Careers for Astronomy Majors

Approximately half of our majors go on to graduate school and work toward a Ph.D. in astronomy or planetary science. Graduates who completed their doctorates have gone on to work at national observatories, colleges, universities, NASA, and other scientific laboratories. Others have earned degrees in engineering or computer science and work in industry.  Some of our alums have pursued degrees in law or business.

Those who haven chosen not to pursue advanced degrees have applied their skills in other ways, such as working as research assistants, telescope operators, educators, technical writers, museum staffers, librarians, and more.  Their science backgrounds have prepared them to find success in many fields.       

More information:

• A New Universe to Explore: Careers in Astronomy Brochure from the American Astronomical Society aas.org.
• Astronomy-Powered Careers from the American Astronomical Society aas.org.