Page 23 - Careers in Mathematics

So, what does a career in this field look like and how do I spend a in writing journal articles, reading papers, and giving or attending
typical day? The quest of an Astronomer is to deepen our presentations. I have attended conferences or been on research
understanding of the universe, the space beyond our world. Much visits to New York, London, Paris, Sydney, and Geneva.
of what we do is data-driven, and I investigate techniques to
analyse terabytes of data using Artificial Intelligence and If you are considering a career in this field, I can assure you that it
statistical methods. Sometimes referred to as “blue skies science” is a great area to work in. Ideally, it would be best if you have a
and, contrary to the picture Hollywood paints of space passion for Mathematics and Science, enjoy problem-solving and
exploration, we do not often stumble upon discoveries like aliens be curious. South Africa’s government is investing in Astronomy,
or life on other planets. Instead, we improve our understanding of and our involvement in MeerKAT and SKA have resulted in growing
the universe. Astronomy is a field that has driven innovation – interest and opportunities for Astronomers. No day is the same
space travel being a primary example of this. CCDs in cameras, x- for me, and I am empowered to pursue aspects of research that
ray scanners at airports and GPS technology wouldn't have are of interest to me.
happened without astronomy.
There is a misconception that careers in the sciences do not pay –
South Africa has a significant competitive advantage when it I can assure you, however, that anyone graduating with a BSc in
comes to Astronomy. Our dark skies, wide-open spaces, and areas Physics will have many career options to choose from, Astronomy
where a lack of radio interference is protected by law, provide being but one of those. If you can learn to program (look on the
ideal conditions for both SKA and MeerKAT. The MeerKAT radio internet, there are lots of resources to teach yourself and it is
telescope, situated 90 km outside the small Northern Cape town enjoyable), can think and question or analyse large sets of data,
of Carnarvon, is a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) you will have fun and, probably be employable.
telescope and will be integrated into the mid-frequency
component of SKA Phase 1. MeerKAT has been designed, Work-life balance is essential to me, so I do not spend all day in
engineered and built in South Africa to be at the cutting edge of front of a computer screen. I play the piano and enjoy socialising
the advancement of the human species. Much of the work that I – gaming is also a hobby (more screentime). In 2017 I founded the
do entails working with data obtained from MeerKAT, and I am Supernova Foundation – an international mentoring programme
excited to be part of an incredible and ambitious international for women in Physics. Today we have around 70 mentors who
project. work with more than 180 mentees in different countries. We
connect senior women in Physics with women students for
A typical day will involve working on programming and scientific personal mentoring, run quarterly webinars, and help our
investigation. I have, in collaboration with colleagues, developed mentees with everything from selecting PhD research topics to
an algorithm that quickly detects anomalies in vast sets of data. career options and dealing with issues in the workplace.
Astronomy is a collaborative field, so I attend regular meetings
and work with colleagues all around the world. I am also involved

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