What can I do with this degree?
PHYSICS

AREAS
ASTRONOMY
Teaching
Research
Writing

EMPLOYERS
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

STRATEGIES
Acquire excellent verbal and written communication skills. Get involved in a research project. Develop a specialty area of expertise and experience.

AREAS
ACOUSTICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Testing

EMPLOYERS
Colleges and universities
Government laboratories
Nonprofit research centers
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.

AREAS
ASTROPHYSICS
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Research
Design
Astronautics

EMPLOYERS
Government laboratories
Research centers
Airports
Colleges and universities
Commercial industry
Space industry
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Observatories
Planetariums
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.

AREAS
BIOPHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
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.

AREAS
FLUID AND PLASMA PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration

EMPLOYERS
Colleges and universities
Government laboratories
Government agencies
Nonprofit research centers
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.

AREAS
GEOPHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Exploration

EMPLOYERS
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

STRATEGIES
Specialize in geophysics or minor in geology. Develop good background in mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and physics. Maintain good physical condition.

AREAS
HEALTH PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Monitoring/Inspection

EMPLOYERS
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

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.

AREAS
MEDICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration

EMPLOYERS
Colleges and universities
Medical schools
Hospitals
Industry e.g., medical instrumentation
Government laboratories
Nonprofit research centers
Government agencies

STRATEGIES
Gain experience working in a hospital. Develop a research specialty in a medical or health related area.

AREAS
NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration
Law
Quality Control
Operations and Maintenance

EMPLOYERS
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

STRATEGIES
A master's degree is preferred for positions in industry. Develop excellent laboratory skills. Acquire a strong mathematics and chemistry background.

AREAS
OPTICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research
Development
Teaching
Consulting
Administration

EMPLOYERS
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

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.

AREAS
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Teaching
Computer Software Development
Educational Research
Writing and Editing
Library and Information Sciences

EMPLOYERS
Public school systems, K-12
Private schools, K-12
Publishing companies: books, magazines, videos
Software developers
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.

AREAS
TECHNICAL
Engineering (Process and Testing)
Quality Control
Industrial Hygiene
Design Development
Technical Writing
Computer Technology
Research

EMPLOYERS
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

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.

AREAS
SOLID STATE PHYSICS

Basic and Applied Research
Development
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
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, accounting, or medicine.

Be aware that expertise and experience in a specialty area are usually required for employment opportunities directly related to physics.

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.

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.

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.

 

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer

 

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