Research Guides: Astronomy: Career Resources

Astronomy Careers

From the U.S. Bureau of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook online, find out about required education, training, credentials, job duties, work environment, salary range, job outlook, and more for each of the astronomy-related careers listed below:

From O*Net OnLine, find detailed information about chemistry-based careers, from detailed job tasks to required education, training, and skills.

Information Sources

AAS Career Resources
The American Astronomical Society offers numerous career resources to its members, including webinars and workshops, one-on-one career consultations, job-hunting help, and career networking.
A New Universe to Discover: A Guide to Careers in Astronomy
Brochure published by the American Astronomy Society.
SPS Career Resources
Compiled by members of the Society of Physics Students, this site provides access to information on navigating career options, the application and hiring process, and advice articles written by SPS members and advisors.
SPS Careers Toolbox
An invaluable set of nine tools for undergraduate physics students entering the workforce after graduation.

Job Sites

General Career Resources

Career Guide to Industries
Provides information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and advancement, earnings and benefits, employment outlook. 2010-2011 edition
Career OneStop
From the U.S. Department of Labor, provides a wide variety of information and tools.
Career Outlook
Provides data and information on a variety of topics—including occupations and industries, pay and benefits, and more. These articles are helpful for students, career counselors, jobseekers, and others planning careers.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Excellent resource for researching careers. Includes information about required education and training, job duties, work environment, salary, job outlook, similar occupations, and more.
Texas Workforce Commission
Contains great information for for career exploration, job seekers,and students.
Texas Workforce Commission - Career Exploration and Trends
Broken out of the Texas Workforce Commission site above, tools allow you to explore careers, compare careers and expenses, and match skills with careers.

Career Center Plus™ This link opens in a new window
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Combines everything you need for a successful job search into one easy-to-use online application. First-time users are required to create a personal account.
LearningExpress Library™ This link opens in a new window
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eLearning solution that provides support to students and professionals for academic skill-building, standardized test prep, career certification test prep and more.
O*Net OnLine This link opens in a new window
Provides broad access to information on skills, abilities, knowledges, work activities, and interests associated with almost 1,000 occupations covering the entire U.S. economy. Job seekers can use the available key features to find out which jobs fit with their interests, skills, and experience; explore growth career profiles using the latest available labor market data; maximize earning potential and job satisfaction.
Vocational & Career Collection This link opens in a new window
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Designed to meet a wide variety of vocational and technical research needs, this database provides full-text coverage for 337 trade and industry related periodicals.

Professional Organizations

American Astronautical Society (AAS)
Independent scientific and technical group in the United States dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration.
American Astronomical Society (AAS)
The major organization of professional astronomers in North America.
Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO)
International scientific and educational organization devoted to study the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets.
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)
Consortium of universities and other institutions that operates astronomical observatories and telescopes.
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)
American scientific and educational non-profit organization with members from over 40 countries.
International Astronomical Union (IAU)
International association of professional astronomers, active in professional research and education in astronomy. Also the only internationally recognized and accepted commission set up to record, change, and document the naming of all known astronomical bodies.
International Astrostatistics Association (IAA)
Non-profit professional organization for astrostatisticians. Astrostatistics as a discipline is composed of astrophysicists, statisticians, and those in computer information sciences who have an interest in the statistical analysis and data mining of astronomical data.
National Space Society (NSS)
American international nonprofit, educational and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy.
The Planetary Society
American internationally active, non-governmental, nonprofit organization involved in research, public outreach, and political space advocacy for engineering projects related to astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration.
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)
International student organization whose purpose is to promote space exploration and development through educational and engineering projects.