Welcome to your birth!
You don't have any choices to make here, because some of them have been made for you.
Becoming a scientist or an astronomer requires a complex mix of Nature versus Nurture issues.
Your genetic predisposition to being curious about your world, asking questions, looking for answers, and
not having one of many debilitating physical or mental conditions, will set the stage for your steady
progress to a career, in the shortest amount of time.
Reaching your goal of a Ph.D in astronomy or a related subject requires an extraordinary set of skills. A nurturing and supportive environment is a
big help in strengthening them, but just as not all people are cut out to be a star athlete or concert pianist, so too are scientists unique
individuals.
Most PhD's in astronomy are granted by the age of 30, so you will be spending most of your life just learning the skills needed to succeed in this
highly-competitive field. There are only 6000 astronomers in the United States, and only a few hundred job vacancies each year as astronomers retire.
Only afterwards will you be a full-fledged professional astronomer, but even then, life can place hurdles in
your way for you to overcome, and remain a productive and enthusiastic researcher!
