Astrophysics Career: 10th Grader Interested in Space

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the career prospects in astrophysics and cosmology for a 10th grader interested in space. It touches on potential job opportunities, salary expectations, and preparation for research positions at organizations like NASA or ISRO.

Discussion Character

  • Career Guidance, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong interest in pursuing a career in astrophysics or cosmology and inquires about the suitability and future prospects of such a career.
  • Another participant suggests looking up salaries for faculty positions, noting the scarcity of industry jobs in astrophysics.
  • A participant emphasizes a desire to avoid industry jobs and seeks advice on preparation for research roles at NASA or ISRO.
  • There is a correction regarding the terminology used for job security in academia, with one participant clarifying that "tentative job" should be referred to as "tenure."
  • Another participant describes post-doctorate positions as short-term research roles funded by grant money, indicating that they are not permanent jobs.
  • A later reply characterizes postdoc positions as akin to "indentured servitude," suggesting a critical view of the nature of such roles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature and desirability of post-doctorate positions, with some viewing them as valuable opportunities while others criticize them. There is no consensus on the best path forward for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific salary data and the varying definitions of job security in academia. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of career paths in astrophysics.

space curious
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i am in 10th std. and i am very very interested in space.i want to choose astrophysics or cosmology as a career.but will it be perfect career for me in future?how much salary would i get, as an average?
 
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Look up the salary for faculty at the schools where you would likely end up teaching.

There are not many industry jobs in astrophysics.
 
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Dr. Courtney said:
Look up the salary for faculty at the schools where you would likely end up teaching.

There are not many industry jobs in astrophysics.
i don't want any industry jobs.what should i do preparation to joining NASA or ISRO for research?
 
This is the "Introductions Only" forum, no questions. Since someone accidentally replied to your post, I will move it to the proper forum which is Career Guidance.

Also, NASA doesn't hire non-US citizens, you might get hired by a contractor.
 
space curious said:
i don't want any industry jobs.what should i do preparation to joining NASA or ISRO for research?
There are some jobs called post-doctorate jobs which are at universities teaching other students and if you do chose to do that you are also free to do some reserach of your own and if you do well enough they will give you a a tentative job which means that you can never be fired.
 
Eva_ said:
... if you do well enough they will give you a a tentative job which means that you can never be fired.

I think you mean tenure, not tentative.

And this thread is nearly a year old.
 
Eva_ said:
There are some jobs called post-doctorate jobs which are at universities teaching other students and if you do chose to do that you are also free to do some reserach of your own
In the USA at least, postdocs are (short term) research positions. Generally you work for a specific research group within the university, and you get paid out of the group's grant money.
 
A postdoc is not a real job, more like indentured servitude. Generally, only the insanely ambitious, or merely insane, seek such a position.
 
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