Career Research Paper - Elena Robertson

Robertson 1 Elena Robertson Ms. Amanda Tibbits Language Arts 12 8 March 2019 Astrophysics: A Career Research Paper Space has fascinated me my entire life. I’ve been driven by a strong desire to know for myself how it works, not merely accept what others tell me is true. Astrophysics is the career path that will allow this. I will be able to study the why and conduct my own research. My dream has been to work for the astrophysics department of NASA. This research paper will discuss some further information I have found concerning this career. It will include information on what astrophysicists study and do in the workplace, career opportunities, the demand for highly trained individuals in this field, and the gender gap. Astrophysics is not just a general study of space. Ariel Balter defines astrophysics as the study of small to medium-sized structures in the universe. Because there are so many different things that fall in this category, it is a broad field made up of many studies. This is what sets astrophysics apart from other space studies and gives us a better idea of what exactly astrophysicists study. NASA isn’t the only place where astrophysicists conduct their research. The article “What is Astrophysics?” states, “Astrophysicists can work for the government, university labs and, occasionally, private organizations.”​ ​There are many different opportunities for astrophysicists. You can tailor where you live and work according to what you want to do. With a knowledge of astrophysics, you can take up a wide variety of careers that may differ greatly.

Robertson 2 You have a lot of freedom in deciding how you want to spend your time. Astrophysicists may work as professors. According to the article “Making stellar connections”, some astrophysics work is done at universities.​ ​Some astrophysicists give lectures as professors while continuing to perform research at the university. This opens up many opportunities for placement, including here in Utah. Utah State University and Brigham Young University are just two examples of Utah schools with astronomy and physics departments. We can see that there are many more workplaces than just NASA. However, NASA is still an amazing opportunity for astrophysicists and offers different responsibilities. NASA’s Anne Kinney spends her time managing missions by “finding and fixing things going wrong, taking advantage of things going right, and staying on budget” (Schomaker). Although it might seem like they only perform research, there are many different things astrophysicists can do, like managing missions. They must be flexible, be able to communicate, and be able to pick up on skills quickly if they don’t already have them. Communication and being able to work in a team is absolutely crucial. Research is often done with large groups (Clouston).​ ​This means astrophysicists have to be willing to communicate and work with others. Research is often a group effort rather than individual. It is important to realize that you must be able to work with others, recognize your individual responsibility, and communicate effectively with others. In addition to communication skills, an astrophysicist must have math skills. Suzie Sheehy’s article brings up the importance of math in the field. Math is an essential part of physics and therefore used every day. A student should be aware of the need for math before they decide to go into this field. You have to be proficient in math to get the job done, but you

Robertson 3 must enjoy math to excel. Not all work is done in an observatory. Dr. Katie Mack explains how some work is done in a lab with data while other work is theoretical. Astrophysicists may appear similar to astronomers, who are frequently in an observatory. However, only some work is spent in a lab or an observatory. Some astrophysicists may use previously observed and recorded data to form theories and tests, others perform theoretical work. This information is important to those considering astrophysics but who like to be working with their hands. Most of your time is not spent observing. Astrophysics is a mix of excitement and boredom. Anne Kinney admits that the career is difficult and boring at times but rewarding when you achieve things. The career involves boring tasks that require much thought and study. However, a true desire to learn and a love for astrophysics will bring the feeling of achievement that can carry you through the boring times. Careers are opening up in astrophysics often. The article “Physicists and Astronomers” states that outlook is faster than average.​ ​This means that jobs are opening up at a greater rate than most other careers. This is an estimate that there will continue to be higher demand for astrophysicists in the future. This matters because it shows there is a need and a want for more astrophysicists, so the study is worth the effort. An astrophysicist will be in school for a very long time. According to Tamara Davis, you must get a Ph.D.​ ​This means many years of schooling is required. Astrophysicists are highly trained and educated people. This is not a career you can jump into on a whim. It takes years of dedication and preparation. This matters because it means you have to be dedicated and truly love astrophysics to get a career.

