Looking for a career as an astronomer? Sigma Pi Sigma is for you!

Founded in 1921 at Davidson College in North Carolina, Sigma Pi Sigma honors students excelling in physics, many of whom move on to careers as clinical scientists, geophysicists, astronomers, meteorologists, and research scientists. 

According to their website, “Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics; to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public; to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Sigma Pi Sigma’s mission is not completed in the induction ceremony with the recognition of academic accomplishment. In the four dimensions of Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship, the mission of Sigma Pi Sigma takes a longer view.

In order to qualify for membership, students must attend a recognized college/university that offers a strong physics major. Each chapter has its own requirements, but generally, students must be in the top one-third of his/her class with a higher minimum average in physics classes.

Benefits of membership include access to federal employment benefits, acceptance to online networking communities, and entrance to PhysCon -- a large physics conference.

There are currently 460 chapters of Sigma Pi Sigma and 90,000 members nationwide. You’ll recognize them on graduation day by their hunter green and white honor cords.

Are you a member of Sigma Pi Sigma? Let us know in the comments!

Photo by Tra Nguyen on Unsplash