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PHYSICS …
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Created: Mon Mar 23 02:02:35 1914
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PHYSICS
What can I do with this degree?
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
ASTRONOMY
Teaching Colleges and universities Acquire excellent verbal and written communication
Research Observatories skills.
Writing Planetariums Get involved in a research project.
Science museums Develop a speciality area of expertise and experience.
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
ACOUSTICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Supplement program with courses in psychology,
Development Government laboratories physiology, communications, political science,
Teaching Nonprofit research centers and sociology.
Consulting Industry e.g., electronics, building design, Obtain a graduate degree in physics for opportunities
Administration medical instrumentation, communications, in industry.
Testing engineering, noise pollution, sound recording, Maintain an interest in music, the arts and
film production humanities.
ASTROPHYSICS
Teaching Government laboratories Obtain experience through part-time or voluntary
Consulting Research centers position in a planetarium, observatory or science
Administration Airports museum.
Research Colleges and universities Complete an internship with a research organization or
Design Commercial industry related industry.
Astronautics Space industry Participate in research with scholars in the field.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contact the American Astronomical Society for more
Observatories information.
Planetariums
Military
(Physics, Page 2)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
BIOPHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Acquire information about state licensure required
Development Government laboratories for various types of technicians working in medical
Teaching Nonprofit research centers settings.
Consulting Industry e.g., biotechnology, environment, Gain experience as a laboratory assistant or hospital
Administration pharmaceuticals orderly.
Hospitals Volunteer at a hospital or clinic.
FLUID AND PLASMA PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Obtain a graduate degree (master's or doctorate)
Development Government laboratories for opportunities in industry or research.
Teaching Government agencies
Consulting Nonprofit research centers
Administration Industry e.g., automobile, jet engine, space vehicle
design, controlled fusion device design
GEOPHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Specialize in geophysics or minor in geology.
Development Nonprofit research centers Develop good background in mathematics,
Teaching Federal government e.g., Coast and Geological chemistry, engineering, and physics.
Consulting Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, Army Map Maintain good physical condition.
Administration Service, Naval Oceanographic Office
Exploration Industry e.g., petroleum, mining, exploration
Consulting firms
HEALTH PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Earn a Ph.D. and certification by the American Board
Development Government laboratories of Health Physics (ABHP) for top university
Teaching Government agencies e.g., Department of teaching, research and administrative positions.
Consulting Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Complete a master's degree and certification by the
Administration Public Health Service ABHP for professional health physicists positions.
Monitoring/Inspection Nonprofit research centers Specialize in health physics and obtain technician
Industry e.g., health physics instrumentation, certification from the National Registry of Radiation
nuclear power, nuclear weapons, radioisotope Protection.
products, nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors Acquire knowledge of government standards and
Environmental firms regulations.
Hospitals
(Physics, Page 3)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
MEDICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Gain experience working in a hospital.
Development Medical schools Develop a research speciality in a medical or health
Teaching Hospitals related area.
Consulting Industry e.g., medical instrumentation
Administration Government laboratories
Nonprofit research centers
Government agencies
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities A master's degree is preferred for positions in
Development Military industry.
Teaching Industry e.g., nuclear weapons, nuclear accelerators, Develop excellent laboratory skills.
Consulting nuclear reactors, nuclear instrumentation, Acquire a strong mathematics and chemistry
Administration radioisotope products background.
Law Government laboratories and research centers
Quality Control Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense,
Operations and Maintenance Department of Energy
OPTICAL PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Colleges and universities Obtain a master's degree for positions in industry.
Development Government laboratories Supplement program with courses in electricity,
Teaching Nonprofit research centers magnetism, quantum mechanics, and
Consulting Industry e.g., medical scanners, eyeglasses, electronics.
Administration binoculars, microscopes, lasers, holography, Get involved in an independent optics project during
display technologies, x-ray, ultraviolet spectra, senior year.
fiber optics
Federal agencies e.g., NASA, Department of
Energy, Department of Defense
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Teaching Public school systems, K-12 Gain experience working with young people through
Computer Software Development Private schools, K-12 volunteering and tutoring.
Educational Research Publishing companies: books, magazines, videos Work with after school programs and summer
Writing and Editing Software developers camps.
Library and Information Sciences Libraries 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.
(Physics, Page 4)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
TECHNICAL
Engineering (Process and Testing) Research and development firms Gain experience through internships or co-ops.
Quality Control Mining and petroleum companies Complete applicable certification or licensure through
Industrial Hygiene Hospitals professional organizations.
Design Development Engineering firms Gain knowledge about the field through
Technical Writing Professional and technical journals informational interviews with professionals.
Computer Technology Government laboratories Develop work habits that are systematic, precise,
Research Manufacturing and processing firms and patient.
Atomic and nuclear labs Develop a strong computer background.
Government agencies e.g., Department of Gain experience using scientific instruments and
Commerce, Department of Defense equipment.
Television and radio stations Pursue a graduate degree in engineering.
Weather bureaus
SOLID STATE PHYSICS
Basic and Applied Research Government laboratories Obtain experience working with electronics and
Development Nonprofit research centers computers.
Consulting Colleges and universities Request applicable job listings from the American
Teaching Electronics industry e.g., communications, Institute of Physics.
Administration automobile, computer, navigation/guidance
systems
Government agencies e.g., National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, Department of Defense
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 speciality 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 speciality 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. (1996, Revised 2003)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer