--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a mistake to pursue a career in…" description: "\"“It was a mistake to pursue a career in high altitude professional astronomy.”\" — Steven Magee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg" --- # It was a mistake to pursue a career in high altitude… ![“It was a mistake to pursue a career in high altitude professional astronomy.” quote by Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg) > ““It was a mistake to pursue a career in high altitude professional astronomy.”” [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He regrets choosing high‑altitude professional astronomy, suggesting it was a career mistake. **In simple terms:** He calls his astronomy career a mistake. Key Takeaway Reevaluate career choices against personal fulfillment. Themes career science regret Mood reflective somber Type career personal When to use this quote - job interviews - career counseling - personal decisions Key Concepts career satisfaction risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What factors lead to career regret? - How can one pivot after a misaligned career? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Hawaii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hawaii/) [Kea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kea/) [Mauna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mauna/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) ## Related quotes > [“There was no management training in high altitude professional astronomy that covered the long-term health effects that were appearing in their mal-acclimatized staff.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/there-was-no-management-training-in-high-altitude-professional/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“High altitude professional astronomy is a hypoxic job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/high-altitude-professional-astronomy-is-a-hypoxic-job/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Plastic bottles of Gatorade were given free to very high altitude workers on Mauna Kea and they were advised to drink it while on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/plastic-bottles-of-gatorade-were-given-free-to-very-high-altitude/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“When I worked in high altitude astronomy, the worst sickness that I experienced was not at the 13,796 feet very high altitude summit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/when-i-worked-in-high-altitude-astronomy-the-worst-sickness-that-i/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“When I saw how many people were objecting to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea, I realized that there needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/when-i-saw-how-many-people-were-objecting-to-the-construction-of-the/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Very high altitude workers were using medical oxygen to treat numerous health conditions that included fatigue, confusion, headaches, feeling faint and digestive issues.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/very-high-altitude-workers-were-using-medical-oxygen-to-treat/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“It was common to drink from plastic bottles and cans in high altitude astronomy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-was-common-to-drink-from-plastic-bottles-and-cans-in-high-altitude/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I consider myself fortunate that I spent three years working at 7,775 feet before spending five years working at 13,796 feet on the summit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-consider-myself-fortunate-that-i-spent-three-years-working-at-7-775/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“At the W.M. Keck Observatory on the very high altitude summit of Mauna Kea, there was no routine monitoring of mental functioning, blood oxygen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/at-the-w-m-keck-observatory-on-the-very-high-altitude-summit-of-mauna/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“At the age of 45, most days in Tucson were spent feeling like I was on the summit of Mauna Kea, as I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/at-the-age-of-45-most-days-in-tucson-were-spent-feeling-like-i-was-on/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The only known way for a sea level adapted human to avoid lifelong high altitude induced disease is to not venture to high altitudes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-only-known-way-for-a-sea-level-adapted-human-to-avoid-lifelong/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Research suggests that sea level adapted humans that work at the very high altitude 13,796 feet summit of Mauna Kea may eventually develop sleep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/research-suggests-that-sea-level-adapted-humans-that-work-at-the-very/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The following information really should be placed on all very high altitude job adverts and company contracts: WARNING – Very high altitude commuting presents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-following-information-really-should-be-placed-on-all-very-high/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I have memories from my time in high altitude astronomy of being euphoric and giddy after discharging large amounts of industrial gas into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-have-memories-from-my-time-in-high-altitude-astronomy-of-being/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“When discharging industrial gas into the indoor environment in high altitude astronomy, we never wore protective breathing respirators that fed us oxygenated air at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/when-discharging-industrial-gas-into-the-indoor-environment-in-high-2/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) ## More by Steven Magee > [“The global population of Earth are involved in the following corporate government experiments: The long term effects of - 1. Nuclear bomb fallout radiation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-global-population-of-earth-are-involved-in-the-following/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The police ultimately pay the price for poor customer service when citizens become fearful of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-police-ultimately-pay-the-price-for-poor-customer-service-when/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“It is unnatural to fear something natural.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-is-unnatural-to-fear-something-natural/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The world is witnessing one of the greatest frauds the Florida government has ever engaged in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-world-is-witnessing-one-of-the-greatest-frauds-the-florida/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is largely an interrogation agency for whistle-blowers that extracts their full range of knowledge without upholding their legal rights.