Advice

[Aaron Albee]

Hello all,

    

     I am a freshman who is reentering school in my mid 30's. I had a career in veterinary medican as a technician.  I am currently a microbiology major,  also getting a minor in physics with 12-15 hours of geoscience as well. I am focused on a career in astrobiology for grad work and beyond. So here are a few questions I have.

1. Other than what I have mentioned are there class that a will better prepare me to work in the Field?

2. What are my options grad school wise and are there resources to research this? ( I have looked at NASA'S site)? 

3. Are there internships for undergrads or summer research opertunities and where can I locate resources.

4. General schooling advise?

My dream after school is to work on a project to analyze and identify microbial extraterrestrial life.

Aaron

[Sanjoy Som]

Hi Aaron,

Let met give this a stab:

1. Other than what I have mentioned are there class that a will better prepare me to work in the Field?

Every summer, most Geology departments at Universities organize a "Field Camp", where you are taught the basics of mapping & rock identification. The best way to get experience in the field is to go to the field. Maybe there is a local geology club in your community or at the University?

2. What are my options grad school wise and are there resources to research this? ( I have looked at NASA'S site)? 

Try this: http://saganet.org/page/useful-links

3. Are there internships for undergrads or summer research opportunities and where can I locate resources.

for undergrads, NASA OSSI is good: https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/web/public/main/

BMSIS YSP is good too: bmsis.org/ysp

4. General schooling advise?

Here is something I wrote on this topic:

http://saganet.org/forum/topics/so-you-want-to-become-an-astrobiolo...

Hope this helps!

Best,
Sanjoy