Also called: Astrophysics Professor
Teaches astronomy at a college and leads research on stars, galaxies or planets.
You teach a big intro class on the solar system in the morning, meet with grad students about telescope data at lunch, and write a grant proposal in the afternoon. A few nights a year you travel to a mountaintop observatory.
Doctorate (PhD), about 11 years after high school. PhD in astronomy or physics, usually followed by postdoc research.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Astronomy, Physics, Astrophysics.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Postsecondary physics teachers; tenure-track jobs are competitive.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps grading and grant drafts; teaching, mentoring and leading research stay human.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, Speech.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-1054.
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