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Laila
Student
Roseau, Minnesota
3
Questions
Updated
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I want to become an astronomer. What kinds of high school courses would look good to a college, and what do future jobs look at when hiring?
I am 16 years old, and I love anything to do with space and physics. I really want a career in the area.
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1 answer
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
258
Answers
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Andrew’s Answer
We do not have a crystal ball to predict future employment trends. For your case, it will probably a decade grom now. Hence, it is premature to worry about it now.
Furthermore, it is more important to find out what your passion is. Your passion will propel whatever you engage in. If your passion is in astronomy, you will do well along the path to fulfill your dream.
On the practical side, if you want to be an astronomer or space scientist, you will basically need an undergraduate degree in physics. Some colleges may even offer an undergraduate degree in astronomy. Your job now is to prepare for your future undergraduate education in high school by taking appropriate courses.
If you have not completed Algebra I and Algebra II, please do so as soon as possible. Then, you should take AP College Algebra, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC, if possible. An AP Physics course would be greatly beneficial for your preparation too. College admission administrators would look upon your application favorably with all those courses.
Lastly, it will be over a decade when you face real world employment. Be flexible. Even if you do not manage to land on your dream job on a straight path, you should be amendable to even a more circuitous path.
Furthermore, it is more important to find out what your passion is. Your passion will propel whatever you engage in. If your passion is in astronomy, you will do well along the path to fulfill your dream.
On the practical side, if you want to be an astronomer or space scientist, you will basically need an undergraduate degree in physics. Some colleges may even offer an undergraduate degree in astronomy. Your job now is to prepare for your future undergraduate education in high school by taking appropriate courses.
If you have not completed Algebra I and Algebra II, please do so as soon as possible. Then, you should take AP College Algebra, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC, if possible. An AP Physics course would be greatly beneficial for your preparation too. College admission administrators would look upon your application favorably with all those courses.
Lastly, it will be over a decade when you face real world employment. Be flexible. Even if you do not manage to land on your dream job on a straight path, you should be amendable to even a more circuitous path.