- #1
Loquacator
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I'm looking for some input about good strategies for getting into commercial spaceflight after a pretty long detour through philosophy. I'm 25, I have a BA in Liberal Arts from a Great Books program (essentially a theology/philosophy/math degree), and I'm wrapping up a MA in Philosophy (I just have to write the Thesis [oh god I don't want to write this thesis] and take orals). I was originally on the PhD track for philosophy, but after basically 7 years of it, I was finally overcome by the feeling that the field is too contrived and too irrelevant for me to be comfortable dedicating my professional life to it. So, while I treasure the training and formation I've received from philosophy, I've decided I need something more concrete to do on a day-to-day basis. I've always been good at math, science, and writing, and I absolutely love a frontier, so the fitting resolution of these interests seems to be space exploration. Now seems to be an especially thrilling, promising time in the field of commercial spaceflight, with many companies springing up to fill the need. I'm aware that this is a pretty drastic career switch, and I'm more than a little daunted by the length of the road in front of me.
I suppose my question is twofold. First, is it better to return straight to school, or try to self-educate as much as possible and worm my way into an internship/build connections before returning to school? Then, if it is better to go straight to school, ought I be looking to get a second Bachelor's, or does it make sense to be applying straight to grad programs? And in either case, do I need to start out at the community college level to build some references and pre-reqs, or can I self-educate and then take some GRE subject tests?
Although I have natural facility with math, my credentials up to this point are very slim, particularly in relation to a field like spaceflight. Also, I have basically 0 good references right now, as my performance in philosophy grad school has been less than stellar, due mostly to a crushing indifference to the subject matter (clearly, some poor decisions were made). To top it all off, I'm married, have a new baby, am working two jobs, and am carrying roughly 20k in student loans from my BA. As I see it, the only things I have going for me right now are natural aptitude, a good work ethic, and a supportive family. Don't get me wrong: I'd rather have those things than any other possible advantages. But the rest of my circumstances sure aren't helping me any.
So, any thoughts? Strategies? Warnings? Recommendations as to good schools or companies that might be suited to my situation? Has anyone out there been in a similar spot?
I suppose my question is twofold. First, is it better to return straight to school, or try to self-educate as much as possible and worm my way into an internship/build connections before returning to school? Then, if it is better to go straight to school, ought I be looking to get a second Bachelor's, or does it make sense to be applying straight to grad programs? And in either case, do I need to start out at the community college level to build some references and pre-reqs, or can I self-educate and then take some GRE subject tests?
Although I have natural facility with math, my credentials up to this point are very slim, particularly in relation to a field like spaceflight. Also, I have basically 0 good references right now, as my performance in philosophy grad school has been less than stellar, due mostly to a crushing indifference to the subject matter (clearly, some poor decisions were made). To top it all off, I'm married, have a new baby, am working two jobs, and am carrying roughly 20k in student loans from my BA. As I see it, the only things I have going for me right now are natural aptitude, a good work ethic, and a supportive family. Don't get me wrong: I'd rather have those things than any other possible advantages. But the rest of my circumstances sure aren't helping me any.
So, any thoughts? Strategies? Warnings? Recommendations as to good schools or companies that might be suited to my situation? Has anyone out there been in a similar spot?