Career Options for the Youth

Alternative Careers | December 8, 2011 | Share

A look at the mysterious world of cosmology, astronomy and space exploration

All of us, in our childhood would have aspired to do great things and cherish dreams of attaining different goals. However freakish, innocent ambitions we nurtured as a tiny toddler soon disappear as we begin to grow up. Faced with parental expectations, family pressure, peer pressure, the need of financial and social security and similar challenges, one is often left with picking up just another run-of-the-mill career choice.

Are these options limited to a handful such as Engineering or Medicine for Science students… B.Com, M.Com, BBS, CA, CS etc for commerce students and BA, MA etc for arts students?

It’s rightly said that the world is as vast as our eyes can explore. An individuals blindly follow the masses fail to look beyond the regular options. But only an explorer can realize that the world is full of career choices and opportunities! Here, I would look to talk about a career option related to Sciences that would seem equally alluring to a geek, a philosopher, or a nature lover-‘The choice of picking up cosmology/astronomy” as one’s career choice!

Key skills and making the start!

A career in Cosmology is for those who are in love in heavenly bodies, for those who are curious enough to go after the laws of physics behind universal phenomenon, for those who are passionate about astronomy and for those who simply can’t resist exploring the universe. But a word of caution! A career in cosmology, astronomy and space exploration is not rewarding as some of the conventional careers. As a beginner, one needs to put in dedicated efforts without the expectation of earning quick bucks or a shortcut to fame overnight.

So let’s take a microscopic view of what it takes to be among the stars and galaxies from the very scratch. Cosmology, astronomy and space exploration are all related with astrophysics. Hence one needs to opt for Science stream during schooling and perform academically well with special emphasis on subjects like Physics and Maths. After all it’s the laws of physics and the rules of maths that govern all universal motion!

Satisfying Qualification needs/Institutes/Entrance exams:

The career demands the qualification of a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering in physics or engineering subjects. But a mere degree qualification is not enough, one needs to have an inquisitive aptitude, the ability to find complex answers, programming skills, patience to peruse long research projects and supreme dedication to work. To proceed further, one can prepare for competitive exams like related to this field like JEST (JOINT ENTRANCE SCREENING TEST), a window for admission to PHD. Programs in physics, in the participating institutes. All prominent research institutes in India have made JEST, an admission criterion for the aspirants.

Branches, Work Domain, Salary Structure:

There are different fields of astronomy/cosmology. Remember every astronomer wouldn’t be fortunate enough to be a Neil Armstrong and get to fly in outer space. This career has different bifurcating branches such as being involved in theoretical research projects, or as a part of instrument building team or working at an observatory or space research center etc. The typical salary structure in this field ranges from 15000INR for beginner to 40,000 INR for intermediates. An average ISRO scientist gets 20,000 INR. However involvements in Research projects and with experience, there is steep rise in pay-bands. And of course, who knows you might make a breath-taking discovery and become a millionaire overnight!

Future Prospects, Pros and Cons:

The most lucrative benefits are to be able to work with some of the prestigious space research institutes like the ISRO and work along with many bright, innovative minds.

The cons include challenges like cracking tough competitive exams, need of devoting time to build inter-relationship contacts with other aspirants through various astronomical clubs such as the ‘Amateur Astronomical Club’ in Bangalore etc. And the obvious lack of income and fame in this career particularly as a beginner.

The world of Cosmos is bombarded with unresolved mysteries. The planet needs passionate research scientists to unravel these mysteries! See if you have it in you!

Rohit Kumar Singh