Feeling inspired by Project Hail Mary? Here are 4 unexpected degrees that will lead you into the space sector

“One would never expect a mere middle school teacher to save the world from space. Grossing over US$500 million at the global box office, “Project Hail Mary” — adapted from the #1 New York Times best-selling novel by Andy Weir — is one of the most successful sci-fi films in history. The film, a tastefully humorous, visual masterpiece, is a testament to the wonders of filmmaking. It reminds us exactly why we go to the cinema in the first place. When we first meet the main character, Ryland Grace, he’s using this knitted, rock-like ball symbolising lava to spring space-related questions to his students. Eventually, we see this lava ball become a symbol of his journey, from the classroom to the Petrova Line. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fernando Caire (@botsandmagic) Now, Grace might’ve been a teacher at the start of the film, but he did come from an academic background , particularly in cell biology, so his pipeline of going to space isn’t as far-fetched. They didn’t just pluck a teacher out of nowhere. However, there are certain degrees that can lead you to the space industry — and you don’t have to be a fact-defying cell biologist to get there. If Project Hail Mary suddenly has you eager to work in the space industry, here are a few less conventional degrees that will get you there. Source: Brian McGowan on Unsplash For Project Hail Mary fans: Here are 4 non-engineering degrees to work in the space industry Law/International Relations Here’s a scenario: you dream of working in the space industry, but rather than a STEM field like engineering or astrophysics, you decided to pursue a bachelor’s in political science or international relations and went on to get your Juris Doctor instead? Sounds specific, but your goal is rather feasible. Space lawyers are exactly what they sound like: they specialise in legal aspects regarding space activities, working directly with governments, corporations, and international organisations on issues related to satellite operations, space exploration, etc. Education Being passionate about space hardly means having to become an astronaut. Even Grace didn’t want to be an astronaut in Project Hail Mary. Sometimes, it means sharing that passion with the wider community, so that one day, you can inform and influence the next generation of space professionals. If you studied education, communications, or even astronomy at university, then you could enter the space industry through pursuing a career as an education and outreach specialist — where you craft workshops and programs to inspire students and the general public to join the industry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Project Hail Mary (@projecthailmary) Geography/Environmental Science Studying geography or environmental science doesn’t only limit you to Earth’s surface. In fact, scientists at NASA often use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to deepen their understanding of the solar system — GIS space exploration becoming crucial to identifying features of other worlds, as well as valuable information about the Earth itself. With a geography or environmental science background, you can pursue a career as a remote sensing scientist, in which you use satellites to study facets of climate change, natural disasters, natural resources, and more. You may not be the one who’s flying out in space, but the perspective you gain remains otherworldly. Advertising/Marketing You may not think advertising or marketing would lead you to space, but as Alexandra Skelton, a graduate who landed a full-time marketing position in the space industry after participating in the GRAVITY challenge , puts it: “There’s a place in space for everyone.” The space industry needs marketing professionals who can “promote how space benefits life on Earth .” Think social media coordinators, graphic designers, and journalists. Though, it’s crucial that you understand how to communicate subject matter into easily digestible content.

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