At school, we're currently getting career talks from the head of our secondary school. Naturally, I'm interested in looking into a similar field (though I wouldn't mind getting more into the enginerring side of sattelites etc). Anyway, I've been looking around and found this nice little site:
http://www.uq.edu.au/careers/?page=33948&pid=0
Gives a sorta basic outline, though its pretty much already been covered by everyone here
If your job books are anything like ours, you'll need to do some internet research. We have a hugely thick A4 paperback book on jobs for JUST Queensland. Under 'astronomer' they hardly give any details about what its all about. Though, you are supposed to do research into it anyway apparently.
I would recommend reading some books on the subject, as they can help you get a feel for what areas of astronomy you might be interested. I found my interest in the mechanical side of space by reading such books on MIR, Pathfinder, and the vast array of JPL missions to other moons.
Haha, go my spelling, they'll make me a spelling-olympics champion yet
