Have a great interest in celestial phenomena and physics? If so, chances are that pursuing a career in astrophysics is the perfect option for you. If you're currently in school, try taking advanced math and science classes in high school to hone your skills. Later, you can study as a major in astrophysics, or major in physics and take an astronomy major. In the final semester, try registering for an internship program or becoming a teaching assistant to enrich your experience in the field of astrophysics. If possible, take a graduate program in that field because someone who has a master's or doctoral degree is actually easier to have the possibility of a career in academia, in technology-based companies, or in financial firms.
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Part 1 of 3: Honing Skills at the High School Level
Step 1. Take a math class on an Advanced Placement program, if you are currently studying in the United States
Since mathematics is the "language" used in astrophysics, start honing your mathematical skills since high school. If possible, try taking advanced placement classes such as AB and BC calculus, computer science principles A, and statistics.
- In order to take part in the advanced placement program at the high school level, you must first take a basic algebra class at the junior high level and get the maximum score in that class.
- If you are not currently attending school in the United States, try looking for a similar program at your school.
Step 2. Also take science classes in advanced placement programs
In order to have a successful career in astrophysics, sharpen your science skills by taking advanced placement classes in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics.
During junior high school, make sure your grades in science class are also good so that you can join the advanced placement program at the high school level
Step 3. Join an astronomy or physics club
By doing so, you can meet people who have similar interests. As a result, it will help you to develop your interest and knowledge in astrophysics!
- Clubs or study groups are also a perfect place to find information about science and math competitions, as well as various programs you can join during your holidays.
- If you're having trouble finding one, why not try making your own? By doing so, others will be aware of your initiative to study astrophysics.
Step 4. Increase your interest in astrophysics with the help of books
Look for books written by renowned astrophysicists like Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stephen Hawking, Freeman Dyson, and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. Also, look for books on astronomy and astrophysics that cover exoplanets, asteroids, black holes, arcing time, and other similar topics.
Look for these books in the school library or various bookstores near you
Step 5. Join a science training program, also known as a science camp, during the school holidays
For information on science training programs organized by your school, try asking your science teacher or math teacher. Also know that Summer Fuel and Summer Discovery regularly organize summer science camp programs at universities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and various other countries.
- Try checking out NASA's summer program. Generally, this information can be found on their website.
- In addition, you can also find information about the Summer Science Program, a nonprofit organization that offers science training programs for students in Colorado and New Mexico.
Part 2 of 3: Gaining Experience and Getting an Advanced Degree
Step 1. Have a bachelor's degree in astrophysics
To get one, you may need to take classes in calculus-based physics, computer science, astronomy, and some technical science-related classes. Generally, undergraduate courses need to be taken within 4 years.
If your university doesn't offer a bachelor's degree in astrophysics, try a physics major with an astronomy major, or vice versa
Step 2. Do an internship while on vacation
While studying in an undergraduate or graduate program, try to find time to do internships. Some universities provide internships or research programs for students in astrophysics, physics, and astronomy majors, which can be taken during holidays. To find out whether or not there are equal opportunities at your university, try asking your lecturer or administrative officer who handles academic matters.
You can also take part in internships held by various astrophysics communities, such as the American Astronomical Society if you study in the United States, or take research programs run by universities
Step 3. Get a master's degree in astrophysics
At postgraduate level, you will generally take advanced physics, astronomy and computer science classes, to develop your skills in the areas of measurement and data analysis, computer modeling, advanced mathematics, writing/communication, and scholarship and independent research.
- If you have a master's degree in science, you will be better prepared to work as a research assistant, full-time lecturer, or visiting lecturer at various universities.
- Generally, postgraduate programs need to be taken for 2-3 years.
Step 4. Find information about career opportunities as research assistant lecturers
If there are 1 or 2 lecturers' research materials that interest you, try to dig up information about everything that surrounds the research in their working hours. If you really want to pursue a similar career as your lecturer, try to find out whether or not there is an opportunity to become a lecturer research assistant. Generally, you can do this work during the holidays.
- Try asking, "Where did your interest in the research material come from?" and "What projects are you currently working on?"
- Make sure you also have good grades in their class, okay!
Step 5. Get a doctorate in astrophysics
Generally, students who have completed the master's degree will continue their education to the doctoral level in the field of astrophysics. At the doctoral level, you usually need to continue independent research that has been started at the master's level. In addition, doctoral candidates also need to take a variety of new classes to develop their experience in a specific field.
- Having a doctorate degree will increase your readiness to work as a researcher or lecturer at universities, in government institutions such as the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), in public and private research institutes, as well as in various observatories and science centers.
- Generally, the doctoral level needs to be taken within 4-6 years.
Step 6. Try applying for a research fellowship program after you have earned your doctorate
In general, fellowships are scholarships that focus on developing one's professional abilities in a specific field, and generally need to be completed for 3 years. You can generally find information regarding the program on university notice boards, or through government agencies and/or public research.
If your goal is to become a researcher at a university, you will usually need to complete 1-2 fellowships before applying to become a full-time researcher at the university
Part 3 of 3: Looking for a Job
Step 1. Find a job in academia
In particular, try to find job vacancies as permanent lecturers or visiting lecturers at various universities. If you want, ask your former professors on campus for job recommendations because they likely have information about universities that are looking for lecturer candidates. Before doing so, understand that some universities will only hire people who already have a doctorate degree as full-time lecturers.
Therefore, if you only have a master's degree, try applying as a guest lecturer in scientific fields such as geology, chemistry, applied mathematics, atmospheric science, and engineering
Step 2. Find a job as a technician in a technology-based company
Basically, technology-based companies, both public and private, usually employ astrophysicists as technicians or members of the technical division. If you are interested in this career opportunity, please look for work at major technology companies such as Apple, Raytheon, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Google, Oracle, and Cisco Systems.
Step 3. Find a job as a data analyst at a financial firm
Because astrophysicists have excellent data analysis skills, financial firms will often hire them to perform market modeling, particularly to perform data analysis to predict financial markets.
If you are interested in these career opportunities, try looking for work at the World Bank, MasterCard, ING, Goldman Sachs, GE Capital, and Standard Chartered Bank
Step 4. Find a job at an observatory or national institute
Generally, space agencies will employ astrophysicists who have earned master's or doctoral degrees as technicians in the fields of satellite development, space programs, exoplanet research, and galactic and star observations. In Indonesia, you can find such a career at LAPAN which is in charge of government affairs in the field of research and technology.
