Head in the stars? How to land a job in space
Space is cooler than you think!
It's not just rockets and aliens; it’s about tech that powers your phone, helps you chat with friends, and even stops natural disasters.
Did you know space inventions make our everyday life better? Yep, things like super batteries and shiny solar panels were first designed for space missions. Nowadays, these inventions help us with everyday stuff, like charging our gadgets and soaking up the sun’s energy.
Now, let’s talk about how space helps us fix big problems on Earth. Imagine having a superhero friend high up in the sky, keeping an eye on everything. That’s what Earth observation satellites do. They watch over the Earth, helping us know about things like weather changes and natural disasters. So when something not-so-great happens, we can be ready to face it.
Space is not just about serious stuff; it also involves exploring planets, studying stars, and learning more about the universe. There are so many different aspects to a career in space.
Think you can't be part of it? Wrong! You can be a space explorer, design mind-blowing space art, or even plan life-changing space missions. The universe is your playground, so get ready to launch your dream career.
What types of space careers are there?
Let’s just clarify something: to start a career in space, you don't have to be a genius; you just need to be curious and love learning new things. When we think of space, we often think of astronauts or rocket scientists, but there are many other careers to explore. We can’t talk about them all in this article, as there are so many, but here are a few you might not have thought of.
For starters, you can be a space scientist. They study planets, stars, and all the amazing things happening in space. To get you on the road to becoming a space scientist, you can read lots of books about space, join space clubs, and maybe even go to space events or space camps where you can meet other space enthusiasts.
If you like making things, being a space engineer might be your thing. Space engineers build rockets, satellites, and other space machinery. They learn how things work and figure out new ways to make space missions even more successful. If you’re interested in being a space engineer, you can study engineering and science at school.
But what if you love telling stories? Well, you can be a space communicator. Space Communicators share the excitement of space with everyone. They write about space, make videos, and tell stories and news to inspire others. If being a space communicator sounds a bit of you, you could start writing about anything that interests you about space, practise speaking about space, and maybe even get involved with a local space organisation or society.
If maths is your thing and you love solving puzzles, being a space mathematician could be for you. Space Mathematicians use math to plan space missions, solve space problems, and ensure everything goes according to plan. To be a space mathematician, you need to focus on building your math skills and could even consider entering space math competitions.
But here’s the best part: you don't have to choose just one career. You can be a space scientist in the morning, a space engineer in the afternoon, and a space communicator in the evening—many careers in space overlap.
How do you begin a career in space?
You can study essential subjects like science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM)_. These subjects will help you understand the foundations behind space. You can read books about planets, stars, and space missions, join space groups at school, enter space competitions, and look for big space events to attend.
But hey, you don’t have to be stuck in a classroom to learn about space. You can watch space videos online, visit space museums, and go to space exhibitions where you can meet real-life people working in space every day. Remember, it’s not just about what you learn; it’s also about having fun on this out-of-this-world journey. Here are some career planning tips.
10 space career tips
Concentrate on STEM subjects: Maths, science, technology, and engineering are your rocket fuel! Master these in school and consider extracurriculars like robotics clubs or science fairs.
Become a stargazer and scholar: Love space? Devour books, articles, and documentaries. Learn about astronomy, physics, and the history of space exploration.
Get your hands dirty (literally!): Space isn’t all telescopes. Look for summer programmes or internships at space agencies, aerospace companies, or research labs.
Sharpen your ‘soft skills’: Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial for space careers. Take leadership roles in clubs, volunteer, or work on group projects.
Think beyond astronauts: Space exploration needs all kinds of minds. Consider engineering, software development, mission control, or even space law. Research your options and find what’s right for you.
Embrace the international space race: The future of space is global. Learn another language and explore international space agencies like ESA or JAXA.
Get physical (and mental): Astronauts need peak fitness. Develop healthy habits, exercise regularly, and explore programmes that test physical and mental resilience.
Network: Connect with professionals in the field. Attend online forums, conferences, or talks at universities. Ask questions and build connections.
Never stop reaching for the stars: There will be challenges, but stay focused and don’t give up on your dream. Persistence is key to a successful space career.
Be ACE – Assess, Commit, and Evaluate:
Assess: Deep dive into space jobs to find your perfect fit.
Commit: Focus your studies and experiences to launch your dream career.
Evaluate: Adapt your plan as needed to stay on course for lift-off!
And here’s a little secret: we are still learning about space because there’s always something new to discover. Whether you're dreaming of being an astronaut, a scientist, or an engineer, here are some further resources to investigate:
Space events in the UK
National Student Space Conference. This is an annual space conference bringing together students, academics, and industry experts from the UK.
UK Space Conference. One of the most influential and established space conferences in the UK, held every two years.
Reinventing Space Conference. An annual conference and exhibition organised by the British Interplanetary Society.
International Astronautical Congress. IAC is the biggest space conference in the world. It is held annually and hosted by a different country each year.
Space-Comm Expo. One of the biggest space events in the UK that focuses on the commercial future of space.
Academic courses to chart your path to a career in space
Aerospace Engineering (BEng/MEng): Fundamental for designing and developing spacecraft and aerospace systems.
Astrophysics (BSc/MSc/PhD): Essential for understanding celestial bodies, space phenomena, and cosmic processes.
Astronomy (BSc/MSc/PhD): Focuses on observational and theoretical aspects of celestial objects and events.
Mechanical Engineering (BEng/MEng): Critical for designing components of spacecraft and satellite systems.
Physics (BSc/MSc/PhD): Provides a foundational understanding of the principles governing the universe.
Satellite Communication Systems (MSc): Specialised programme for those interested in satellite communication technology.
Space Science and Exploration (MSc/PhD): Explores the scientific aspects of space and planetary exploration.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems (MSc): A specific course for those interested in developing robotic systems for space missions.
Geophysics (BSc/MSc/PhD): Relevant for studying Earth’s magnetic and gravitational fields, important for space weather.
Earth Observation and Remote Sensing (MSc): Focuses on utilising satellite data to study Earth’s surface.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering (BEng/MEng): Important for designing electrical systems in spacecraft.
Computational Astrophysics (MSc/PhD): Involves using computational methods to simulate and analyse astronomical phenomena.
Space Instrumentation and Satellite Systems (MSc): Specialised programme for designing instruments and systems for space missions.
Space Law and Policy (LLM): Relevant for understanding legal aspects of space exploration and satellite use.
Climate Science (BSc/MSc/PhD): Important for studying the impact of space weather on Earth's climate.
Optoelectronics and Photonics (MSc): Pertinent for developing optical systems used in space technologies.
Materials Science and Engineering (BEng/MEng): Crucial for developing materials with specific properties for space applications.
Data Science (MSc): Important for analysing large datasets, including those collected from space missions.
Telecommunications Engineering (BEng/MEng): Focuses on communication systems, relevant to satellite communication.
Nuclear Engineering (BEng/MEng): Essential for understanding nuclear propulsion systems used in space exploration.
About the author
This article was written by Steve Marshall, CEO of The Essential Expert, a company dedicated to supporting social mobility and equity of access through its sponsored programmes. Steve has held a range of senior leadership positions before CEO, most notably as COO of the Met Office and the UK's representative to EUMETSAT. However, he has a deep technical background as an electrical and electronic engineer and supply chain executive. His current PhD takes space climate observations and supports humanitarian capability planning to enable global coalition measures to be fit for the future. A former regular soldier and officer, he continues to serve as a reservist within the Royal Logistic Corps. You can connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/theessentialexpert
