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Can you picture yourself going into space?
Would you love to be floating out in space in a spacesuit? Or maybe your dream is to help build spacecrafts here on
Earth? Have you ever wondered what kind of people work for
space programs and wished you could be one of them? Anyone that is
fascinated by space, can blast-off towards a cosmic career
in the space industry!
Find out about:
Careers in the space industry
For many years, humans have dreamed of exploring space.
People in Canada's space industry and at the Canadian Space Agency
don't just dream about it. They work on it daily.
Do you dream of taking part in the conquest of space? Astronauts aren't the only ones with a role to play. There are many other occupations in the space industry
that need your contribution.
In the following pages, you will discover the scientific
fields in which the Canadian Space Agency is making a difference, occupations in these areas and
the educational requirements for these jobs. You may find that your dream
is not as difficult to realize as you had thought. Many space occupations require a university education and specialization,
but scientists, researchers and engineers also rely on the
support of technicians trained at the college level.
The conquest of Mars is only beginning. It has been estimated that
a person will take the first steps on Mars in 2030. The astronauts who land on Mars will be between 20 and 40 years old.
Do the math; one of them could be you! Many problems have yet to be solved to get
to Mars and live there. But who knows? It could be your research, or
your skill as a technician, that takes us a step closer to accomplishing this feat.
So, stop wishing upon a star, and start making plans for your
career in space! A good place to start is by reading
"A Career in Space: The Leading Edge,"
which outlines many career options in the space field.
| Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it
so!
-Belva Davis, broadcast journalist |
Working for the Canadian Space Agency
The Canadian Space Agency, under the Public
Service Employment Act and Regulations, is required to hire employees
through the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC). The PSC is
responsible for advertising Public Service positions.
To apply for positions in management or any of the five other
occupational categories (scientific, professional, administration
and foreign service, technical, administrative support, and operations),
or to join the space team as a student (summer job or
cooperative apprenticeship), you must submit your credentials and
qualifications to the PSC rather than the Canadian Space Agency. CSA does not accept resumes sent directly to its offices.
To obtain information on available positions and hiring terms,
visit the Public Service Commission of Canada
(List of employment opportunities across Canada ) at www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/.
Jobs at CSA for students
Work experience in the Public Service of Canada is available for
Canadian students. However, we ask that you consult the section of the
PSC Web site on the
Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP),
where you will find all the details on eligibility for this program.
You might also find it interesting to take a look at the
Canadian Space
Directory which provides the addresses for Canadian space sector firms.
The Canadian Space Agency also hires several students through
the
Post-Secondary Co-operative Education and Internship Programs within the
Public Service of Canada. In 1999, for instance, some 175
interns (from the FSWEP and Co-op programs) joined the CSA. During summer 2000,
71 new students and interns were hired by the CSA, including 19
women, 14 members of visible minorities, as well as 51% francophone and 49%
anglophone students. For further information on the
Co-op Program, please visit the PSC Web site where you will find
eligibility
criteria, information on how to register as well as the
list of all the Canadian
institutions offering Co-op programs.
Recent graduates can submit an application to the
National Graduate
Registry, the electronic placement service, set up by Human Resources
and Skills Development Canada. This service matches jobseekers with employers in the
private and public sectors.
The Government of Canada also offers programs for graduates with
disabilities. To learn about these, visit: www.campusworklink.com/CenturySignals.
Become an Astronaut!
Members of the Canadian astronaut team were selected during a huge
recruitment drive in 1983 and 1992. Because so many people knew about this
search, the CSA was able to find people who had all the necessary
qualifications to go into space (scientific studies in medicine,
physics or engineering).
The date for the next search for astronauts hasn't been announced yet.
CSA asks that anyone who is interested wait for an announcement on the
CSA Web site before sending a resumé. Find out more about what it takes
to be an astronaut by reading How can I become an
Astronaut?
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The Canadian Space Agency also supports
the International Space University. |
Canada is proud to be a member of this non-profit international
graduate program for space development and research. With its central
campus in Strasbourg, France, the philosophy of the International Space
University is that space programs cannot remain isolated activities
undertaken by a narrow community. It is the responsibility of all
cultures to contribute to humanity's space development by producing
innovative solutions to world problems. The basic concept behind
this program calls for a non-traditional approach to the education
of tomorrow's space professionals. Enrolment is restricted to graduate
students.
You can obtain more information by writing to: Canadian Foundation
for the International Space University (CFISU), c/o Ms. Lorna Vadzis,
AUCC, 350 Albert St., Suite 600, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1B1.
The CFISU Web site is www.isunet.edu.
Aerospace Careers
Academic Support
CSA offers academic support through scholarships and fellowships in various
fields to Canadian students. Learn about these great opportunities by reading the
following:
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