete. Postdoctoral scholars work under senior astronomers before taking on more complex projects. Astronomers who are employed by the federal government may need to obtain proper security clearance.

Astronomers apply the principles of physics and mathematics to learn more about the universe. They gather data on the characteristics of planets, moons, stars, and other objects using telescopes and computer programs. Astronomers usually specialize in certain types of celestial bodies or events, such as black holes or planetary systems. Typical duties include developing and testing scientific theories, analyzing data, and writing research proposals. They also spend time composing scientific papers and presenting their findings to others in the field. Most astronomers work within a team of scientists. They usually work full time, although research may also be conducted at night when some objects are more visible. Astronomers primarily work in offices. They may be required to work in observatories or to travel internationally to facilities with specialized equipment. They also travel when presenting research.

Reach for the stars Alijan
Thank you comment icon Good answer! John Kriegel
Thank you comment icon Thank You John. Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much. Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Thank You Joseph. What you do today can change all the tomorrow's of your life. Doc Frick
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Joel’s Answer

Hi Alijan - am not an expert on this subject, but have some experience based on my daughter who recently graduated. Check out what types of projects a school might be involved related to space and NASA that you have interest in attending. Some may only be involved through student organizations vs directly tied to the university, though many schools help out these organizations also. An example of one is https://seds.org/ (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space). Or you could even be the one to help start a chapter of this org where you live or if it doesn't exist at the school you may or are attending. My daughter was part of this group during her time at the university she attended. It gave her access to projects being worked on by students with NASA and even got her a few trips to NASA facilities where she worked with current engineers and astronauts in the program. These are great ways to build a relationship and network while also finding a number of students interested in space.
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