AAS Statistics and the “60% Cohort” Kevin B. Marvel Deputy Executive Officer American Astronomical Society

Topics Becoming part of the workforce Trends in employment openings Where do astronomers work? The changing AAS

Rule Number 1 Only YOU, the job seeker, is responsible for finding a job, not me, not “the world,” not your mom…YOU! –Resume databases provide a false sense of active searching –Passive application is useless –You must stand out to get hired –Customize everything job by job

The AAS is here to help Job Centers at every meeting Career workshops at winter meetings Sessions and speakers on career issues Networking opportunities galore Newsletter articles on employment issues Non-academic career information Advocates on career issues

Job Register Statistics

Where AAS Members Work

The changing AAS Initial survey of membership First action by Working Group on the Status of Women in Astronomy, established August ,800 sample size, 27% response rate Overall female membership was only 8% Evidence for ‘youth peak’ for women Women prize winners and AAS leadership numbers low relative to % membership

Demographics

The AAS Complete membership survey –Expensive ~ $25,000 in 1990 dollars Response rate good : 42% –Implies reliability of +/- 1.6% Overall female membership increased since 1973 –12.6% vs. 8% More young female members than male –Peak of age distribution ~ 30 vs. 45

Demographics – 1990

The AAS Partial Membership Survey –30% response rate, ~1,000 member sample Overall female membership increased –16.5% vs. 12.6% (1990 Membership Survey) Number of women shows episodic growth –Causes?

Demographics

Demographics 2003 Snapshot of AAS membership database as of 6/23/03 Includes all US member types except publisher affiliates: Lifetime, Emeritus, Full, Associate, Junior, Division, Division Affiliates Birth date is optional information provided at time of joining => total sample is 5,962

Demographics 2003

Demographics

Demographics 2004 Snapshot of membership database last week as of 5/29/04 Includes all US member types except publisher affiliates: Lifetime, Emeritus, Full, Associate, Junior, Division Birth date is optional information provided at time of joining => total sample is 5,312

Demographics 2004

Conclusions Winter meetings best for job searching Jobs available, slight downturn in JR advertising recently, recovering AAS demographics changing dramatically Overall gender parity in 15 years Ongoing data gathering –Demographics –Job advertisements –Job centers