Actually I AM a Rocket Scientist..

Okay so that title is not strictly correct, I mean I am not an Aerospace Engineer and I am not wanting to upset my Geek brethren, however many people in the non-Geek world say "Rocket Scientist" when they mean Astrophysicist or other forms of Physicist.

But yes I am studying Astrophysics and Astronomy, Algebra, Calculus and various other forms of Physical Sciences, (specialising in Astrophysics). Now for some reason this seems to many to be an attempt by me to bamboozle and obfuscate. However I assure you it is nothing of the sort. When asked 'what do you do' ? Some people think I am making a Joke when I answer 'Astrophysics', others just think it is a lie and continue to question me as to what I really do.

But why ? Could it be that I don't fit what their idea of what a "Rocket Scientist" is and thus I couldn't
possibly be doing that 'for real'.

I'm a female, mature age, Autistic, Goth, Mother of five who also happens to be a Muslim and wears a headscarf.

So what does an Astrophysicist look like ? or any Physicist ?
It is reasoned that some of Prof Brian Cox's popularity with the general public is because he doesn't look like a Physics Professor. However I would argue that he does actually look like a Physics Professor because he is one and that's what he looks like !
Both my Physics and Astrophysics lecturers are young pretty Women with PhD's in their respective fields.
Brian May the lead guitarist for the band Queen is actually Dr May, as he too has a PhD in Astrophysics.

Now I am used to being stereotyped, people just assuming I don't speak English for example, even though I am an Anglo-Celtic British Citizen, however getting laughed at when you are just telling someone what you do is quite offensive and depressing and utterly annoying.

So next time you meet someone and they tell you they are a "Rocket Scientist" they might
just be telling the truth.

Perhaps I need one of these T-Shirts ?