Project Description
Overview
Interested in staring into space? Wondering about the origin of the universe?
Astronomers are typically doctoral-level professionals working for research organizations, including higher education and government labs. You can get your start doing research with a bachelor or master’s degree at many of the National Labs.
There are a range of space-related careers in addition to astronomy. Engineers, technicians, and communications professionals are key to successful missions. Learn more here.
Salary Info
From the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- 2016 Median Salary: $114,870
Salaries vary widely depending on role, geographic location, and level of experience. Do your research to get a better sense of what specific companies in particular cities are paying entry-level employees. Check out Glassdoor and Salary.com to get an idea. Also, a cost of living calculator can be very useful when trying to compare salaries in different parts of the country.
Organizations
The Department of Energy oversees the National labs responsible for conducting astronomical research. Many hire student interns for the summer, and you can search for those here.
Resources
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
- Preparing for Graduate School
- Curriculum Vitae
- Society of Physics Students
- American Astronomical Society
- Careers Using Physics
- Physicists and Astronomers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- PhysLink (List of other Physics and Astronomy Associations)
- American Physical Society – Careers
- American Institute of Physics – Who’s Hiring?
- CERN Summer Student Programme
Comments are closed.