In this article, you’ll find out about some of the options for astronomy careers and what they entail. You’ll also learn how to get your hands on a scholarship or grant if you want to pursue an education in Astronomy! The sky is a beautiful thing, and the Universe holds many wonders that still elude us. Some people get to spend their lives looking up at it–and there are some careers in Astronomy for those who want to do just that! There are so many opportunities out there if you have a love of astronomy. Want to know more about what’s available? Keep reading!
What do Astronomers do?
Astronomers study stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial objects to better understand our place in the Universe. There are so many different types of astronomers that one can specialize in! Some might be interested only in observing astronomical phenomena while others may want more active involvement with research projects. Astronomer is just one type of career available; there’s still much more we could explore.
Astronomy Careers:
- Observer: Someone who observes celestial phenomena but does not use any equipment other than their eyesight, as would be the case if this person was standing outside at night watching the stars.
- Research Scientist: This type of career usually involves conducting experiments with telescopes and collecting data from sensors.
- Project Manager: This type of career usually involves overseeing the work effort and evaluating how well or poorly they are managing their time, personnel, equipment, etc.
Searching for “best colleges” will yield a plethora of results with various opinions on what makes one school better than another. In general, though, these types of schools have been ranked highly by at least one organization (such as U.S News & World Report). Here are some examples to consider: Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University.
Eligibility:
There are no eligibility criteria when it comes to pursuing an astronomy degree – anyone can enroll in classes! Scholarships may be available to students whose parents make less money per year, or students that have been in other STEM-related fields.
Scholarships:
A scholarship may be a monetary award given to an individual who is studying at, applying for, or already enrolled as a student. Scholarships are often offered by outside organizations such as foundations and corporations, but can also come from the government (such as grants) and/or colleges themselves (tuition waivers). The amount of scholarships available varies depending on where they’re sourced from – some offer just enough funds to help cover tuition while others pay up to full tuition rates!
Rhodes Scholarship:
There are plenty of awards available to those who study in the field, from a small scholarship given by an individual organization to prestigious scholarships like the Rhodes Scholarship. Scholarships allow students to attend school without taking out loans and for some provide enough money that they don’t have to take on any other work besides studying!
NASA Space Grant Exploration Scholars Program:
The most well-known scholarships for those who study astronomy are the Rhodes Scholarship and the NASA Space Grant Exploration Scholars Program, both of which pay up to full tuition rates!
National Science Foundation or American Geophysical Union (AGU):
There are also smaller organizations that offer assistance like awards given by National Science Foundation or American Geophysical Union (AGU). If you’re a minority looking to pursue an astronomical career, there’s even funding specifically targeted towards your needs – such as fellowships from APAITIUSA or VUMC to help cover travel expenses!)
By – Priyanka Dhillon
