It's a common misconception that the only career path for physics students is to become a university professor. In reality, there are many exciting and rewarding jobs available to those with a degree in physics. From business analyst to patent lawyer, there are plenty of opportunities for those with a passion for physics. The Society of Physics Students (SPS) reports that approximately one of the six undergraduate students in the discipline obtains their doctorates; about 30% of them spend their careers in academia.
However, the American Institute of Physics (AIP) notes that nearly 50% of graduates who earn their bachelor's degree in physics go directly to the workforce and enjoy careers in medicine, engineering, computer science, military and other fields, often without further credentials. If you're looking for a career in physics, here are five exciting options to consider:
Physicist
Physicists use their knowledge of the physical world to conduct research and develop theories. They may work in laboratories or observatories, researching phenomena such as fluid flow, air turbulence, or heat transfer to help energy companies, biomedical companies, or aircraft manufacturers develop better processes and products. Most employers are looking for candidates with a bachelor's degree in physics, although those that focus on research will likely require a master's degree or higher.Patent Lawyer
Patent lawyers use their knowledge of physics to help inventors protect their intellectual property.They must be familiar with the laws governing patents and be able to interpret complex scientific concepts. Patent lawyers must have a law degree and pass the bar exam in order to practice law.
Lab Manager
Lab managers are responsible for the productivity and safety of lab environments. On a day-to-day basis, a lab manager can coordinate schedules, manage budget, communicate and maintain safety regulations, manage inventory, delegate tasks, and more. Lab managers typically have a bachelor's degree in physics or a related field.Meteorologist
If you can analyze weather conditions and prepare accurate weather forecasts, you can find opportunities in the broadcasting, agriculture, aviation and aerospace industries.Some meteorologists focus on investigating the causes of hurricanes or tornadoes or developing computational models of climate change. A bachelor's degree in physics is sufficient for some positions; those that focus on research will likely require a master's degree or higher.
Data Scientist
In a world that is replete with data, there is a great demand for people who can organize and analyze that data to obtain meaningful insights that solve business problems. Data scientists use their advanced quantitative capabilities to collect, synthesize and analyze large data sets. A postgraduate degree in physics can help you get started in this field. These are just five of the many exciting career paths available to those with a degree in physics.If you're looking for more ideas on what you can do with your degree, check out Careers by Specialty page on the SPS website. It offers plenty of ideas on a variety of career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience.
