Careers By Major- Astronomy

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.

Sample Occupation and Jobs
Program-Related Skills/ Skills Employers Value
1. Further Exploration & Assistance: Develop Skills
Explore Careers & Build Networks
Get Experience
1. On-Campus
2. Off-Campus
Useful Resources & Next Steps

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs

“What can I do with my degree” and “How do I assess which job or career area will be a good fit for me” are questions that many university students ask themselves at various points during their time at university. Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs that graduates of this program can consider. The list provided is intended to give students ideas of the many possible directions and career areas they can further research and explore.

1a. Sample Occupations

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some positions require further education and experience.

Acoustic emissions technician
Acoustical physics
Aerospace engineer*
Air traffic controller*
Ariel survey flight supervisor
Artificial intelligence developer
Assistant research officer
Astronomer*
Astronaut*
Astrophysicist
Atmospheric scientist
Avionics instrument mechanic
Biomedical engineer*
Biophysicist
Chemical physicist
Chemical technologist
Chemist*
Climate service specialist
Climatologist*
Computer engineer
Computer programmer*
Computer software engineer*
Condensed matter research
Cosmologist
Data analyst
Database administrator
Electrical equipment specialist
Electrical engineer*
Embedded software developer
Engineering and natural sciences manager
Environmental physicist
Environmental scientist
Equipment designer
Exploration geophysicist
Flight management analyst
Geophysicist
Health physicist
Hydrologist*
Information specialist
Instrument designer
Investment analyst
Laboratory technician
Logistics specialist*
Market research analyst*
Technical writer*
Telescope engineer
Ultrasound technician
X-Ray technologist

Materials/metallurgical engineer*
Mathematician*
Meteorologist*
Military engineer*
Military officer*
Molecular physicist
Museum exhibits planner
Nanotechnologist
Natural and applied sciences consultant
Navigation equipment specialist
Nuclear medicine technologist*
Nuclear physicist
Operations research analyst*
Optical physicist
Optical technician
Particle physicist
Photodynamic therapist
Photon scientist
Physicist*
Planetarium guide/lecturer
Plasma deposition scientist
Professor*
IT Project manager*
Public relations specialist for space agencies/manufacturers
Quality controller*
Radar indicator inspector
Radiation monitor
Radiation therapist*
Radiographer
Radiologist*
Researcher*
Robotics technician
Sales representative*
Science journalist
Scientist*
Scientific photographer
Seismologist
Space program manager
Space vision technologist
Computer programmer*
Sound engineer
Special librarian: science
System support representative
Systems analyst
Teacher*
Technical sales representative*
Computer Software Engineer*

* View these titles at Career Cruising, available on CLNx under the Resources tab.

i. Further Exploration & Assistance: Get clear on your degree options

Are you feeling unclear about what you can do with your degree, what jobs you can pursue? Exploring career areas of interest and evaluating options using information gathered about the career and self-knowledge helps students answer the questions posed above.

Check out some action steps you can take below:

1. Book a Career Counselling Appointment

2. Do more research on sample occupations of interest through Career Cruising or explore careers through the Job Shadow Program.

3. Use the self-assessment Know Yourself online modules in Quercus

1b. Sample Job Listings

Below is a sample of previous jobs.

The sample jobs were found in the job postings and previous jobs on the CLNx. Using both of these resources will provide ideas of where the jobs are or have been.

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

The following is a list of areas where graduates from this program typically look for career opportunities. These sectors in the labour market can be explored to identify the businesses and organizations within these areas and to learn about the breadth of opportunities that can be found here. In your research, look for factors influencing these sectors, and how this relates to the broader economy – if there is growth in these areas, then there may also be interesting work opportunities.

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 service

i. Further Exploration & Assistance: Areas of Employment

Are you looking to find work and curious about what areas of employment and industries you can work for?

Check out some action steps below:

Book an employment strategist appointment
Do more research on organizations you are interested in through the Organizational Profiles
Create a LinkedIn profile and connect with those in industries of interest

1d. Recruitment

General Recruitment Tips:

Networking is key to accessing and landing opportunities
Keep in mind alumni are contacted quite often for coffee chats from students so be mindful of their time
With the first point of interaction usually being email, choose your words carefully; email carries a lot of weight when someone is deciding what to think of you
For most summer roles, they typically do their hiring for summer internships in early spring
Demonstrate an interest and passion for astronomy; An interest in a long-term career in astronomy

i. Further Exploration & Assistance: Get Connected

Want to learn more about how these industries recruit and how to get started in this industry?

1. Book an employment strategist appointment.

2. Attend fairs, networking events, Informational interviews, connect with a professional associations in your industry

3. Review Industry reports, Career profile packages

4. Explore Additional Web Resources

2. Program-Related Skills/ Skills Employers Value

Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills.

Problem-solving
Communication
Research
Computational

i. Further Exploration & Assistance: Develop Skills

1. Book an Employment Strategist or Career Counselling appointment to learn how to better translate your skills to employers

2. Skills Employers value

3. Program Plans: a resource where students plan their university experience while building and gaining skills

4. Skills articulation module

3. Explore Careers & Build Networks

Review the opportunities indicated in section 3 and 4 to get a snapshot of opportunities you can partake in regarding building experiences and building a network.

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 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 CLNx 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

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement. Some organizations you may consider are:

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in the fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions, and more. Need help? Come into 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:

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; go to the co-curricular database to find out how you can get involved

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 Centre for Student Engagement.

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 & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx) 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

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 CLNx 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

This section provides additional resources to further your exploration and research regarding potential careers and industries you may be interested in.

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

Updated October 2022