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Should I take up astronomy

I have been thinking about joining the STEM community through Astronomy and Physics as a future career. From what I have heard It is a very competitive and difficult career to get. Being a scientist has been a recurring passion. It wasn't until a few days ago I have actually considered taking it up as a career. I have been doing lots of research about taking it up as a job, I even have asked some experts online about it. But then i got one response that said “if you are asking this question then you are probably not perfect for the job.” I have been debating with myself if this is a true statement. I have never been great at math even though i find some parts of it interesting, and I haven’t took physics yet. I feel like if I told people that knew me that I want to take this career they would laugh and tell me that there is no way I would succeed. I noticed when I am interested in something school related i do very well in it. Overall I just need to know if it is worth the effort trying to achieve a goal that seems impossible for a person like me.

- Owen T

#career #college #astronomy #career-counseling #STEM #physics

career-counseling stem physics astronomy
Thank you comment icon Hey Owen, I'm currently a physics major in my third year of college. I knew since seventh grade that I wanted to go into physics, so I can understand how wanting to follow that passion is important to you. I hadn't really considered astronomy until recently when I participated in a summer program in astronomy, it altered my perspective on which path I want to follow in the field. I have since reached out to professors to gain their insight and search for additional opportunities to figure out what I am truly passionate about, whether that's astronomy or something else within the field of physics. Alex Butler
Thank you comment icon My advice would be to reach out to mentors, teachers, and professors to find as many opportunities as you can. Getting involved is the only way to know for sure whether this is something you truly want to do. Of course, it is challenging, and I have experienced some doubt towards my capabilities, but at the same time, if it's something you are passionate about, that passion will help you persevere through challenging moments. It is better to follow your interests than to traverse through your academic studies only wishing you were doing something different. Alex Butler
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Yasemin’s Answer

Hi Owen! I'm sorry about the reply you received, but I wouldn't think too much of it because if you are truly passionate about you should definitely go for it! I have also been told that medicine may not be right for me, but I didn't give up and am still continuing on my path. It may be competitive but if you are hard working and passionate then you can be successful! Don't give up! Check out Astronomy and Physics programs in college and see if you could also get some experience to make sure you feel this is right for you. Also, sometimes people will tell us that we can't do something, but it is actually their own fear of failure.

I wish you the best!
Thank you comment icon Thank you. This helps a lot :) Owen
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! Yasemin G.
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Andrew’s Answer

It is important and admirable to have a passion. If you are passionate and determined in your goal to be a scientist -- a physicist or an astronomer/astrophysicist, it is necessary to map out a viable path to achieve it. Mathematics is the language of science, especially physical science. Therefore, competency in mathematics is a must in your situation.

There are always naysayers around you, and you should not be distracted by them from pursuing your passion. Instead, you should make effort to prepare yourself for the upcoming challenge: to be good in mathematics as a prerequisite for the pursuit of a degree in physics. Astronomy and astrophysics are specialties in physics.

Mathematics is a language just like any other foreign languages. Of course, mathematics is a logical, precise, concise, and most unforgiving language. However, with perseverance and hard work, mathematics is not an insurmountable mountain to climb. It is a matter of how badly you want to achieve your goal.

We should not sell ourselves short. It may take hard work and sacrifice to achieve our goal. By the way, even if we cannot reach our original goal, the effort made towards it will not be lost. You will have gotten yourself a long way further than what it would have been had you not tried.

In spite of my latest appointment as Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, all my degrees are in physics. Physics is an exciting field, and you will find rewarding career in it.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for this. This helps me alot. Owen
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Michael’s Answer

If you are really interested in it, then go for it. Put yourself into it and you will find the right path for you. I have had the opportunity to observe people who have pursued their passions and they wind up using what they have learned in any pursuit. As an example,I know people who have pursued science and astronomy and realized that they also love to write so they then become science writers. I am not saying that is your path. There are no guarantees for success but your attitude to learn and take what you have and adapt in a way that work for you is the key!
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