What Can I Do With a Major In Astrophysics?
UGA Specific Information for Astrophysics
The Astrophysics major combines the fundamental study of physics with observational astronomy and astrophysics. Emphasis is placed on applying theory to current astronomical and astrophysical problems and on individual research. Career opportunities include employment in private and government laboratories, university teaching, planetaria, the armed forces, or secondary school teaching. Possible graduate programs include astrophysics/astronomy, physics, science education, engineering, data science, applied math, and many others, including medical school and law school.
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Astrophysics*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- Virtual career consultant appointments can be scheduled through Handshake or by calling 706-542-3375. Once scheduled, your Career Consultant will send you a virtual meeting invitation via Zoom.
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations
UGA Mentor Program: Networking with your Bulldog family can help you get ahead in life and career, but where do you even start? The UGA Mentor Program narrows down the world of possibilities to meaningful connections. It personalizes the mentoring experience, connecting you with mentors that are just right for your commitment. There's a better way to network. Visit mentor.uga.edu today and find a mentor who can help you see your future.
Find alumni on LinkedIn who have graduated from UGA with their Astrophysics degree. See what they are currently doing and how they got there! Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.
Researching Careers: Regardless of the career that you desire to pursue, talking with professionals in that field is essential and can help validate your decisions. Use the Informational Interview guidelines in the UGA Career Guide to learn more about how to connect with individuals in your areas of interest.
Graduate School: If you are interested in going to graduate school, check out these Getting Into Graduate School resources on the UGA Career Center’s website. For additional graduate school help, meet with your Career Consultant at the UGA Career Center.
Supplemental Career Research Dashboard
Additional Career Research Resources
O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.
My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.
Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.
Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.
Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.
UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.
Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance.
Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.
Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.
Employment Websites
GENERAL:
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Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)
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LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!)
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Idealist (non-profit jobs)
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USAJobs (federal jobs)
MAJOR/CAREER SPECIFIC:
- Job Boards and Career Resources (Compiled by the UGA Department of Physics and Astronomy)
- The American Astronomical Society
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory
- American Physical Society Careers/Employment Information
- PhysNet
- Physics Today
- USAJobs.gov
Professional Associations/Resources
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Astrophysics majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Employer | Position Title(s) |
|---|---|
| MartinFed | Scientist/Engineer II | RK&K | Water Resources Engineer | Science Guyz, LLC | Physics Resource Developer |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Astrophysics majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Graduate School | Program(s) |
|---|---|
| University of Georgia | Physics, Degree Not Specified | University of Oxford | Science and Statistics, MS |