Career Programs and Student Development

Explore - What Can I Do with This Major?

Physics

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AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
ASTRONOMY
Teaching
Research
Writing
  • Colleges and universities
  • Observatories
  • Planetariums
  • Science museums
  • Nonprofit foundations
  • Industry e.g., aerospace, scientific supply, mass media
  • Federal government
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • U.S. Naval Observatory
  • U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Acquire excellent verbal and written communication
skills.
Get involved in a research project.
Develop a speciality area of expertise and experience.
 
ACOUSTICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Testing
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government laboratories
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Industry e.g., electronics, building design, medical instrumentation, communications, engineering, noise pollution, sound recording, film production
  • Supplement program with courses in psychology, physiology, communications, political science, and sociology.
 Obtain a graduate degree in physics for opportunities
in industry.
Maintain an interest in music, the arts and humanities.
 
ASTROPHYSICS
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Research
Design
Astronautics
  • Government laboratories
  • Research centers
  • Airports
  • Colleges and universities
  • Commercial industry
  • Space industry
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Observatories
  • Planetariums
  • Military
 Obtain experience through part-time or voluntary position in a planetarium, observatory or science
museum.
Complete an internship with a research organization or related industry.
Participate in research with scholars in the field.
Contact the American Astronomical Society for more information.
 

BIOPHYSICS

Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government laboratories
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Industry e.g., biotechnology, environment,
    pharmaceuticals
  • Hospitals
 Acquire information about state licensure required for various types of technicians working in medical
settings.
Gain experience as a laboratory assistant or hospital orderly.
Volunteer at a hospital or clinic.
 
FLUID AND PLASMA PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government laboratories
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Industry e.g., automobile, jet engine, space vehicle
    design, controlled fusion device design
 Obtain a graduate degree (master's or doctorate) for opportunities in industry or research.
 
GEOPHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Exploration
  • Colleges and universities
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Federal government e.g., Coast and Geological
    Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, Army Map
    Service, Naval Oceanographic Office
  • Industry e.g., petroleum, mining, exploration
  • Consulting firms
 Specialize in geophysics or minor in geology.
Develop good background in math, chemistry, engineering, and physics.
Maintain good physical condition.
 
HEALTH PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Monitoring/Inspection
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government laboratories
  • Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Public Health Service
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Industry e.g., health physics instrumentation, nuclear power, nuclear weapons, radioisotope products, nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors
  • Environmental firms
  • Hospitals
 Earn a Ph.D. and certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) for top university teaching, research and administrative positions.
Complete a master's degree and certification by the ABHP for professional health physicists positions.
Specialize in health physics and obtain technician certification from the National Registry of Radiation Protection.
Acquire knowledge of government standards and regulations.
 
MEDICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
  • Colleges and universities
  • Medical schools
  • Hospitals
  • Industry e.g., medical instrumentation
  • Government laboratories
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Government agencies
 Gain experience working in a hospital.
Develop a research speciality in a medical or health related area.
 
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Law
Quality Control
Operations and Maintenance
  • Colleges and universities
  • Military
  • Industry e.g., nuclear weapons, nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors, nuclear instrumentation,
    radioisotope products
  • Government laboratories and research centers
  • Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense,
    Department of Energy
 A master's degree is preferred for positions in
industry.
Develop excellent laboratory skills.
Acquire a strong mathematics and chemistry background.
 
OPTICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government laboratories
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Industry e.g., medical scanners, eyeglasses,
    binoculars, microscopes, lasers, holography,
    display technologies, x-ray, ultraviolet spectra,
    fiber optics
  • Federal agencies e.g., NASA, Department of Energy, Department of Defense
 Obtain a master's degree for positions in industry.
Supplement program with courses in electricity, magnetism, quantum mechanics, and electronics.
Get involved in an independent optics project during senior year.
 
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Teaching
Computer Software Development
Educational Research
Writing and Editing
Library and Information Sciences
  • Public school systems, K-12
  • Private schools, K-12
  • Publishing companies: books, magazines, videos
  • Software developers
  • Libraries
 Gain experience working with young people through volunteering and tutoring.
Work with after school programs and summer
camps.
Acquire appropriate state teacher certification for
K-12 teaching opportunities.
Visit schools and observe classrooms.
Create a portfolio of science experiments and
activities.
Become skilled in the use of computers.
Earn a graduate degree in information science.
 
TECHNICAL
Engineering (Process and Testing)
Quality Control
Industrial Hygiene
Design Development
Technical Writing
Computer Technology
Research
  • Research and development firms
  • Mining and petroleum companies
  • Hospitals
  • Engineering firms
  • Professional and technical journals
  • Government laboratories
  • Manufacturing and processing firms
  • Atomic and nuclear labs
  • Government agencies e.g., Department of Commerce, Department of Defense
  • Television and radio stations
  • Weather bureaus
 Gain experience through internships or co-ops.
Complete applicable certification or licensure through professional organizations.
Gain knowledge about the field through
informational interviews with professionals.
Develop work habits that are systematic, precise,
and patient.
Develop a strong computer background.
Gain experience using scientific instruments and
equipment.
Pursue a graduate degree in engineering.
 
SOLID STATE PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Consulting
Teaching
Administration
  • Government laboratories
  • Nonprofit research centers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Electronics industry e.g., communications,
    automobile, computer, navigation/guidance
    systems
  • Government agencies e.g., National Aeronautics and
    Space Administration,
  • Department of Defense
 Obtain experience working with electronics and computers.
Request applicable job listings from the American Institute of Physics.
 

GENERAL INFORMATION
A bachelor's degree will qualify for positions as research assistants, high level technicians, or computer specialists, or sales.
An undergraduate degree also provides a solid background for pursuing advanced degrees in other employment medicine.
Be aware that expertise and experience in a speciality area are usually required for employment opportunities
A graduate degree and post-graduate experience will allow for more responsibility and advancement in the field
An earned doctorate is required for college or university teaching, advanced research, and administrative positions.
Some industries such as the manufacturers of electrical devices will train in the speciality of the firm.
A bachelor's degree and state teacher certification are required for K-12 teaching opportunities.
Visit government laboratories or research centers. Talk with a physicist about his/her profession and career path.
Join relevant professional associations. Attend their meetings and read their publications.
Acquire excellent oral and written communication skills.
Gain experience with tools, electronics, and machinery.
Become familiar with government job application process for positions in federal, state, or local government.
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