Physics Careers
Physics is a generalist degree which means that it equips you with the skills and knowledge to be able to do almost anything. A bachelor’s physics degree is a passport into a wide range of careers in science, engineering, and technology including research, teaching, medicine, law, science journalism, science and energy policy, government, non-profit and finance.
Most importantly, even basic Physics training imparts essential problem-solving skills—“how to think”—which is the hallmark of a physicist.
Physicists get to:
- Explore the unifying principles that help us understand the universe and everything in it including time, space and the natural world.
- Invent and build groundbreaking technology.
- Help society and communities by discovering new science and applications of that science.
- Do interdisciplinary work like biophysics, epidemiology, education research, medical physics, sports physics, science journalism, data science, financial analysts, and more.
- Earn a good income and have multiple work opportunities in industry, academia, government, and non-profit.
“There is nothing that living things do that cannot be understood from the point of view that they are made of atoms acting according to the laws of physics.” – Richard P. Feynman.
Key Job Statistics
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) collects data on employment for physics majors and also provides some great career tools.
Where Can I Explore Physics Careers?
Below are some excellent websites where you can learn more:
- What You Can Do With a Physics Degree: US News article on the influence of physics on society and the types of physics jobs.
- Physics Careers: To the Bachelor’s Degree and Beyond: a presentation from AIP summarizing key statistics about physics jobs, career profiles and resources for getting a head start on finding a career.
- 12 Jobs for Physics Majors: a list of 12 very different careers, their salaries, and what they entail.
- Career Resources : a comprehensive resource for everything you need to find and prepare for jobs in physics by the American Institute of Physics and the Society of Physics Students.
- Profiles of Physicists: meet real physicists and learn what they do, what inspired them and what advice they have.
10 Famous People Who Studied Physics
- Jimmy Carter, former US President
- Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist
- Brian May, musician
- Angela Merkel, politician
- Elon Musk, entrepreneur
- Dara Ó Briain, comedian
- Ellen Ochoa, astronaut
- J. Robert Oppenheimer, theoretical physicist
- Sally Ride, astronaut
- Carl Sagan, astronomer
“I tend to approach things from a physics framework. And physics teaches you to reason from first principles rather than by analogy.” – Elon Musk
Branches of Physics
Since physicists are generalists, your area of specialization does not matter much. In pursuing your Bachelor’s degree, you may choose electives in an area of specialization but that does not restrict you from pursuing a different area in graduate school or in your job. In fact, physics majors may even go on to law, medical or business school after completing their studies.
- Classical Physics
- Modern Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Atomic Physics
- Geophysics
- Biophysics
- Mechanics
- Acoustics
- Optics
- Thermodynamics
- Astrophysics
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” – Carl Sagan
Physicists Help Others and Their Community
Contrary to popular stereotypes, physicists do not hide in a lab or office working alone on theoretical matters. Some may do as as theoretical physicists but many physicists work on real issues affecting society and our future as a human race.
Improving People’s Health
- Diagnosis and treatment of illness, for example:
- Cancer treatment using radiation, new nanobot technology to target individual cancer cells
- Body imaging using X-rays, ultrasound, NMR and PET scans
- New methods using infrared light to monitor our blood
Addressing Environmental Issues
- New renewable energy technology
- Climate change effects on humans, animals (e.g. penguin populations), and land (size of the Sahara Desert)
- Environmentally friendly transportation methods
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein