This program is offered through the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.
Table of Contents
1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
1a. Sample Occupations
1b. Sample Job Listings
1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
4a. On-Campus
4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.
1a. Sample Occupations
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.
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1b. Sample Job Listings
Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs.
- Configuration Management Technologist, MDA
- Science Educator, Ontario Science Centre
- Frame Work Developer, NexJ Systems
- Computational Flow Physics Software Developer, Virtualwind Inc.
- Optical Engineering Apprentice, Xiris Automation
- Scientific and Technical Writer, RDP Associates
- Optical Designer, Sciencetech Inc.
- Research Associate - Mechanical Metrology, National Research Council Canada
- Research Assistant, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Quality Assurance Engineer, Sandvine
- Molecular Scientist, Public Health Ontario
- Automation Systems Engineer, Grantek Systems Integration
- Researcher-Programmer - Astronomy and Space Sciences, Ontario Science Centre
- Environmental, Ecological and Outdoor Education Specialist, DAY Communications
- 3D Metal Printing Application/Development Engineer, Promation
1c. Sample Areas of Employment
- Aerospace industry, airports
- Colleges/universities/boards of education
- Communications technology industry
- Energy development companies e.g. wind, fusion
- Governments
- Hospitals and medical centres
- Information technology industry
- Laboratories
- Libraries
- Medical imaging industry
- Scientific instrumentation manufacturing companies
- Military
- Museums
- Observatories
- Petrochemical companies
- Planetariums, national/provincial parks
- Newspapers and magazines
- Research centres
- Space industry
- Weather forecasting services
2. Program-Related Skills
Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.
- Problem-solving: analyze data and interpret observations and see relationships among factors.
- Communication: explain complex concepts and theories to others and clearly explain scientific research and write reports.
- Research: define a problem; establish hypotheses; apply and integrate fundamental scientific principles; gather scientific data; and review scientific literature.
- Computational: measure distances and sizes; perform complex calculations; and interpret images.
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
Career Exploration 101
Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:
Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.
Alumni Profiles
Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.
Events
Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies, and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.
Talk to Professors
Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering, or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.
Student Organizations
Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Student Organization Portal. Some organizations you may consider:
- Erindale Society of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- Mathematical and Computational Sciences Society
- Women in Tech
Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions, and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.
Professional Associations
There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings, and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:
- Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA)
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC)
- Astronomy and Space Exploration Society (ASX)
- NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- The Canadian National Committee of the International Union of Radio Science
- CADC: Canadian Astronomy Data Centre
4. Get Experience
Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.
4a. On-Campus
On-Campus Opportunities Booklet
Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.
Work Study Positions
The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.
Part Time and Volunteer Positions
- Attend the annual Get Experience Fair
- Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
- Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document
Student Organizations
Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Student Organization Portal.
4b. Off-Campus
Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions
- Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
- Login to Career Learning Network (CLN) and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to UofT students
- Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
- Consider taking an academic internship course through your department
- Check out Government of Ontario - Job Programs for Youth
- Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs, and Summer Job Search tip sheets
Full Time Positions
- Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the 'Learn to Network' workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
- Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
- Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
- Check out our list of industry-specific job boards
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
Career Resource Library
The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.
Appointments
- Attend a one-on-one appointment with a career counsellor or an employment strategist to discuss what career options might work for you and determine a job search plan.
- Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.
Career Planning by Year
Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.
Additional Web Resources
- Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics - Events
- Astronomy Magazine
- Space Industry Directory
- Science@NASA
- Canada's Top 100 Employers for Young People
- Gale - Astronomy
Updated July 2023