Gov. Rick Scott visited Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday and announced his commitment to keeping space-based jobs in Florida. Some UF students and faculty said this was a welcome sign of support, but they are hesitant about whether it will bolster the job market.
Scott caused a stir last week when he said he wants to focus state university funding on science and math departments rather than liberal arts departments.
Peter Nguyen, a 22-year-old physics and astronomy senior, said the job market for space-related jobs in Florida looks strained. This summer's layoffs by a NASA shuttle contractor are discouraging, and it feels harder than ever to enter astronomy academia, he said.
"Generally the first things that are cut [from universities] are basic scientific research," he said. "And, unfortunately, that's generally what astronomy is."
Eric Podmeyer, a 22-year-old aerospace engineering senior, said the job market isn't looking up.
"A lot of us are just signing off and going to grad school because we can't find an aerospace job," he said. "The fact that he's trying to keep those jobs in Florida and help out the whole aerospace market is really encouraging."
Ata Sarajedini, UF professor of astronomy, said Scott's promises sound good, but it's hard to know whether they will result in a stronger job market.
"Many of our students actually end up leaving the state because there aren't such opportunities here," Sarajedini said. "So if opportunities end up opening up here, maybe they'll stay."
Eric Pheterson, a 23-year-old aerospace engineering senior, said it's encouraging to see a politician taking an interest in the field but said he's unsure anything will come of it soon.
"The way the government moves, I feel like nothing is going to be in place by the time I graduate," said Pheterson, who expects to graduate next semester. "Maybe in the long term I'll see more investment or more opportunities for jobs."
For Nguyen, a promise to revitalize the space industry months after NASA's shuttle program ended isn't enough.
"I think it's kind of too little too late," he said. "Now that the jobs are already gone, it's going to be hard to bring them back. ... I certainly hope that he does. It's always a benefit to our state."
