Preface
Breaking into the planetary community is a difficult task, especially if you do not attend a planetary university. When I was an undergraduate, I felt like I was the only one with a passion for planetary science. Going to planetary univserisities has admense benefits such as networking and connections. Without the benefits of networking, I had to work harder than those who went to planetary schools to find the available opportunities, such as scholarships, internships, and more. I was always scouring websites from planetary opportunities. I will not pretend to know all the opportunities or groups out there. But all it took was one person to make a difference and get me into the planetary community.
To make things easier for the next generation of students, I have been compiling this document with opportunities in mind to both strengthen your CV and facilitate the process of breaking into the planetary field. This guide is organized into four sections: Academic Planning for Future Planetary Scientists (below), Application Tips, Planetary and Related Applications, and Research. I hope this guide helps you get where you want to be.
- Sarah N. Lamm
Acknowledgements
Oriel A. Humes
Erin Aadland
Lori Pigue
Table Of Contents
Don't be afraid to think outside your major when it comes to planetary science - it's a super interdisciplinary field! There are loads of majors, minors, and certificates (like GIS) that could be super helpful for your goals. Think about majors like geology, physics, chemistry, biology, and geography, and consider doing dual majors or picking up minors/certificates to round out your education. The most important thing is to choose classes that interest you and that you think will be useful for your future career. Don't worry if you're not totally sure what you want to do yet.
Honestly, in my opinion, it's usually better to get a B.S. degree in one of the fundamental sciences (like geology, chemistry, biology, physics, etc) rather than a B.S. in Planetary Science. While a B.S. in Planetary Science sounds cool, it's usually not enough to get you a job in the field - you pretty much need a PhD for that. And getting into grad school and earning a PhD is tough work that requires a ton of luck. A degree in a fundamental science is more versatile and gives you options in case you decide not to go to grad school.
Some Sub Disciplines and Topics in Planetary Science:
Astrochemistry
Astrobiology
Asteroids and Small bodies
Atmospheric Science
Comets
Craters
Exoplanets
Geochemistry
Geophysics and planetary interiors
Glaciology
Paleoenvironments
Ocean and Ice Worlds
Remote Sensing
And many more
Apart from your major, there are plenty of valuable skills you can learn while in school that can give your resume a boost. It's always helpful to have a diverse range of skills under your belt because you never know which ones might come in handy. You can develop many valuable skills for free through books from your college or public library, college or community classes, LinkedIn Learning courses, YouTube tutorials, or by exploring resources online. You don't have to be an absolute pro at everything, just having a basic understanding or familarity of these skills can go a long way! This list is not exhaustive by any means. Be sure to pursue things you are interested in, not just what you think would be the most helpful.
Do check your university for free software that is available, and check classes from other departments.
K-State software can be found here.
University of Kansas software can be found here.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Software: QGIS and/or ArcPro.
QGIS is free,
ArcPro by ESRI-Most universities have a 1 year student license for
Some universities will pay for you to take free ESRI Academy Training which trains you on ArcPro
Classes to look for: Geographic Information Systems 1
Remote Sensing (software is ENVI)
ENVI is not free. Though possibly available at your university in a geographic computer lab.
Classes to look for: Remote Sensing Of The Environment
Excel or any database software
how to make quick plots
How to create functions in cells
How to use the index and vlookup functions
Programming/Statistics/Data Science/Machine Learning
There is a push for more people to learn Python or R Statistical Language , because both are free to use. IDL and Matlab are not free, which can be difficult for others to use or collaborate on. There actually are a ton of programming languages but here is a short list that I generally hear used.
If you have access to LinkedIn Learning, they also have programming classes. What is cool about Linkedin Learning, if you complete the class you can put that certificate on your profile. Your university or public library might have access to LinkedIn Learning
Machine learning techniques to be aware of could be PCA, Random Forest, SVM, CNN, XGBoost, LDA, and PLS-DA.
Also be aware many physicists and engineers type documents in Latex, like Overleaf (FREE). Latex is a document markup language
Look for classes like: Fundamental Computer Programming Concepts, Intro to Matlab, Intro to SAS Computing, Intro to R Computing, Programming for Geographic Analysis, Statistics, Machine Learning, Data Analysis
Computer-aided Design (CAD)
If you are an engineer you might have heard of CAD before. CAD can be used to make things for 3-D printing later or just figures for grants later. As a scientist, I have never been required to use it for my research. But when I did mission design simulations, the engineers would use CAD for our projects. Many universities allow you to get the software for free. Software like AutoCad, Sketch Up, etc. Linkedin Learning does have trainings for AutoCAD.
