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Last Post 3/27/2017 5:08 PM by  Kris Sigsbee
Your Career
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Sam M(AD)





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3/26/2017 8:48 PM
    Sam M (AD)

    Do you think 10 years from now you'll still be studying the sun, if not, what might you be doing? thanks...
    Tags: career

    Lindsay Glesener



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    Posts:37
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    3/27/2017 5:56 AM
    Yes, I believe I will still be studying the Sun. There's so much that can be learned from studying our nearest star, and we still have a lot to learn! I may branch out a bit as well -- for example, recently I've been getting interested in using solar physics to try to understand other stars as well -- but I plan to still spend most of my time looking at spacecraft data from the Sun.

    Laurel Rachmeler



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    Posts:12
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    3/27/2017 1:56 PM
    Hi Sam,

    That is a really difficult question to answer. I love the challenge of discovery, the work that I do, and the other people that I work with! However, science, like any other job, has moments that are challenging and not fun. If there comes a time when I decide to leave science, I know that I will be able to find something else to do with my life that makes me happy. Sometimes I think about what else I could do if chose to: become a midwife, work in art preservation, open a small cafe or bed and breakfast, sell or teach art, teach high school science at an international school.

    While I certainly hope that I can continue to do this for a long time, there is always a possibility that I won't. Life is always a series of changes, some small and some big, and while change can be scary, it can also be wonderful. But I do know that science is something that I love, and right now it is what I want to do. As Lidsay said, one thing that is sure is that in 10 years, there will still be many unanswered questions about the Sun waiting to be studied.

    Claire Raftery



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    Posts:71
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    3/27/2017 2:01 PM
    Hi Sam,

    That's a great question. I don't know where I'll be in 10 years from now. One thing I've learned over the past few years is you never know where you path will take you. If I'm still happy working in this field, then sure, I might still be here. But if things change, or other opportunities come along, I might consider making a switch. I already made a big career change a few years ago when I decided to stop doing scientific research and focus my efforts on science education (which paid off, since I'm now the Director of Education for a National Lab!). I never would have pictured myself in this role when I was in school. In fact, when I was in school, I didn't even know this was a career option!

    If I was to leave solar physics, I might decide to go and work for UNESCO (if they'd have me!) which is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. I might also decide to set up my own company around science education. I might decide to do something completely different and go into carpentry (I love to do woodwork on the side). Who knows!

    Anyway, my advice is, keep your options open and try new things if they feel right. You never know where you might end up!

    Kris Sigsbee



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    Posts:415
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    3/27/2017 5:08 PM
    Hi Sam,

    I took courses on stellar evolution and solar physics when I was a student, but I don't actually study the Sun itself as part of my job right now. Instead of studying the Sun itself and what causes things like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), I actually study the effects of the solar wind and CMEs on the region of space where Earth's magnetic field can be measured, which is called the magnetosphere. Things like CMEs and high speed solar wind streams can produce space weather like geomagnetic storms and the northern lights. The northern lights are beautiful to look at, but geomagnetic storms can cause problems with satellites, navigation, electrical power systems. Geomagnetic storms and solar flares can also pose a risk to astronauts in space. Understanding space weather is important, so I hope that in 10 years I am still working as a scientist. However, if I am not doing space weather research in 10 years, I hope that I will be working on something else important, like building spacecraft to explore our solar system.
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