Like every main character of The Big Bang Theory, Raj Koothrappali, the astrophysicist of the group, has had many ups and downs throughout his career at Caltech, with the highest of the highs including discovering planets and pursuing his love of music and the lowest of the lows involving Sheldon Cooper.
Thankfully, Raj hasn't been at the mercy of Sheldon's job-related ridicule as much as Howard has but the two have definitely clashed before. However, at the end of the show, Raj finds his place at the planetarium where he can hopefully look back and laugh on both the good and bad times of his professional life.
BEST: Challenging The Planetarium Refusal
In season 11's, "The Confidence Erosion," Raj obtains a new level of confidence as he takes a break from his and Howard's friendship after he realizes that Howard makes fun of him constantly, lowering his self-esteem.
As part of this newfound confidence, Raj applies for a job at the planetarium but is initially refused. Uncharacteristically, Raj contacts them and says they are making a huge mistake not hiring him. They end up being so impressed that they give him the job (the other candidate was also no longer being available).
WORST: Working For Sheldon
In season 3's "The Pirate Solution," Raj loses his grant money, which puts his visa in jeopardy as it is only valid as long as he is employed. Sheldon's solution is to have him work for him. Safe to say it wasn't an easy ride, with Raj continuously trying to lighten the mood at work and Sheldon shutting all of his jokes down.
When Raj tries to be helpful, Sheldon disagrees and the two argue before Raj quits. Sheldon appears at Raj's apartment saying Raj was right and rehires him. Although Raj ended the episode still employed, fans aren't convinced that working for someone like Sheldon, who belittles almost everyone's research but his own, was a great career choice.
BEST: Starting A Band With Howard
In season 9 episode 4, "The 2003 Approximation," Raj and Howard start a band called Footprints on the Moon, a duo that consists of Raj on guitar and Howard on keys.
The band's setlist included many hits such as "Hammer and Whip", "Sherlock Around The Clock," and "Let's Get Astrophysical." The band has so far played at Stuart's comic book store, a bar mitzvah, and has also been the house band for Sheldon's "Fun With Flags" show. Even though the gigs haven't paid well, everyone knows the key to a successful career is to do something enjoyable.
WORST: Announcing The Existence Of Alien Life
In season 12 episode 20, "The Decision Reverberation," Raj publishes a paper where he mentions that alien life on other planets is possible. While answering a Q&A at the planetarium, he begins to get ridiculed.
Even though Raj tries to clarify that as a scientist he can't rule out possibilities, many people naturally spin his words which gives him a "silly" reputation of believing in aliens and the Loch Ness monster. Raj is within his right to suggest the possibility of aliens, but the twisting of one's words is something to always be considered when in a position of influence.
BEST: Giving Penny Co-Discovery Credit
In season 11 episode 21, "The Comet Polarisation," while looking through a telescope on the roof, Penny discovers a brand new comet and Raj takes the credit for the discovery knowing that it will be detrimental to his career if Penny has credit, given that she is not a scientist.
After Penny confronts him, Raj decides to give her shared credit after all. This was definitely a great decision as if it was ever discovered that Raj stole the credit from one of his best friends, it could ruin his career and reputation more than sharing credit in the first place.
WORST: Getting Drunk And Sexually Harassing A Colleague
Raj's requirement to drink alcohol to talk to women has not just affected his social life but has also crept its way into his working life, too. Raj decides to work with Professor Laughlin on stellar evolution, and one of the other team members is a woman, meaning that Raj won't be able to communicate with her unless he has an alcoholic drink.
When the two meet, Raj takes a drink and ends up making a very inappropriate comment towards Dr. Catherine Millstone, resulting in her filing a sexual harassment claim against him.
BEST: Discovering "Planet Bollywood"
Raj was notably responsible for discovering a planetary body just beyond the Kuiper Belt, an object that he called "Planet Bollywood."
This secured Raj a place in People's "30 Under 30 to Watch" list. Through his work on the Kuiper belt, he has also been awarded a Newcomb medal. Both of these achievements are certainly the highlights of his career.
WORST: Following Sheldon To The North Pole
In season 2 episode 23, "The Monopolar Expedition," Sheldon accepts an invitation to work at the North Pole and insists that Raj, Leonard, and Howard accompany him.
With Sheldon being so insufferable, as well as the team never actually proving the existence of magnetic monopoles, which was the entire purpose of the trip, it's safe to say that nothing about this trip panned out well for Raj.