Scientific Instruments
Cameras (visible, stereo, panoramic)
Stand Off Spectrometers (Raman, LIBS, IR, UV, X-ray, gamma-ray)
Mass spectrometers (Gas and Dust)
Gas chromatographs (usually GC-MS)
Laser altimeters (LiDAR)
Radar
Magnetometers
Radiometers
Particle detectors
X-ray fluorescence instruments
X-ray diffraction instruments
Seismometers
Random Skills
Field Work
Telescopes
Photography
Foreign Languages
NASA Open Science Training (can then appear on LinkedIn Profile)
Creativity - Thinking outside the box
Critical Thinking & Problem solving- especially creative problem solving
Taking the Initiative/Leadership
Organization
Time Management & Backwards Planning
Resourcefulness
Communication - written and verbal
Teamwork/Collaboration
Flexibility
Asking for what you want and asking for help at appropriate intervals
Being teachable- Not acting like a know it all
Willing to Fail or be Rejected
Resource loading in Project Management
Whether we like it or not, a significant portion of our college years is dedicated to building up our resumes (or CVs) for the next phase of our career. However, this is one of the main reasons why we go to college in the first place. Take advantage of your classes to develop your skill set and build your CV in preparation for grad school or the job market. You may even need to use your resume/CV multiple times throughout your undergraduate career.
Let's begin by understanding the difference between a resume and a CV. A CV has no page limit, and you can add as much information as you want to it. I maintain a CV and update it approximately once a month, or whenever I accomplish something new. When I need a one-page resume, I take my full CV and trim it down to fit the page. I intentionally select the most impressive or useful points from my CV to tailor my resume for a specific application. Click here for application tips!
You should update your CV every time you accomplish something new. It's also a good idea to review it every month to ensure that you haven't forgotten anything or made any errors. Arrange each section in order from newest to oldest, so your most recent educational experience should be listed first in that section.
There are plenty of ideas for formatting a CV and other useful hints available online. I highly recommend searching for resources on the internet. The Geological Society of America offers an excellent resource to get you started. Here is my current CV.
Below, I've listed some ideas for sections you could include in your CV, but you don't need to use all of them. Some sections will become relevant as you progress in your scientific career. Don't worry if you need to skip some sections for now. As you advance in your career, you might even eliminate some of them. I initially had a "relevant coursework" section, but I dropped it after earning my bachelor's degrees.
Once you have a working CV, consider having your college's career center review it. Don't hesitate to ask others (both peers and superiors) to critique it as well. Keep in mind that you don't have to accept all suggestions. Different approaches work for different people and career goals.
Section Ideas for your CV
Education (you can leave out high school)
Research Experience
Work History (any jobs, academic or not)
Relevant Coursework
Clubs (Like the Geology club, ACS-Student Affiliate, etc)
Honors and Awards
Outreach/Volunteering
Computer Programs and Skills
Lab Techniques/Instruments
Training/Webinars/Workshops/External Educational Opportunities
Professional Presentations (Conference presentations/ posters)
In the Media (for articles about you, or interviews)
Abstracts
Invited Talks
Publications
Committees or Panels
Professional Service (like editor, reviewer, advisor, mentor, etc)
Check what clubs your community or college offers. I also highly recommend having hobbies or just trying new things. You can also take community classes. You do not solely have to pick hobbies or clubs to further your career. Pick things you are interested in, like sports, photography, or whatever you want to try. Definitely check your state for related clubs or groups. Below is some found in Kansas.
Kansas local groups to be aware of. I don’t think students can join, but they sometimes hold events that you might find interesting.
Kansas Astronomical Observers
Astronomical Society Of Kansas City
Volunteering is an excellent way to show you are committed to public service and add a line to your resume. There might be opportunities through your department, so read your departmental emails. Volunteering to run a departmental booth, judge a science fair, etc.
Science Communication does receive mixed feelings from the community. Some people think it's a necessary thing to do, and others think it's a waste of time. Regardless, I think Sci Comm is great for your career. It can lead to awards, networking, and better overall communication skills. There is also different ways to do it: photos, videos, booths, blogs, presentations, demonstrations, etc. For information on some of my personal sci comm , please click here.
You can also look for local science festivals, ask teachers, libraries, or museums you know if they would be interested in you speaking. There are also groups like community adult groups like Rotary, Kiwanis and Lyons clubs. I have spoken a lot in my hometown by just asking teachers and groups I know if I could talk to them.
AGU Voices For Science-(app due early Feb) (For Graduates students all the way to Retired Scientists. Free AGU registration and trip to Washington D.C.)
NASA Solar System Ambassador- (September application, and anyone can apply)
STEM advocacy institute (already need to have an outreach idea in mind, they give money for your outreach idea)
AAAS Mass Media Fellowship- Early January (upper level undergraduate or graduate)
Geobites- Writing and summarizing papers for a public audience. For graduate students
Previously published on April 28, 2023, in the AGU blog The Plainspoken Scientist. The blog has since been discontinued, so my article is reproduced here.