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/occupational-safety-health-administration-osha-is-largely-an/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The medical profession is a money making con, they will keep you sick on a variety of expensive prescriptions and on a yo-yo into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-medical-profession-is-a-money-making-con-they-will-keep-you-sick/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“There is a time and place for electromagnetic shielding and I regard it as a last resort due to the long term biological problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/there-is-a-time-and-place-for-electromagnetic-shielding-and-i-regard/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“To riot or not to riot, that is the question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/to-riot-or-not-to-riot-that-is-the-question/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Publicly telling the truth on social media can be one of the most effective healing journeys.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/publicly-telling-the-truth-on-social-media-can-be-one-of-the-most/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The W. M. Keck Observatory is the only employer that has surprised me during my employment with urine tests for illegal drugs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-w-m-keck-observatory-is-the-only-employer-that-has-surprised-me/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I will do everything I legally can to shut down the toxic Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project atop Mauna Kea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-will-do-everything-i-legally-can-to-shut-down-the-toxic-thirty/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The difference between President Trump and Steven Magee? Steven Magee publicly acknowledges his mental illnesses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-difference-between-president-trump-and-steven-magee-steven-magee/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“There were a lot of stressed out people in the company as we were discovering how dangerous the DeSoto Solar Farm was!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/there-were-a-lot-of-stressed-out-people-in-the-company-as-we-were/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Interacting with a corrupt government judge is futile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/interacting-with-a-corrupt-government-judge-is-futile/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I knew I was disabled when everyday home activities became overwhelming!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-knew-i-was-disabled-when-everyday-home-activities-became/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) [Explore all 1,204 Steven Magee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) ## More Altitude quotes > [Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/change-your-attitude-and-gain-some-altitude-believe-me-you-ll-love-it/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“I will do everything I legally can to shut down the toxic Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project atop Mauna Kea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-will-do-everything-i-legally-can-to-shut-down-the-toxic-thirty/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I knew I was disabled when everyday home activities became overwhelming!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-knew-i-was-disabled-when-everyday-home-activities-became/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Over 275,000 people had signed to end the construction of the TMT telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatories (MKO) by week 20 of the protest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/over-275-000-people-had-signed-to-end-the-construction-of-the-tmt/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The toxicity of medical and industrial gas to the human depends on where it is used. A gas that is regarded as safe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-toxicity-of-medical-and-industrial-gas-to-the-human-depends-on/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/it-is-not-your-aptitude-but-your-attitude-that-determines-your/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [“Summit Lag occurs when a summit worker is kept in a permanent state of mal-acclimatization.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/summit-lag-occurs-when-a-summit-worker-is-kept-in-a-permanent-state/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“My interest in astronomy took me to the premier astronomical observatories in the world before I developed occupational diseases and became disabled at age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/my-interest-in-astronomy-took-me-to-the-premier-astronomical/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall - it's great when you stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-darwin/climbing-at-altitude-is-like-hitting-your-head-against-a-brick-wall/) Chris Darwin > [Attitude and not the Aptitude decide the Altitude you reach in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/attitude-and-not-the-aptitude-decide-the-altitude-you-reach-in-life/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [“Plastic bottles of Gatorade were given free to very high altitude workers on Mauna Kea and they were advised to drink it while on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/plastic-bottles-of-gatorade-were-given-free-to-very-high-altitude/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [With the altitude in the Rocky Mountains, the ball jumps off your foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-tucker/with-the-altitude-in-the-rocky-mountains-the-ball-jumps-off-your-foot/) [Justin Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-tucker/) > [I believe it is our attitude that determines our altitude. It is our attitude that allows us to soar above those things that would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/i-believe-it-is-our-attitude-that-determines-our-altitude-it-is-our/) [T. D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes/) > [“It's your ATTITUDE not your APTITUDE that ultimately determines your ALTITUDE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-your-attitude-not-your-aptitude-that-ultimately-determines-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Poor diet combined with high altitude exposures may bring increased risks of illnesses and cancers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/poor-diet-combined-with-high-altitude-exposures-may-bring-increased/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) Browse all 214 Altitude quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It was a mistake to pursue a career in high altitude professional astronomy.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Magee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-high-altitude-professional/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Altitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-high-altitude-professional/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/steven-magee-129_altitude_it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-h_2577262.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was a mistake to pursue a career in high altitude professional astronomy.” — Steven Magee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Steven Magee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It was a mistake to pursue...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-high-altitude-professional/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-was-a-mistake-to-pursue-a-career-in-high-altitude-professional/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```