Science

With science being such a broad subject, covering a large group of disciplines, science degree programs fluctuate according to your desired focus. Science majors have the opportunity of obtaining a large number of careers. With so much flexibility, those enrolled in science degree programs are able to go after the specific job they prefer or the one they are most passionate about. What is important is to ensure that the specific science degree you chose to pursue will aid you in your desired career choice. With science, you have so many areas to explore – i.e. chemistry, computer science, environmental sciences, and biology.

Common Career Paths:

Science Technician

All science technicians incorporate all of the principles and theories of science along with mathematics to aid them in their research and development. This also can assist them in creating and bettering products and processes. This specific career is much more specialized than the career of a scientist. A science technician puts together, runs and maintains numerous lab tools, observe experiments, take down all results accompanied by any comments or remarks, and then come to a conclusion. Part of their job requires them to keep a detailed record of the work they do. With the work and procedures that take place inside laboratories becoming more advanced and multifaceted, the role a science technician plays in the research and development has increased. As a way of achieving the best possible results, science technicians will work alongside scientists to create and adapt lab procedures. This is in addition to typical tasks performed by all technicians. With the overall goal being to understand data and concoct solutions to any problems that arise, science technicians are expected to acquire a solid understanding of all laboratory equipment's. This knowledge lets them easily change settings if a piece of equipment is not functioning properly. Many technicians work to put in the time to develop their skills and work in the same fields as scientists. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 the median average annual salary in the Federal Government was $39,538 for biological science technicians, $55,527 for physical science technicians, and $42,733 for forestry technicians.

Astronomer

An astronomer performs research to comprehend the nature of the universe along with all things in it. They witness, gauge, construe, and create theories to help explain spiritual and physical marvels with the use of math. All astronomers analyze the essential properties of the world and then take this knowledge and use it to create new technologies. They bring in the principles of both mathematics and physics to discover more about the nature of the universe as well as its components. This includes the sun, stars, planets, and other galaxies. In fact, astronomy has been referred to as a subfield of physics. Astronomers sometimes use their knowledge to fix any issues in satellite communications or in navigation. However a large number of astronomers work in research and development. They sometimes do research with the hope of increasing scientific knowledge. An Astronomer will build upon any of the discoveries they have made, conducting applied research. This is done in an attempt to apply this newly acquired information and create a new device or process. Any astronomer needs to be someone who has the creativity to explore the unknown, along with the ability to be rational and put together theory's based on strictly facts and research. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 the median annual wages of astronomers were $101,300. The middle fifty percent earned between $63,610 and $133,630, the lowest ten percent less than $45,330, and the highest ten percent more than $156,720. In 2009, the average annual salary for astronomers employed by the Federal Government was $130,833.

Computer Programmer

A computer programmer is someone who writes programs. Following computer software engineers and systems analysts designing software programs, it is a computer programmer who converts this creation into a logical series of instructions that the computer can follow. All computer programmer code these instructions in various programming languages – the number is contingent on the need. Other job duties for this profession include updating, modifying, repairing, and expanding all of the existing programs. In the case of those who are working on a big project that needs multiple programmers, a computer programmer will use computer-assisted software engineering tools as a way of systematizing most of the coding process. Through using these tools, a computer programmer is able to focus more on writing the unique parts of a program. With the world of software design continuing to spread and progress, there are some computer programmers that are now taking on some of the main responsibilities that previously were handled by only software engineers. With a range of programming functions now being computerized and preset, computer programmers are able to help software engineers with discovering the needs of users as well as creating certain parts of computer programs – and in some cases other functions too. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 the median annual wages of wage-and-salary computer programmers was $69,620. The middle fifty percent earned between $52,640 and $89,720 a year. The lowest ten percent earned less than $40,080, and the highest ten percent earned more than $111,450. The industry that offers the largest median annual salary for human resource managers is software publishers.