Science Communication: How it benefits a STEM research career
"Many STEM professionals hold the misconception that engaging in science communication can hinder the progress of budding and established research careers. However, it is not necessary to choose between engaging in outreach and conducting research. The truth is science communication can improve research opportunities by increasing your eligibility for funding, and expand your networking connections.
Science communication makes scientists eligible for funding, they would otherwise be ineligible for. At one point in my career, I was not conducting the research that I was passionate about, and I lacked funding to attend a conference. However, due to my past outreach efforts, I was fortunate enough to be awarded a science communication scholarship, which enabled me to attend the conference. The networking I had at this conference led me to completely alter the trajectory of my research career. Without that science communication award, based on my previous outreach efforts, I would not have been able to pursue an exciting new research direction.
Science communication expands the impact of research beyond academic journals and conferences. To illustrate, I once gave a geo-educational talk that caught the attention of a planetary scientist, who offered to provide materials for an upcoming outreach event of mine. After learning that we had similar research interests, they sent me applications for opportunities related to that type of research. Through this experience, I discovered that my engagement in science communication was valued by this scientist as a means of collaborating to promote his research. This is just one example of how science communication can facilitate valuable networking opportunities and unexpected collaborations that can enhance the visibility research.
Outreach has changed my career, opening up funding opportunities and providing me with invaluable networking connections. To those who are still uncertain about the benefits of outreach, I offer these words of encouragement: you do not need to be actively engaged in research to participate in outreach. Simply choose a topic that you are knowledgeable and passionate about sharing. In addition to that, you do not have to put outreach on hold while you are conducting research; in fact, the two can complement each other. Furthermore, you do not have to commit to large, time-consuming events to make a meaningful impact. Small, ad hoc events where you reuse the same demonstration or presentations for different groups can be just as effective. Every scientist has the potential to engage in outreach, no matter how small their contribution may seem. The ripple effects of science communication can be significant, benefiting both the community and your personal career. "
Teaching Assistantships (TA)- through your department (grad students; though sometimes seniors or maybe juniors).
You might also be able to grade for a professor and some laboratory classes are taught by students
Research Assistantships- sparse and randomly available
This is when you get paid to do research for a professor on a project
You can directly ask professors if they have any research you can help on or watch for departmental posters or emails
In my experience my internships and/or undergraduate research were better for me to get into graduate school than my GPA.
Tutoring
Work for the Library or Writing Center
Check out your college job postings
NASA Fundamentals of Remote Sensing- Free & Virtual
ESRI Academy Training- Some colleges provide this for free
Geology and Planetary Mapping Online Winter School - Was Free, not sure still is
Short Courses at the scientific meetings
Departmental Seminars-are open to the public so explore the other departments seminars. I went to a few physics seminars because they were astronomy/NASA related
Make a LinkedIn account-even if it's basic and sparse
Chances are employers/advisors will google you. This is a simple way to control your a bit of your own narrative
Also people might contact you on LinkedIn if they can't find your email
Facebook-Earth Science Women's Network (ESWN) - Discussion Group
Twitter used to be really big for planetary scientist, but I don't think that is true anymore.
Maybe Mastodon or BlueSky, but I really don't know.
Check your college what they might have available for you to use.
Office Hours are available for students to go ask their professors questions
Writing Center
Tutoring, some departments offer their own help rooms
Career Center- different free services
Career Closet
Professional Photo- Free
Career Center Student Events
Career Fairs
Office of First Generation Students
Office of Undergraduate Research
Mental Health Services
Most likely, to work in the planetary community you will need a PhD. It is possible to have just a masters, but it’s rare. The short answer is you will likely need to go to graduate school. Which may or may not have been something you have heard of before.
I will keep this short, because there are tons of well-written resources already available online. The most important thing is getting a good advisor. Everything else is secondary. Ask yourself questions like should you get a masters first, or skip right to PhD, why or why not? Consider the funding and cost of living in each place. Consider Teaching Assistantships/ Research Assistantships. What could help you boost your chances of getting in and maybe getting fellowships there? The career center can help out with graduate school applications. I did write a generic application tip guide.
Do cold email professors you are interested in working with at grad school. If you get a positive response, set up a video call. If that goes well, reach out to the current and former students.
If you can’t find their information online, directly ask that professor for their students' emails. Not all professors are as nice as they say they are. Do your due diligence and research them.
Do not pay for grad school. For PhDs, go where they guarantee 4-5 years of funding.
Typical Things considered for your applications
Statement of Purpose
AKA Why do you want this degree from that location and work with that person
Research/Publications/Abstracts/Presentations
Work Experience
Honors and Awards
Letter of Intent/Personal Statement
GPA
GRE
This is for the year right after your bachelor but before graduate school. It is possible to go straight to grad school, but maybe you need a gap year.