I got into the astrophysics major at UCSC for undergrad. I am torn between this and aerospace at purdue. Whats it like getting a job right after? I know you need a graduate degree for most stuff but I’m still curious what is available without one. Thanks!
Tough choice. I was waitlisted at UCSC but accepted to Purdue for CS. I know for a fact that engineering is definitely a safer career choice and offers higher salaries than astrophysics (not quite sure kind of jobs an astrophysicist might have, though). Purdue for Aerospace is among the best for sure. If you’re interested in doing Aeronautical engineering then you’d be set. Purdue has graduated 23 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong who was the first man to walk on the moon, and they all majored in different fields ranging from aerospace to electrical engineering.
I think for most people this would be a choice between you passion or job security/high salary. Purdue definitely has a great reputation for Aerospace and highly experienced aerospace engineering makes a lot of money.
Financial modeling involving mathematical knowledge, programming, software dev, data science at the BS level.
Assuming you are a US citizen, then depending on the major and the internships, you might snag a corporate engineering job. Astrophysics will be tough to “fit” into a corporate career.