Preparing for industry while studying astrophysics?

[Opus_723]

So, I am very sure I want to study astrophysics. Ideally, I would become a researcher, but I know that this is extremely unlikely. However, I also know that I would always regret it if I didn't try. But, understanding how unlikely this is, I want to be prepared. Is there any way to study other subjects (electrical engineering, computer science, or another branch of physics would all be interesting) concurrently in a way that would be attractive to industry employers?

I am OKAY with starting my career at an entry level job if I decide to leave astrophysics. I'm not viewing the phd as an investment, but rather an experience and opportunity. Money shouldn't be an issue so long as I'm making at least an entry level salary when I start my career. I just want to know if it's possible to do this.

 

[twofish-quant]

So, I am very sure I want to study astrophysics. Ideally, I would become a researcher, but I know that this is extremely unlikely.

It's not unlikely. If you are a graduate student, you are a researcher. They won't let you get a Ph.D. until you've done original research.

Is there any way to study other subjects (electrical engineering, computer science, or another branch of physics would all be interesting) concurrently in a way that would be attractive to industry employers?

Take other courses, or buy books on amazon. Read stuff.

Also it's a hard question, because employers don't know what they want. I *couldn't* have prepared for my current job because my current job didn't exist when I got my Ph.D. So it was a matter of just getting good at math and computers, and then I found something interesting.

The problem is that I can tell you want employers want in 2011. I can't tell you what the desirable skills will be in 2020 or even 2013. Also employers are really fickle. What will get you hired in 2010 will get you fired in 2012.

One other thing is that employers want sheep that work for nothing, and who they can through away if it gets too inconvenient for them. Sometimes you don't want to make yourself attractive to an employer.

I am OKAY with starting my career at an entry level job if I decide to leave astrophysics.

For me, it's not a matter of leaving astrophysics, but rather taking a detour. I don't think I can leave astrophysics, and I certainly don't want to.

 

[Opus_723]

Sorry, I wasn't clear about the research. I meant that ideally, I'd like to settle down in a career in research, as opposed to getting stuck hopping from postdoc to postdoc around the country like I've read about on this forum.

Thanks for the advice. I guess it should have been obvious that the market could be quite different in the future. I've just been getting nervous reading about how impossible it is to get work as an astrophysicist, and I was wondering what I should do to mitigate any damage there. Even so, I can't convince myself not to go for it. I just want to be as prepared as possible.