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What can I do with a minor in astronomy?
Additional Navigation
SUNY Oswego - Career Services
- Career Communities
- Major And Career Exploration
- Resumes and Cover Letters
- Networking, Personal Branding and LinkedIn
- Job and Internship Searching
- Graduate School
- Online Career Tools
- Affinity Group Resources
- Compensation Negotiation
- Events
- Graduate Outcomes
- Information for
- Resource Center
- Connect with us
View videos of professionals describing a day on the job
Program Manager, Honeywell Aerospace
Get involved in a professional organization
American Astronomical Society American Institute of Physics American Nuclear Society American Physical Society Society of Physics StudentsSearch for opportunities
- Research Assistant
- Planetarium Outreach Educator
- Support Astronomer
- Information System Specialist
- Software Engineer
Explore the numerous career fields related to your major
Astrophysics
Areas
- Research
- Consulting
- Writing
- Public relations
- Education
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- Department of Defense
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Naval Observatory
- Naval Research Laboratory
- Aerospace
- Scientific supply
- Computer software
- Remote sensing
- Communications
- Observatories
- Planetariums
- Science museums
- Nonprofit foundations
Sample occupations
- Obtain experience through part-time or volunteer positions in a planetarium, observatory, or science museum.
- Cultivate broad knowledge of astronomy and speaking skills for jobs working with the public.
- Develop strong writing skills for preparing scientific reports.
- Seek undergraduate research opportunities with professors in the field.
- Develop a specialty area of expertise such as remote sensing, instrumentation, computer applications, etc.
- Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research positions.
Science Education
Areas
- Teaching
- Computer software development
- Educational research
- Writing and editing
- Library and information science
Employers
- Public school systems, K-12
- Private schools, K-12
- Publishing companies
- Software developers
- Libraries
Sample occupations
- Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written, for interacting with students, colleagues, and parents.
- Gain experience working with age group of interest through volunteering and tutoring.
- Become skilled in the use of computers and laboratory equipment.
- Acquire appropriate certification for K-12 teaching opportunities.
- Due to a shortage of physical science teachers, there are alternative certification programs across the country for those with science and mathematics backgrounds.
- Seek advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching, and other professional positions.
Particle/High Energy Physics
Areas
- Research
- Consulting
- Instrumentation
- Operations and maintenance
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- Department of Energy
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
- Nonprofit research centers
Sample occupations
- Plan to study the most fundamental aspects of the universe if pursuing this physics specialty.
- Acquire a strong mathematics and computer science background.
- Scientific computing and data analysis skills are essential.
- Choose a theoretical or experimental track and seek research experience through work at national labs or with faculty.
- Pursue Ph.D. for advanced positions in academia and research.
Engineering Physics
Areas
- Engineering (process and testing)
- Research
- Quality control
- Development
- Instrumentation
- Consulting
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- High technology, Chemical, Aerospace, Agriculture, Energy, Fuel, Computer, Transportation Industries
- Engineering firms
- Manufacturing and processing firms
- Hospitals
Sample occupations
- Choose a major in engineering physics or supplement major with engineering minor.
- Seek internship or co-op experience in interest area.
- Develop strong oral and written communication skills for working on interdisciplinary teams.
- Complete applicable licensure through professional organizations which is regulated by state in the engineering profession.
- Pursue advanced degree in engineering, engineering physics, or physics for increased opportunities.
Nuclear Physics
Areas
- Research
- Development
- Consulting
- Instrumentation
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- National Aeronautical and Space Administration
- Department of Energy
- Department of Defense
- Security/weapons, Nuclear accelerators, Nuclear reactors, Nuclear instrumentation, Radioisotope products, Healthcare, Environmental protection, Food irradiation Industries
Sample occupations
- Acquire a strong background of physics, mathematics, and computer science knowledge.
- Develop competence in experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
- Choose a theoretical or experimental track and seek internship experience in industry, government, or academic settings alongside scientists and faculty.
- Pursue master’s degree or Ph.D. for advanced positions in industry.
General information and strategies
- Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in the field.
- Obtain experience through part-time or volunteer positions in a planetarium, observatory, or science museum.
- Cultivate broad knowledge of astronomy and speaking skills for jobs working with the public.
- Join relevant professional associations. Attend meetings and stay up-to-date on research/publications.
- Acquire oral, written, and interpersonal skills for sharing findings and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
- Gain experience using appropriate scientific instruments and equipment.
- Participate in summer research institutes.
- Submit research to local poster competitions or research symposiums.
- A bachelor’s degree will qualify candidates for positions as research assistants, high-level technicians, or computer specialists, as well as nontechnical work in publishing or sales.
- An undergraduate degree also provides a solid background for pursuing advanced degrees in other employment areas such as law, business, or accounting.
- A graduate degree and post-graduate experience will allow for more responsibility and advancement in the field.
- A doctorate is required for college or university teaching, advanced research, and administrative positions.
- Develop a specialty area of expertise such as remote sensing, instrumentation, computer applications, etc.