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What can I do with this degree?
PHYSICS
AREA: ASTRONOMY
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Teaching
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Research
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Writing
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Observatories
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Planetariums
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Science museums
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Nonprofit foundations
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Industry e.g., aerospace, scientific supply, mass media
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Federal government: National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Smithsonian
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Astrophysical Observatory, U.S. Naval
Observatory, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
STRATEGIES
Acquire excellent verbal and written communication
skills. Get involved in a research project. Develop a specialty area
of expertise and experience.
AREA: ACOUSTICAL PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
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Testing
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Government laboratories
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Nonprofit research centers
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Industry e.g., electronics, building design, medical instrumentation,
communications, engineering, noise pollution, sound recording,
film production
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: ASTROPHYSICS
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
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Research
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Design
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Astronautics
EMPLOYERS
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Government laboratories
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Research centers
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Airports
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Colleges and universities
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Commercial industry
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Space industry
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Observatories
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Planetariums
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Military
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: BIOPHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
EMPLOYERS
- Colleges and universities
- Government laboratories
- Nonprofit research centers
- Industry e.g., biotechnology, environment, pharmaceuticals
- Hospitals
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: FLUID AND PLASMA PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Government laboratories
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Government agencies
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Nonprofit research centers
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Industry e.g., automobile, jet engine, space vehicle design, controlled
fusion device design
STRATEGIES
Obtain a graduate degree (master's or
doctorate) for opportunities in industry or research.
AREA: GEOPHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
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Exploration
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Nonprofit research centers
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Federal government e.g., Coast and Geological Survey, U.S. Geological
Survey, Army Map Service, Naval Oceanographic Office
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Industry e.g., petroleum, mining, exploration
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Consulting firms
STRATEGIES
Specialize in geophysics or minor in
geology. Develop good background in mathematics, chemistry, engineering,
and physics. Maintain good physical condition.
AREA: HEALTH PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
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Monitoring/Inspection
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Government laboratories
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Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy,
Department of Public Health Service
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Nonprofit research centers
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Industry e.g., health physics instrumentation,
nuclear power, nuclear weapons,
radioisotope products, nuclear accelerators, nuclear
reactors
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Environmental firms
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Hospitals
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: MEDICAL PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Medical schools
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Hospitals
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Industry e.g., medical instrumentation
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Government laboratories
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Nonprofit research centers
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Government agencies
STRATEGIES
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Gain experience working in a hospital.
Develop a research specialty in a medical or health related area.
AREA: NUCLEAR PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
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Law
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Quality Control
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Operations and Maintenance
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
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Military
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Industry e.g., nuclear weapons, nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors,
nuclear instrumentation, radioisotope products
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Government laboratories and research
centers
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Government agencies e.g.,
Department of Defense,
Department of Energy
STRATEGIES
A master's degree is preferred for positions in industry. Develop excellent
laboratory skills. Acquire a strong mathematics and chemistry background.
AREA: OPTICAL PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
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Development
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Teaching
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Consulting
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Administration
EMPLOYERS
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Colleges and universities
-
Government laboratories
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Nonprofit research centers
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Industry e.g., medical scanners, eyeglasses, binoculars, microscopes,
lasers, holography, display technologies, x-ray, ultraviolet
spectra, fiber optics
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Federal agencies e.g., NASA,
Department of
Energy, Department of Defense
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: SCIENCE EDUCATION
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Teaching
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Computer Software Development
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Educational Research
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Writing and Editing
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Library and Information Sciences
EMPLOYERS
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Public school systems, K-12
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Private schools, K-12
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Publishing companies: books, magazines, videos
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Software developers
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Libraries
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: TECHNICAL
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Engineering
(Process and Testing)
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Quality Control
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Industrial Hygiene
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Design Development
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Technical Writing
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Computer Technology
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Research
EMPLOYERS
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Research and development firms
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Mining and petroleum companies
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Hospitals
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Engineering firms
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Professional and technical journals
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Government laboratories
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Manufacturing and processing firms
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Atomic and nuclear labs
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Government agencies e.g., Department of Commerce, Department of
Defense
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Television and radio stations
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Weather bureaus
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: SOLID STATE PHYSICS
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Basic
and Applied Research
-
Development
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Consulting
-
Teaching
-
Administration
EMPLOYERS
-
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
STRATEGIES
Obtain experience working with electronics
and computers. Request applicable job listings from the American
Institute of Physics.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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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.
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An undergraduate degree also provides a solid background for pursuing advanced
degrees in other employment areas such as law, business, accounting, or medicine.
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Be aware that expertise and experience in a specialty area are usually required
for employment opportunities directly related to physics.
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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.
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Some industries such as the manufacturers of electrical devices will train
in the specialty of the firm.
A bachelor's degree and state teacher certification are required for K-12 teaching
opportunities.
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Visit government laboratories or research centers. Talk with a physicist about
his/her profession and career path.
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Join relevant professional associations. Attend their meetings and read their
publications.
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Acquire excellent oral and written communication skills.
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Gain experience with tools, electronics, and machinery.
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Become familiar with government job application process for positions in federal,
state, or local government.
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