Robertson 4 Physics is a very male-dominated career. Kyle Plantz declares that physics is a field with one of the greatest gender gaps.​ ​This means that the difference between men and women in physics is greater than in most other careers. Few women are going into astrophysics. A woman astrophysicist must be willing to be different and work hard to make herself heard. Unlike other careers, the gender gap remains large for physics. According to Plantz, the rate at which females in physics is growing is among the slowest of all industries. This means that the gender gap is decreasing very slowly in physics. There continues to be a large difference between men and women, and so few women enter the field that this difference changes very slowly. This implies that the gender gap won’t change for a long time. Either women must be comfortable in a male-dominated career or they must find a way to change public views of scientific careers like astrophysics. Although the gender gap is extremely prevalent in astrophysics as a career, there is much more equality in academics. According to NASA’s Anne Kinney, there are just as many women graduating with degrees as men, but fewer go into the field because it is a very difficult career to balance with raising a family.​ ​This means that women are as interested in this field as men, but because of other priorities in life they may be unable to pursue a career. Because post-doc work is difficult, with long hours and lots of moving around, women don’t go into astrophysics so they can spend time raising a family. This hints at the true cause of the gender gap. Women are interested in STEM, and in astrophysics specifically, but they often don’t pursue it because of traditional family values and desires. This shows that women do enjoy astrophysics. It also shows, however, that it can be extra difficult to start this career path as a mother with a family. If fewer women go into the field than study it, we can interpret that it means they are being held

Robertson 5 back by other values or interests. Despite the long and difficult hours that prevent some from pursuing a family, some astrophysicists are also mothers. It is possible to have a career in astronomy and still have a family (Grossman).​ ​This means that if you are willing to manage your time and make a family a priority, it is possible to be a mother and an astrophysicist. This matters so much because this is one way the gender gap can close. Also, it is of utmost importance to me personally because being a mother comes before anything else to me, and I don’t want to sacrifice astrophysics if I don’t have to. The most important thing I learned from my research is that astrophysics focuses on theories of smaller objects in the universe. Before performing this research, I was unsure of whether I wanted to study astronomy, astrophysics, or cosmology. Now I have reaffirmed that astrophysics is the most appealing option for me. My research has shown me that astrophysics takes a lot of work and time but that discoveries make it worth it. This both scares and comforts me. I have also learned that some people can balance having a family and working in this career, while others find it to be too difficult. This makes me unsure of whether I will be able to or not, but hearing experiences of those who become mothers while working has comforted me. My research has made me more confident that astrophysics is what I want to go into because of these reasons. A few things I didn’t learn were exact workplace duties and hours, as well as specific job opportunities in Utah. After research, a question in my mind is how exactly some women were able to have children while working.

Robertson 6 Works Cited Balter, Ariel. “What Is Astrophysics?” Space.com, Future Publishing Limited Quay House, 22 Dec. 2017, www.space.com/26218-astrophysics.html. Clouston, David. “Salinan Enjoys Role as a ‘Planet Hunter.’” Salina Journal, The (KS), 19 Oct. 2010. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=2W61425233328&site=eho st-live. Davis, Tamara. “A Perspective from Professor Tamara Davis, VC Research and Teaching Fellow.” School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, 4 Jan. 2018, smp.uq.edu.au/research/astrophysics/study/careers-astrophysics. Grossman, Lisa. “Cool Job: Making Stellar Connections: Astrophysicist Paula Jofré Reaches across Disciplines to Link Stars across the Galaxy.” Science News for Students, Oct. 2018, p. 1. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=132360820&site=ehost-live . “Physicists and Astronomers : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 July 2018, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/mobile/physicists-and-astronomers.ht m. Plantz, Kyle. “Women Are Closing the Participation Gap in Science, but Slowly.” Science News for Students, Society for Science and the Public, 12 June 2018, www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/women-are-closing-participation-gap-science-sl

Robertson 7 owly. Schomaker, William. “NASA’s Visionary.” Astronomy, vol. 33, no. 1, Jan. 2005, p. 48. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mat&AN=15227439&site=ehost-live. Sheehy, Suzie. “The Real Deal: Dr. Katie Mack, Cosmologist.” High Heels in the Lab, 27 Jan. 2014, highheelsinthelab.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-real-deal-katie-mack-cosmologist.html.