Physics
What can I do with this major?
Acoustical Physics
Area
- Development
- Testing
- Consulting
- Administration
- Education
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Military
- Government laboratories
- Nonprofit research centers
- Industry e.g., electronics, building design, medical instrumentation, communications, engineering, noise pollution, petroleum, sound recording, film production
Information / Strategies
- Supplement program with courses in engineering, environmental science, urban planning, remote sensing, physiology, performing arts, audio broadcasting, speech communication, film production, or other areas of interest.
- Seek internship experience in your specialty area.
- Stay abreast of federal, state, and local environmental regulations for the environmental impact positions.
- Become familiar with technologies used to measure/ monitor noise levels.
- Obtain a graduate degree for additional opportunities in industry and education.
>Astronomy
Area
- Research
- Consulting
- Writing
- Public Relations
- Education
Employer
- Observatories
- Laboratories
- Planetariums
- Science museums
- Nonprofit foundations
- Colleges and universities
- Industry e.g., aerospace, scientific supply, computer software, remote sensing, communications
- Federal government: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Naval Observatory, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Information / Strategies
- Obtain experience through part-time or voluntary position in a planetarium, observatory, or science museum.
- Cultivate broad knowledge of astronomy and speaking skills for jobs working with the public.
- Develop strong writing skills for preparing scientific reports.
- Seek undergraduate research opportunities with professors in the field.
- Develop a specialty area of expertise such as remote sensing, instrumentation, computer applications, etc.
- Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research positions.
Astrophysics
Area
- Consulting
- Administration
- Research
Employer
- Research centers
- Colleges and universities
- Observatories
- Planetariums
- Aerospace industry
- Scientific supply industry
- Federal government: Military, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Airports
Information / Strategies
- Seek lab courses for direct experience with equipment and observatory tools.
- Participate in research with scholars in the field.
- Complete an internship with a research organization or related industry.
- Develop computer and oral and written communication skills.
- Learn to be effective in both independent research role and team environment.
- Earn an advanced degree for most teaching and research positions.
Biophysics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Consulting
- Administration
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Medical and dental schools
- Government laboratories
- Nonprofit research centers
- Industry e.g., biotechnology, environment, pharmaceuticals, food science, toxicology
- Hospitals
Information / Strategies
- Biophysics is considered an interdisciplinary field at the undergraduate level; most students prepare to enter by majoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics with supplementary courses in biology or by majoring in biology, biochemistry or molecular biology with supplementary courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Plan to specialize in an area such as experimental biophysics or computational biophysics and choose courses accordingly.
- Seek research experience through work with a professor or internships.
- Earn a bachelor's degree for most technician positions.
- Obtain advanced degree for higher-level positions in industry in academia.
Chemical Physics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Administration
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Government laboratories
- Government agencies
- Industry
Information / Strategies
- Take courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics for graduate school preparation in this interdisciplinary field.
- Seek undergraduate research experience to develop laboratory and computer skills.
- Gain research experience in both physics and chemistry.
- Become familiar with the various forms of spectroscopy.
- Obtain advanced degree for more opportunities in industry, research, or education.
Condensed Matter
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Consulting
- Administration
Employer
- Government laboratories
- Nonprofit research centers
- Colleges and universities
- Electronics industry e.g., microprocessors, magnetic imaging, communications, automobile, navigation/guidance systems
- Government agencies e.g., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Energy
Information / Strategies
- Develop strong mathematical, chemistry, and computer science skills.
- Seek research experience through internships or by assisting faculty with projects.
- Acquire advanced degree for opportunities in industry, research, or education.
- Become familiar with various forms of characterization techniques such as optical and electron spectroscopy and neutron scattering.
Engineering Physics
Area
- Engineering (Process and Testing)
- Quality Control
- Research
- Development
- Instrumentation
- Consulting
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Government laboratories
- Government agencies e.g., Department of Commerce, Department of Defense
- Engineering firms
- Manufacturing and processing firms
- Industry e.g. high technology, chemical, aerospace, agriculture, energy, fuel, computer, transportation
- Hospitals
Information / Strategies
- Choose a major in engineering physics or supplement physics major with engineering minor.
- Seek internship or co-op experience in area of interest.
- Develop strong oral and written communication skills.
- Complete applicable certification or licensure through professional organizations.
- Pursue advanced degree in engineering, engineering physics, or physics for increased opportunities.
Geophysics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Environmental Consulting
- Law
- Administration
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Nonprofit research centers
- Government e.g., State and Federal Geological Survey, Army Map Service, Naval Oceanographic Office
- Government laboratories
- Military
- Industry e.g., petroleum, mining, hydrogeology
- Consulting firms
- Law firms
Information / Strategies
- Specialize in geophysics at the undergraduate level or supplement physics degree with geology major or minor.
- Develop solid computer, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and physics knowledge.
- Seek experience with national labs or industry researching specializations of interest.
