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