Astronomy
What is astronomy? In the most basic definition, astronomy is the study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, gas, galaxies, gas, dust and other non-Earthly bodies and phenomena. As you think about careers in astronomy or astrophysics, the profession is a relatively small community compared to other science career fields. As the American Astronomical Society notes, though it can be a disadvantage in that there is a low turnover rate year to year for those joining the community, it is also advantageous in that it is very close-knit and one can therefore work with very senior people early on.
General Career Advice
Those pursuing degrees in Astronomy or Astrophysics have a number of career options available to them, as jobs related to astronomy or astrophysics can be found in colleges or universities, observatories and laboratories, government agencies, businesses or industry, public service and non-profits.
Regardless of your desired career path, each astronomy or astrophysics student should plan to pursue opportunities that provide valuable experiences and skills - such as campus involvement, research, internships, volunteering, and community engagement. Not only are these great experience to add to your resume, but they can also help you determine what type of work environments, activities, projects, and “X factors” are a good fit for you.
Graduate school is often part of the future career trajectory for astronomy and astrophysics majors. Some students choose to enter graduate school immediately after Wellesley, while others may choose to work for a few years before returning to school. Still others may choose to not pursue graduate school at all. There are astronomy and astrophysics related opportunities for those at all degree levels - bachelors, masters, and doctorate - but it is important to understand that some opportunities as well as advancement in certain fields may require additional schooling.
Pursuing a Graduate Degree in Astronomy
If you are considering pursuing a graduate degree in astronomy, there are plenty of great resources out there to help you start asking the right questions. Check out the Graduate School resource page for a broad overview about graduate school, including the application timeline, asking for references, and financing your education.
The American Astronomical Society has a comprehensive list of colleges and universities that offer astronomy-related degrees. When looking for astronomy or astrophysics graduate programs, you will need to do some in-depth research about those programs to gain a better understanding of their admissions requirements, the focus of their degree, research areas of the faculty, and the curriculum for the degree. While there are both objective and subjective factors that go into deciding what type of graduate degree or graduate program to pursue, some questions to start with include:
- What are the research specialties/areas of the faculty?
- What research projects do the current graduate student work on?
- What are facilities, observatories, telescopes, etc. like?
- What are the outcomes of the graduates — academia, research, industry, government, or other professional areas?
- What is the quality of life for a Master’s or PhD student?
If you are looking for an in-person consultation about graduate school, a good place to start would be by meeting with an Industry Advisor in Career Education. Additionally, you should plan to speak with the faculty in the astronomy department, as your faculty (especially your advisor) will be an essential resource in your graduate school application process.
Career Resources and Professional Organization
Organizations on Campus
A.S.T.R.O.
Astronomy Career Resources and Advice
- REU Sites: Astronomical Sciences (National Science Foundation)
- A New Universe to Explore: Careers in Astronomy (PDF from the American Astronomical Society)
- Building a Career in Astronomy (podcast from Astronomy Cast)
Professional Organizations
- American Astronomical Society
- NASA
- Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory
- European Southern Observatory
- American Meteorological Society
- Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- American Association of Variable Star Observers
- International Astronomical Union
- The Royal Astronomical Society (UK)
Internships and Fellowships
Brooke Owens Fellowship Program
The Brooke Owens Fellowship Program is designed to serve both as an inspiration and as a career boost to capable young women who, like Brooke, aspire to explore our sky and stars, to shake up the aerospace industry, and to help their fellow men and women here on planet Earth.
Patti Grace Smith Fellowship
An official spin-off of the award-winning Brooke Owens Fellowship, and based closely on that successful model, this fellowship program provides extraordinary Black students with their first work experience in the aerospace industry, personalized mentorship, and a cohort of similarly driven and talented young Black people pursuing aerospace careers.
Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program - Applications available in September
The Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program is a highly selective internship and mentorship program that provides extraordinary summer opportunities to current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students passionate about commercial spaceflight.
Updated March 11, 2022
