Career Options and Opportunities

You may be a future Astronomy-Physics major or an Astronomy-Physics major considering your job options. What can you do with an Astronomy-Physics Bachelor's degree?

CAREER RESOURCES

Success Works (formerly L&S Career Services)

SuccessWorks offers tools such as Discover Careers, Job Search Tools and Strategies, Interview Skills, Graduate School Prep, Career Development courses, and On-Campus Interviews that provide information and opportunities for success. 

• If you explore “Career Communities” on the left dropdown of their page, you will find areas of career focus.  Each of these areas has a Facebook community where you can locate pertinent job postings, internships and other connections in your job field.
• The “Events” section is also useful for viewing upcoming Career Fairs and other SuccessWorks events (Mock interviews, Employer Info sessions and workshops).      
• This site is a Great Resource for your career and job search leading up to graduation (and even after). 
• You can make an appointment to get one-on-one help!  Their new office is above the bookstore on the State Street Mall.

American Astronomical Society

The AAS (American Astronomical Society) is an invaluable career resource for high school and college students alike:

• AAS Careers in Astronomy Brochure
• A New Universe to Explore: Careers in Astronomy
• Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students (REU Internships, Summer Opportunities, Fellowships, Science Policy Fellowships, and the Pathways to Science program)
• AAS Career Center (Held at each AAS Winter Meeting, employers advertise their jobs and interview job candidates)
• AIP State-By-State Listing: Who Is Hiring Physics Bachelors?

Astronomy Department Career Events

Throughout the academic year the Astronomy Department holds the following major and career events.  Dates will be posted at Major Events: 

• Discussion on Application and Interview Strategies for Graduate School and the REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Summer Research Program
• Astronomy Major Open House
• Speak with the Grad Students about the Graduate and REU Experience: Topics Include: Why Grad School, What To Expect, Research Opportunities for Undergrads (REU or with UW Faculty or Grad students)
• Stellar Careers Workshop: A Board of Visitors & Astronomy Dept. Collaboration. Focus: Career Paths and Strategies for Astronomy-Physics Majors, Undergraduate and Graduate. -Directly after event: Attend the L&S STEM Career Fair  -Astronomy Grad Students will hold a follow-up event: Graduate School in Astronomy: How To Successfully Apply And What To Expect

Also, be sure to take advantage of Department Opportunities To Expand Your Skills and Interests.

Considering Graduate School?

Free online practice exams for the GRE and other standardized tests are available through ETS GRE, Exam Focus, Kaplan Test Prep, My GRE Tutor, and Online Masters Program.  Included are test and subject articles, strategies, score analysis, and more.

BACHELOR'S DEGREE CAREERS

Many of our majors pursue graduate degrees in Astronomy or Physics, many do not. Here are some careers reported by our Bachelor's degree graduates:

• Research Intern, Center For Astrophysics
• Senior Test Engineer, Aerojet Rocketdyne
• IT Lead Analyst, Alliant Energy
• Software Engineer, Industrial Light & Magic
• Systems Administrator, Portland General Electric
• Product Development Manager, Mad City Labs, Kloten, Switzerland
• Technical Writer and Editor, Lawrence Livermore National Lab
• Lab Technician, THE DNA Sequencing Lab, Oregon State University Medical Center
• Data Processor/Analyst, John Hopkins University
• Web Marketing eCommerce Project Manager 
• Academic Staff, UW
• IT Business Analyst, Oshkosh Corp 
• Healthcare Technical
• Research Support Professional 
• US Navy Squadron Engineer
• Programmer
• Technical Systems Engineer, Epic
• Science Assistant, National Science Foundation
• Engineer II, CDW in Madison
• Marketing Analyst, Working Planets
• Software Developer/System Administrator
• Research Scientist, UW-Madison
• Network Administrator, Electronic Theatre Controls
• Owner, Engineering Services Company
• Research Intern, IceCube Neutrino Observatory
• Civil Engineer, Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Director: Lake Afton Public Observatory, Fairmount Center for Science & Math Education, and Kansas Science Olympiad
• Secondary Science Teacher, Carmen High School of Science
• Software Engineer II, Infinite Campus
• Research Scientist, U Pennsylvania
• Senior Network Infrastructure Engineer, Charter Manufacturing
• Research Intern, Space Telescope Science Institute
• Patent and Intellectual Property Lawyer
• Vice President of JP Morgan Chase & Co.   

Wisconsin Employers That Have Hired Astronomy Majors:

• Broadcast Interactive Media                      TCS Basys
• Epic Systems Corporation                          Mead & Hunt, Inc.
• GEA Process Engineering, Inc.                   Modine Mfg. Co.
• Harley-Davidson Motor Company               Pronto Progress
• SolidWorks Corporation                             HG Weber
• King Pharmaceuticals                                US Chemical
• Kleiss Gears, Inc.                                     Trane, Inc.
• Prairie Technologies                                  Mad City Labs

What Can You Do With An Astronomy PhD?