Insite

[shortstuffO3]

I was just wondering. I am a student and i am starting to look into careers. I really enjoy sciece and i wonder what is out there in the field. I am starting to lean into astronomy and i would like to know a little about it and what it has to offer. It would be a great help!

[Cheekystar]

Why not visit your local careers centre?

or visit the connexions website?

[Buenchico]

To work within astronomy you need really good university qualifications. A good honours (1st or 2-1) bachelor's degree, in a relevant subject, is only the first step. You'll then need to carry on to take your master's degree as a prelude to research work towards your doctorate. Only then will you be in a position to attempt finding employment within astronomy.

More information about careers in astronomy is here:
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/j obprofiles/profiles/profile1302/

You can find out about other careers in science by selecting from the options here:
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/j obprofiles/profiles/profile1302/

Hoping this helps,

Chris

[gammaray]

Don't waste your time with the careers centre. Fine if you want to be a plumber or a shop worker, but frankly they are incapable of thinking outside the box.

Contact the science museum or somewhere like Jodrel Bank and ask for advice and information.

[CT]

Well, I graduated last summer with a degree in Physics with Astrophysics. Currently i'm doing some work in the Physics department I graduated in. Having said that i'm not entirely sure I want to continue with astronomy or the like. My degree was fascinating for the most part, if hard work, and now I have a working knowledge of most things astronomy related. A degree in Physics is not always that easy to find somewhere to work in. Not much in the way of jobs for physics related careers, but if you get this far you'll be able to go out and look for stuff yourself. There are jobs if time and effort are put into the search. People are always after competent scientists and mathematicians. Chris' above post is right about if you want a career in this area you'll need a good degree, then a postdoctorate qualification.
Before this you'll need to have good maths skills to get the grades to get on to the course (or be willing to work at them). I would absolutely say it is worth it mind. I loved doing physics, if not always the work load associated with it. And you'll always be able to tell your friends and family about how the space related stuff works, even if you only do physics until you get your degree.