I'm quite late to this discussion, but if you want another story of the abysmal market for physics/astrophysics PhDs, here's my story:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=505903
Update -
I was fortunate enough that I was able to find some temporary work between my graduation and the end of the year to keep my *** afloat. I applied for hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of jobs, and never got anything past phone interviews.
In the end, I got a job (non-permanent)...
A lot of this question comes down to the cosmological distance ladder. WE start with simple ways of measuring distance we KNOW work. We can measure it right here in our chairs. For example, we KNOW parallax works. That's an easy way to get the distances to closeby stars. From there, we can...
I've known a few engineers that went into astronomy. You will have to go through graduate school though. It depends a lot on the school, your courses, and a few other factors, but many grad programs would probably take you. Keep in mind though that you're going to have to go out of your way...
It's actually remarkable how much you *think* you're good as problem solver as an undergrad only to find out how little you knew when you go through grad school. Hell, even looking at the young grads I feel like I was pretty dumb.
I'm sure post-docs feel the same about me.
Wow, my thread blew up while I was away!
Generally I get some lip service about how I had impressive qualifications and such, but "just don't fit any of their openings right now". Generally these people will point out that I do have qualifications that do fit with them, just not with...
Ugh. I've been completely slowed down due to this job I had to take to keep my head above water as I'm looking. Long days, and I'm absolutely wiped most every night.
You are correct, I don't have the best of networks. I do, however, have good friends at very many defense contractors. I've...
Personally, I'm extremely worried that by the time the job market is opened up again, I'll be too far removed from scientific coding and the like to be able to be hired. Basically, they'll tell me to get lost and my whole life to date will be a waste because of things completely beyond my...
I do not wish to sound ungrateful for the advice, but I have literally applied to over 400 jobs, and have gotten past first round screening maybe 3 or 4 times. The long of the short of it is most industries are (pick one or more):
-Lying about job opportunities, and job postings are just to...
A lot of my friends in defense have been telling me that programs have either been cut harshly or been told they're on the same operating budget. Seeing as defense seems to be one of the largest areas we go into, this is very unsettling. Private companies seem to be about the same as far as...
Just as an update, I sent out another 100 apps in July alone. Got a few first round phone interviews, a call or two from managers regarding unposted jobs, but nothing beyond that.
It seems like every time I feel like I may be getting something it doesn't go through. I don't feel anything when...
I hope it's an exaggeration, but I have had *several* college students ask me to add. That is not an exaggeration, and I have asked for clarification every time. Every time the student is embarrassed, but reveals that they don't know how to put two numbers together without a calculator.