Details & Abstract
We hosted a career guidance session on astronomy and astrophysics, covering internships, higher studies and career opportunities in the field. The session provided practical insights into applications, research pathways and skill development for aspiring astrophysicists.
What Happened
Singularity organized a career guidance session to explore career opportunities and internships in astronomy and astrophysics, delivered by Navonila Karmakar, a BS-MS student from the Department of Physical Sciences (DPS). The session began with an introduction to her academic journey and achievements, including her selection for various research programs and internships in both India and abroad, such as her work with international institutes and her upcoming Master’s Thesis at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Germany.
She then provided an engaging overview of the field of astronomy and astrophysics, highlighting its importance in understanding fundamental questions about the universe, including galaxy formation, gravitational waves, dark matter and other large-scale physical phenomena. She also introduced the various domains within the field and the interdisciplinary skills required to pursue them.
The core of the session focused on guiding students on how to build a career in astrophysics. Navonila discussed the importance of a strong foundation in physics, mathematics and basic programming, along with participation in relevant workshops, summer schools and research projects. She shared detailed insights into internship opportunities in India and abroad, including programs at institutions such as ISRO, Caltech, MIT and leading European research centers. Practical guidance was also provided on preparing essential application materials, including CVs, Statements of Purpose (SOPs) and the process of cold emailing potential mentors. She further spoke about suitable countries and institutes for higher studies, as well as opportunities specifically available for women in the field. The session concluded with an interactive and personalized question-and-answer segment, where students actively engaged with the speaker, making the event both informative and highly beneficial.
Speaker / Author
Navonila Karmakar