- Take business classes for increased marketability in advanced prospecting positions (risk analysis for drilling, mining, exploration).
- Maintain good physical condition and be open to travel.
Medical/Health Physics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Clinical Service
- Consulting
- Administration
- Monitoring
- Enforcement
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Government laboratories
- Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Health and Human Services
- Nonprofit research centers
- Industry e.g., medical instrumentation, nuclear power, nuclear accelerator, food sterilization, petroleum
- Environmental firms
- Hospitals, clinics, medical centers
Information / Strategies
- Gain experience with air and water testing techniques and analysis and radiation detection instruments.
- Develop strong communication skills for training radiation workers and members of the general public and for collaborating with physicians in healthcare settings.
- Maintain current knowledge of government standards and regulations.
- Learn medical uses of radiation for work in the healthcare industry.
- Seek certification from the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists for some positions.
- Complete a master's degree and certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) for health physicist positions.
- Earn a Ph.D. and certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) for top university teaching, research, and administrative positions.
- Gain experience at a hospital or clinic to prepare for work in healthcare settings; clinical residency training may be required.
Nuclear Physics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Consulting
- Instrumentation
- Administration
- Law
- Quality Control
- Operations and Maintenance
Employer
- Colleges and universities
- Military
- Industry e.g., security/weapons, nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors, nuclear instrumentation, radioisotope products, transportation, healthcare, environmental protection, food irradiation
- Government laboratories and research centers
- Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy
Information / Strategies
- Acquire a strong mathematics, computer science, and chemistry background.
- Choose a theoretical or experimental track.
- Seek internship experience in your specialty area.
- Pursue master's degree or Ph.D. for advanced positions in industry.
Optical Physics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Consulting
- Administration
Employer
- 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
Information / Strategies
- Gain experience in the optics field through internships or research with professors.
- Supplement program with courses in electricity, magnetism, quantum mechanics, and electronics.
- Obtain a master's degree for positions in industry.
- Understand lasing and optical media.
Particle/High Energy Physics
Area
- Basic and Applied Research
- Development
- Consulting
- Instrumentation
- Administration
- Operations and Maintenance
Employer
- Government laboratories
- Nonprofit research centers
- Colleges and universities
Information / Strategies
- Acquire a strong mathematics, computer science, and chemistry background.
- Choose a theoretical or experimental track.
- Seek internship experience in your specialty area.
- Pursue Ph.D. for advanced positions in academia.
Science Education
Area
- Teaching
- Computer Software Development
- Educational Research
- Writing and Editing
- Library and Information Sciences
Employer
- Public school systems, K-12
- Private schools, K-12
- Publishing companies: books, magazines, videos
- Software developers
- Libraries
Information / Strategies
- Physicists are interested in solving complex, technical problems.
- Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in the field. Schedule informational interviews to learn about the profession and specific career paths.
- Join relevant professional associations. Attend meetings and stay up-to-date on research/publications.
- Acquire excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Gain experience using scientific instruments and equipment. Computer skills are critical.
- Participate in summer research institutes. Submit research to local poster competitions or research symposiums.
- A willingness to relocate is helpful due to limited opportunities in specialized areas.
- A bachelor's degree will qualify for positions as research assistants, high-level technicians, or computer specialists, as well as nontechnical work in publishing or sales.
- An undergraduate degree also provides a solid background for pursuing advanced degrees in other employment areas such as law, business, or accounting.
- A graduate degree and post-graduate experience will allow for more responsibility and advancement in the field of physics.
- An earned doctorate is required for college or university teaching, advanced research, and administrative positions.
- A bachelor's degree and state teacher certification are required for K-12 teaching opportunities.
- Become familiar with government job application process for positions in federal, state, or local government.
General Information and Strategies
- Philosophy students develop many transferable skills that can be can be utilized in a variety of careers and jobs, demonstrating the flexibility and capacity for growth that employers find valuable. These skills include analytical, organizational, research, as well as oral and written communication skills.
- Other related skills that are attractive to employers are idea generation, problem formulation and problem solving, diverse data integration, adaptation to change, the ability to elicit hidden assumptions, persuasion, and summarization of complicated material.
- An undergraduate degree qualifies one for entry-level positions in business, nonprofit organizations, and government.
- Graduate and/or professional studies usually lead to careers in law, medicine, ministry, finance, psychology, counseling, diplomacy, ethics, and related areas.
- Ph.D. is required for college/university teaching and research.
- Concentrations with other areas can include mathematics, religion, science, history, women's studies, Eastern philosophy, and medical or business ethics.
- Develop aptitudes for analytical thinking, logic, and statistics in order to apply philosophy to a broad range of professions such as law, government, finance, management, consulting, and related areas.
- Join related student or professional organizations.
- Seek related summer or part-time work experience or internships in area(s) of interest.
- Take computer courses to increase employment opportunities.