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Dream Job Questionnaire

-- | May 3, 2015

Question: Hello. For school, I have to interview a person with my dream job and I would be very grateful if you could answer some of my interview questions. — Leo

Q1: What events in your life inspired you to become an astronomer?

I have always had an interest in science. I am not sure what influenced my decision to pursue a career in astronomy, but I have also always been interested in astronomy. I did also have very good science teachers in elementary and high school, so I believe that they were very influential in my career path.
Q2: How does the typical work day as an astronomer look like?

The great thing about astronomy is that it is rarely typical. I have quite a wide range of tasks that I can work on during any given day. Most of them involve solving astrophysical problems or working on keeping the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s facilities running well. All of them are interesting, though.
Q3: What college majors and degrees did you take to become an astronomer?

I have three degrees in astronomy. Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate.
Q4: What is the history of this occupation?

I think that astronomy must be one of the oldest of the sciences, dating from ancient times when people tried to figure out what stars where and why they moved the way they did.
Q5: How many years of college did you take to become an astronomer?

It took me four years to finish my bachelors degree, then two years to finish my Masters degree, followed by another three years to finish my Doctorate.
Q6: What is the main purpose of being an astronomer in your point of view and what accomplishments do they achieve?

The main purpose of astronomers is to figure out how the universe works. Since many people find the study of planets, stars, and galaxies fascinating, astronomy also inspires people to better understand the physical world around them. This results in an increased number of people who seek to understand science, and perhaps pursue careers in the sciences.
Q7: What is the best part or benefits for working as this occupation?

I think that the best part of my job is that I get to work on a variety of interesting problems.
Q8: Who in your life gave you the motivation and helped you to become an astronomer?

I think that my high school teachers were the main motivators for what became a career path in astronomy.
Q9: What is your specific role and what kind of astronomer are you?

I am a scientist at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) where I work to develop, update, and maintain radio telescope facilities. NRAO’s telescopes are used by astronomers all over the world.
Q10: What is your name?

Jeff Mangum

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.