Physics JobsBusiness Analyst, Data Analyst, Engineer, Patent Lawyer, Physicist, Physics Researcher, Physics Teacher, Programmer. It's a common misconception that winning a role as a university professor is the most likely or realistic career path for physics students. Another myth is that those earning a bachelor's degree in physics need to get more credentials for their undergraduate degree to be useful. The Society of Physics Students (SPS) reports that approximately one of the six undergraduate students in the discipline obtains their doctorates; about 30% of them spend their careers in academia.
The AIP notes that nearly 50% of graduates who earn their bachelor's degree in physics go directly to the workforce and enjoy careers in medicine, engineering, computer science, military and other fields, often without further credentials. Once you know what type of position you are looking for, refine your strategy to achieve it. Meet with industry contacts you know, teachers, internship professionals, friends, family and other contacts. Consult professional societies and organizations, noting who you know among the members.
Ask your teachers and colleagues about industry partnerships. Check if you can attend a chapter event or a meeting as a guest. Those interested in a career in academia might consider becoming teachers. Beyond lecturing students, many professors conduct their own research, writing research papers, presenting in peer-reviewed journals, attending conferences, and more.
If you want to instruct students, but prefer a less research-focused role, a job as a high school physics teacher might be the best option for you. Although education is not the highest paying field, physics teachers tend to have a higher salary than others because of their specialized training. What's more, many education professionals consider it a very rewarding career. Lab managers are responsible for the productivity and safety of lab environments.
On a day-to-day basis, a lab manager can coordinate schedules, manage budget, communicate and maintain safety regulations, manage inventory, delegate tasks, and more. Join more than 1.5 million people we've introduced Awesome Schools to since 2001 Researching and developing safer or more efficient ways to generate nuclear power is one of the primary responsibilities of a nuclear physicist. This is one of the highest-paid physics races. You can conduct laboratory research, evaluate safety procedures at a nuclear power plant, design medical equipment, or conduct weapons inspections for the military.
Most of these positions require a doctorate. Are you curious about the confines of the universe? Astronomers use satellites and optical and space telescopes to study stars, planets and galaxies. They develop and explore theories about how stars form and how planets evolve. Most astronomers work in government research centers, although some spend much of their time in observatories.
As a materials scientist, he researches the structure and properties of natural and synthetic materials and finds new ways to improve or adapt them for different uses. That could involve designing better prosthetic devices, developing new types of paints, or using ultrasound to discover hidden defects in railroad tracks. You could work for universities, oil and gas companies, or computer manufacturers. If you can analyze weather conditions and prepare accurate weather forecasts, you can find opportunities in the broadcasting, agriculture, aviation and aerospace industries.
Some meteorologists focus on investigating the causes of hurricanes or tornadoes or developing computational models of climate change. A bachelor's degree in physics is sufficient for some positions; those that focus on research will likely require a master's degree or higher. In a world that is replete with data, there is a great demand for people who can organize and analyze that data to obtain meaningful insights that solve business problems. Data scientists use their advanced quantitative capabilities to collect, synthesize and analyze large data sets.
They could also develop new tools or processes for data collection. A postgraduate degree in physics can help you get started in this field. The use of computers to model and simulate the physical world is the task of computer scientists. The idea is to apply computing principles to scientific problems.
You can research phenomena such as fluid flow, air turbulence, or heat transfer to help energy companies, biomedical companies, or aircraft manufacturers develop better processes and products. Many employers are looking for candidates with a bachelor's degree in physics. Each Careers by Specialty page offers plenty of ideas on a variety of career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Helpful resources and working examples are also provided.
Many physics students become teachers of their discipline. Being a university professor is an excellent option for physicists, as you can nurture and inspire the next generation of physicists while conducting your own research. To get a job as a teacher at the post-secondary level, you'll need at least a master's degree, but you'll usually need a PhD for a full-time chair. Astronomers spend their days researching questions about the universe, stars, planets and beyond.
Its fundamental job is to observe and analyze how the universe works in observatories or from space stations. Most astronomers work in universities and work as professors in addition to conducting their research, but many are also employed by the federal government in organizations such as NASA or the Department of Defense. Education requirements vary by employer. While teaching positions in academia generally require a doctorate, federal government jobs are available to those with a bachelor's degree.
Nuclear engineers are experts in the field of nuclear science who use their expertise in a variety of capacities to advance our ability to harness nuclear energy. They often work on developing technologies that incorporate nuclear energy, which can be used in power plants or even in fields such as medicine, where nuclear technologies are sometimes used to diagnose and treat diseases. A degree in physics is usually not enough to find employment in the field. Aspiring nuclear engineers will need to demonstrate some kind of experience in nuclear science, so it's best to get a master's degree or even a doctorate in nuclear engineering or another branch of nuclear science.
Aerospace engineers are scientists who spend their days developing various technologies for use in airplanes, spaceships, rockets, satellites and missiles. They use their knowledge of physics, advanced mathematics and computer science to design, produce and test new aerospace technologies and ensure that they comply with regulatory guidelines. They generally specialize in aeronautical engineering (aeronautics) or astronautical engineering (spacecraft), and can be employed by a private aerospace manufacturer or the federal government. A bachelor's degree is usually enough to find entry-level positions in the field.
Research and development positions may require a master's degree or doctorate degree. Biophysicists use the principles of biology and physics to better understand biological processes. Some may work in basic research or applied research, developing new technologies such as drugs or drugs to treat diseases and infections. While some entry-level positions may be available to holders of bachelor's and master's degrees, most biophysicists work in research and development, which generally requires a doctorate.
Most doctors start their careers working as postdoctoral researchers. They can move on to work as university professors or continue working on private sector research. This usually requires about 12 years of study, so the road from a high school graduate to many jobs for physics majors can be long and frustrating. While money shouldn't drive all decisions, if you work in many of the best careers, including entry-level jobs for physics degrees, you can earn an exceptional salary.
An actuary, one of the most interesting entry-level jobs for the physics degree, is responsible for analyzing the financial cost of risk. Technically, there are higher-paying physics jobs that don't require previous professional experience. Like the universe itself, jobs for physics students encompass a multitude of incredible and unexpected possibilities. When you think of entry-level work for physics students, you probably think of extremely intelligent university professors who work in advanced laboratories, make complex mathematical equations, and explore the outer regions of human understanding.
From entry-level jobs for physics students to physics careers requiring advanced doctorates, there is room for any type of education in this exciting field. Top ten jobs also include IT business analyst, systems architect and designer, high school professional, physical scientist, financial and investment analyst and advisor, and engineering professional. When you have a physics degree, jobs in areas such as engineering, healthcare, finance, manufacturing and technology become possibilities for you. When you're ready to start your job search, it's helpful to view the list of companies that hire physicists.
Data scientists are tasked with analyzing, interpreting and obtaining actionable information from large amounts of data, making it a perfect job for physics students with a strong quantitative background. Many positions are open to individuals with physics degrees, although you may need special security clearance for some defense-related jobs. With an exceptional salary, relatively low education requirements, and no required experience, this is one of the best entry-level jobs for physics students. In fact, a study of recent graduates with a degree in physics working in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics found that more than 80 percent of them were satisfied with their work.
. .
