What Can I Do With A Major In Physics?

Career related data:

• The federal government and scientific research and development services firms employ about three-fifths of all physicists and astronomers.
• Most positions are in research and development, and normally require an advanced degree (PhD or masters). Physicists who have only a bachelor’s degree can qualify for positions as technicians or research assistants.
• Although many students who earn a bachelors degree in physics go on to obtain higher degrees, these higher degrees are not necessarily in physics. A bachelors degree in physics (or an associated option) is an excellent preparation and foundation for advanced degrees in:
• Engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil, aeronautical, computer, etc.)
• Health related fields (medical, dental, optometry, physical therapy, etc.)
• Law school.
• Other scientific fields (chemistry, geology, biology, computer, atmospheric, materials, mathematics, oceanography, etc.)

• Sub-disciplines of physics include: Applied Physics, Optics & Photonics, Materials Science, Atomic & Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter Physics (sometimes called Solid State Physics), Nuclear Physics, Atmospheric and Space Physics, Biophysics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Particles & Fields (sometimes called Elementary Particle Physics), and Medical Physics.

More than most other majors, physics is a passport into a broad range of science, engineering, and education careers. Where you are likely to work will differ by your degree level. The majority of physics bachelors work in the private sector compared to only about one-quarter of physics PhDs. In academia, most physics bachelors and masters teach in high schools, while virtually all university and 4-year college positions are held by PhDs. The other sector that employs a large number of people with physics backgrounds is the government including federal agencies, government laboratories, state and local government, and the military. The most common occupations differ by where they work, but few physics bachelors have the title, physicist. In large part, this is because most physics bachelors work in the private sector and, unlike other sciences, there is no "physics" industry; physics is used in nearly all industries. Among the most common occupations are engineer and computer scientist. Many physics bachelors also teach science in secondary schools. Over time, physics bachelors are often promoted into positions that involve managing projects, people, and budgets.

Hidden physicists are people with a physics background, but without a typical physics job. Nearly 90% of all physicists are hidden physicists. This web site has dozens of testimonials from hidden physicists from a wide variety of fields: http://www.spsnational.org/cup/hidden.html

Physicists and astronomers held about 14,000 jobs in 2002. Jobs for astronomers accounted for only 7 percent of the total. Nearly one-third of physicists and astronomers worked for scientific research and development services firms. The Federal Government employed 29 percent, mostly in the U.S. Department of Defense, but also in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and in the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Energy. Other physicists and astronomers worked in colleges and universities in non-faculty, usually research, positions, or for state governments, information technology companies, pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies, or electronic equipment manufacturers. Besides the jobs described above, many physicists and astronomers held faculty positions in colleges and universities. Although physicists and astronomers are employed in all parts of the country, most work in areas in which universities, large research and development laboratories, or observatories are located.