Many of us have dreamed about landing a job related to space exploration since childhood. However, the only option many can think of is to become an astronaut. For many decades, it has been the most well-known path, but things have changed a lot since then.
Today, thanks to the growing commitment of NASA, as well as private companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX to discovering space, the job opportunities in this sector expand. Now, there is a whole universe of options for those who dream about contributing to exploring outer space.
Today, there is a need for a large number of specialists with varying skill sets. In this article, we will tell you about some careers students can consider already now!
Jobs in Media and Communications
If you are a student looking for career options in the space field, let’s start with the fun ones. Not many realize this, but media and communications workers play a significant role in this industry. They serve as a link between space workers and the public, stressing the importance of projects and conveying information.
Here are some of the most in-demand and well-paying options to consider.
- Public relations specialist
This is one of the most exciting options as it puts you right in the epicenter of events. The core task of public relations workers is to keep the public updated on the latest discoveries, projects, and activities. This occupation requires being proactive and often implies sharing information through various channels (e.g. blogs, social media, news, etc.), so it will also require you to be a good speaker.
This might be one of the easiest careers to pursue in this field. It doesn’t require prior work experience and can be landed with only a high school diploma or equivalent. Thus, if you are a passionate and skilled photographer, this is an option to consider. But, don’t get your hopes too high for getting a photographer job. Those breathtaking pictures of space are taken by cameras placed on the spacecraft or by astronauts. Photographers are responsible for shooting different phases of projects and they work on earth.
- Technical writer
One more career option for those who are not technicians, engineers, or scientists is technical writing. In a nutshell, their role is to collaborate with scientists and present complex data gained from them in a written form in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Thus, if you are an experienced essay writer with a love for challenging tasks, be sure to consider this option.
Finally, one more exciting option for students to consider is becoming a producer. Producers or directors are responsible for the production of educational videos and all related creative decisions. This job requires having a BA degree and no or less than 5 years of experience in a similar position.
Jobs for Scientists
Exploring space is really about facing the unknown and finding answers. That’s exactly what scientists who specialize in this industry do – they search for answers. Their job is to help us understand our universe better.
Here are a few most popular options for scientists that are worth considering.
This is one of the most advanced career options. These specialists are responsible for observing all types of objects within the universe, including stars, galaxies, and planets to find the answers to some questions. Unlike other specialists, astronomers are required to possess a Ph.D. degree and thorough knowledge. Thus, if you are considering this option, but can’t boast of excellent academic performance, you may want to get some extra help, for example, at essay writing service EssayPro.com, to take your studies to the next level.
- Plasma physicist
As you can get from the name, these specialists are responsible for studying plasmas. The core goals of their research are to help us gain a better understanding of our universe and also the interaction between the Sun and Earth. This is another job that requires a Doctoral degree.
- Atmospheric scientist
If you want to get a well-paying and in-demand job as a scientist, but don’t want to pursue a Ph.D., you can consider becoming an atmospheric scientist. These specialists are responsible for studying different atmospheric conditions and phenomena to better understand climate and weather patterns, causes, and effects.
Jobs for Engineers and Technicians
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected number of job openings for space technicians and engineers between 2014 and 2024 will reach 216,300 (though the biggest part is taken by engineering jobs). Thus, in fact, the demand for such specialists is even higher compared to scientists (8,600 job openings projected by BLS) or media and communications workers (145,800).
Here are some of the options you should consider if you are a tech or engineering student.
- Aerospace engineer
These engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and testing of spacecraft, aircraft, and missiles.
- Aerospace engineering technician
These technicians help engineers design, develop, and test missiles, aircraft, etc.
- Mechanical engineer
Responsible for creating various products needed to support missions (e.g. engines, sensors, etc.).
- Avionics technician
These technicians ensure stable and proper work of the navigation, communication, and other systems used at the aircraft and spacecraft.
Pro Tip: Though engineering jobs are more in-demand, they are also more demanding to candidates. Most often, you will need a relevant BA degree to land a job and a good academic performance. But, you can always buy essay online to boost your grades and have higher chances of landing a job in the future.
The Bottom Line
Pursuing space careers can be very exciting. Not only jobs in this sector are in high demand and pay well, but they also give specialists an opportunity to do work that really matters from a global perspective.
Luckily for those students who are looking for job opportunities in this sector, the range of options is huge. There are many different occupations that require different levels of education, skills, and mindsets. So, pretty much anyone can find a few options to consider.
Hopefully, this article will help you choose a path that works best for you. Here, we discussed some of the best options worth considering. The rest is on you. Weigh all the pros and cons and pursue your dream!