What can I do with this degree?
PHYSICS
AREAS
ASTRONOMY
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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