Post
by schmit.paul » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:10 am
seems like you're sending mixed signals...primary interests in QFT/high energy theoretical physics, but you want to work for NASA. NASA's probably not going to need too many high energy theorists to (attempt to) carry out Bush's Mars initiative...that is, unless they need someone to calculate cross sections for cosmic radiation incident upon organic material (:cue cymbals: da da, dsssssh!)
Those schools are nothing to scoff at...i'm sure they would like to think that your paranoia is entirely unjustified. You need to contact the relevant faculty at these institutions, inquire on what opportunities currently exist for people with your set of interests, and ask where their Ph.D. graduates typically get placed after grad school. None of us on this board (with the exception of maybe a few stragglers) have come close to finishing our Ph.D. work and searched for jobs, and the vast majority of the active posters aren't even officially grad students yet. Asking us if you could get a job with NASA by going to one of those grad schools is asking too much of individuals who simply aren't privy to that kind of information or, even worse, will lead you on with their speculative opinions behind a facade of expertise...and this kind of misinformation could lead you to make an uninformed decision (no offense to anyone on this message board, but I'm sure most of you will agree with me).
You need to put in the footwork and start making phone calls, sending emails, and visiting these schools (assuming you've been admitted to them, which you give the impression that you have). Good luck, and don't freak out too much, those are all great institutions...now you just need to find out if they are doing research in a field that holds you interest.