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How difficult is it to find a career after graduating from an astronomy major?

I really enjoy my physics class and I want to major in astronomy, but am not sure what I want to do with it after college. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to find a career that I will really love.

science career-path major physics fall22 astronomy
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Mary Jane’s Answer

It may seem odd that I, a pre-health advisor, am responding to you, but I have 2 physicists in my family, including an astronomer, so I know quite a bit about outcomes for physics BS/BA degrees. The math and analytical skills you'd gain as a physics/astro major will allow you to work in a variety of fields, including some that may not seem directly related to physics, like banking and finance. Talk to faculty within your department to see where graduates go to work if they don't want to go to graduate school. Ask whether they recommend you take courses in other departments, like computer science or economics, to best position yourself for employment after graduation. Also, visit your campus career center to see if they have resources to help you investigate the answer to these questions.

Additionally, check out the career resources on the American Astronomical Society website: https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy. You can also go to LinkedIn and search for astro alumni from your institution to see where folks go after graduation, and even reach out to them to see if they would chat with you about their career paths.

You might look for an internship or REU (search "NSF REU") to "test drive" an astronomy career this summer. That would allow you to see if you like the work and to talk with people in the field to determine what level of education you would need to meet your career goals. The AAS site also has summer job & internship info.

Good luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question and thank you for the advice! Kristina
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Andrew’s Answer

It is good to start thinking about future career even in high school. You will have a good start in the academic preparation for college.

On the other hand, you have time to explore career options in college. If you like physics and astronomy, take AP Math, AP Physics, and other appropriate AP courses in high school. With a strong academic foundation, you should find many doors open to you in college.

By then, you will be in a much better position to explore future career options.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Kristina
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Carmen’s Answer

Kristina
visit this website for a career outlook
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physicists-and-astronomers.htm
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Kristina
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