How to become an Astrophysicist | My path from school to research (2004-2020)

I get asked a lot, especially by students, how I actually became an astrophysicist. So I thought I'd outline my path from high school to my current job at the University of Oxford.

Note this is focussed on the UK system but you should be able to draw parallels with your home country. Also note that my path was enabled by a whole heap of privilege as well.

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News on US & Canadian publication coming soon.

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Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist researching galaxies and supermassive black holes at Christ Church at the University of Oxford.

[godt]

I'm not an 'A' grade guy but I'm completely into astronomy. When I said "I wanted to be an astro physisist", my friends started to laugh but I don't wanted to give my hopes off. So, I'm entering 11th grade and I will concentrate on my academics to be a better guy.

[sanjanasrinivasan]

I'm in 12th grade right now and I'm absolutely in love with my 10th grade, I used hate physics and math.
But I made a model of the James Webb space telescope for my 10th project in science ...that is when I understood how cool the subject is....
So after my 12th grade...I'm gonna take up bsc in physics and looking forward for astrophysics!!!

[ChrisKennedy]

37 years old and just started my BSc in Astronomy and Planetary Science. I have spent years making cocktails and travelling, and never thought I would get to turn my love of astrophotography and science in to something. But it turns out its never to late and there are routes in.

Was interesting to see your journey and would love to know what you discovered in your Thesis.

[DrBecky]

MISTAKES! WHOOPS!
The most alarming of which is at 09:21 when an extra zero snuck into the UK average salary - that should read £27, 000 per year 😳
00:40 - that should read 2004, not 2014! I'm clearly not that young
03:44 - should read 2008, not 2018 - again, not that young.
I'm so used to writing the years with 1s in them, an easy mistake to make. Even a month into 2020 I'm still writing 2019 by default when I write the date 😅
Thanks to all who pointed those out. Editing Becky is very sorry.


I'll make that video about my PhD research to make up for it

[gavcooper]

'All the cool kids did physics'

True story.

[TheXxangelstarxx]

Oh my god I’ve actually come across your PhD thesis while working on my lab report for a university astro project this year on galaxy transformation in galaxy clusters! Was a very useful reference!!

[protocol]

"Every kid starts out as a natural-born scientist, and then we beat it out of them. A few trickle through the system with their wonder and enthusiasm for science intact." —Carl Sagan
"Kids are never the problem. They are born scientists. The problem is always the adults. They beat the curiosity out of kids. They outnumber the kids. They vote. They wield resources. That's why my public focus is primarily adults." —Neil deGrasse Tyson

Of course, they aren't born good scientists. That takes lots of training and effort.

[maxwellpineiro]

Dropped out of college my Sophomore year, tried community college twice to no avail. Now I’m 25, back with the parents and taking online classes to get a degree in Physics. It’s hard, so hard but seeing how happy you are motivates me to stay on the path. The goal is a PhD and as interested as I am in space, i’m finding myself more and more interested in the quantum world. Anyways ive completed my Calculus requirements and am currently taking my first Physics classes. I wasn’t expecting to have to know how to code but being a scientist sure would be the hell out of any job I’ve had.
Didn’t mean to make this about me, you just really inspire me to dial in on my goals.
Thank you!!

[lindaharrison]

This is a great share. Rarely do we hear the HOW of things, how someone became who they are. Thanks for sharing this with us ❤️

[luvo]

Hearing stories like this inspires me to carry on my path to being a scientist. It's really tough not having people to talk to about your passion

[notfoursaken]

Thank you for this video! My 10 year old daughter wants a career in astrophysics.

[danielegimeno]

I love how she acknowledge everything she had. Privilege, status of the country

[dylannovak]

Please give us a video on your PHD thesis :)

[dhwanisingh]

I literally honestly can’t imagine my life without physics and I honestly am so glad I found this channel, I am preparing for my university entrance exams being in year 12 currently, and everything I do now is motivated by astrophysics ! And such a close look into this job just makes me want to live it one way or another. Thank you thank you thank you so much for this channel, Dr Becky I hope to see you in some future physics conference!

[bazoo]

10:00 - Of course we would like to learn about your results!

[willowoodz]

i love how you RADIATE happiness. it’s amazing to see ppl who pursue careers that they love! it’s inspiring

[michaelogden]

I'm not a physicist, but I was drawn to biology-type studies, particularly human physiology and biochemistry. At your age, I was also blessed with being close to a number of "stellar" bodies in the field. It is difficult to convey the amazing atmosphere of being there at that time. Most people can't possibly "get it". Cheers, Dr. Becky!

[marietherese]

I just turned 18 and until now I never knew what i wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to become a researcher and go into science but I never knew which field of science I wanted to go into. Your videos just reminded me of my love for astronomy as a kid and when I was younger would sit in front of the Tv just watching docus about the universe and astronomy for hours on no end and read every new article that would be published on the NASA website. But I was always told that I probably wouldn't get a job afterwards if I would study Astronomy or Physics and now thx to you my love for space reignited into a much brighter flame and I decided to go against everybodys opinion and study astronomy. Thank you for that motivation!

[CarlosSpicyWiener]

Sadly as someone coming from the US, even £9000/year sounds really cheap for an undergraduate degree

[vavila]

Physics was my least favorite last semester. Yet, somehow I cannot stop looking forward to fall classes for more physics 😂 why am I like this