Best Jobs and Career: Whether you’re making subject choices at school or college, a physicist considering professional registration as your career progresses, or an IOP member looking for CPD support, you can find information and search tips as you read on.
Physics is a very nice course and as such, you don’t need to carry your file about tirelessly in search of a job, just try to read this article to the end.
Job Search Tips for Physics Majors
Once you know what kind of role, you’re after, refine your strategy for getting it. Work and grow your network. Meet with contacts you know in the industry-professors, professionals you met during internships, friends, family members, and other contacts.
Check out professional societies and organizations, noting who you know among the membership. Ask your professors and peers about industry associations. See if you can attend a chapter event or a meeting as a guest. Then aim to make connections.
In the same way, see what your university offers in terms of alumni connections. This can be a rich resource for . Be open to mentorship, informational interviews, and internship opportunities. All stand to help you learn more about what you want and what options are available to you.
Update your profile online, and research companies and open positions. Cultivate an informed sense of what positions and companies you’re targeting. This way, when you get the chance to talk with contacts in your network, you can ask specific questions.
your professional candidacy package. You want to be poised and ready when an opportunity presents itself, so have your materials ready to go.
Required Skills for Physics Majors
(APS) describes the skillset that physics majors cultivate: “Given that physics is one of the broadest scientific disciplines, in the course of receiving a physics degree most students develop with a great variety of scientific instruments and techniques. These kinds of ‘hard skills’ are what make physicists so attractive to employers in physics, engineering, and computer science fields.”
Some of the particulars they mention:
- Research and problem solving
- Fluency in using scientific equipment
- Refined mathematical skills
- Programming
- Modeling and simulation
- Quality control protocol
Additionally, the APS points out that soft skills are also vital to this work. Budding professionals should be mindful of those while training at the university. Soft skills include:
- Cultivating strategic written and oral communication skills
- Learning to work well on a team
- Being a good listener
Think About These Jobs For Physics Major
If you have the skills and the work ethic to earn a degree in physics, you can look forward to an exciting career that’s rich with options and possibilities. It’s a great time to pursue a degree in physics!
1. Physicist
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Nashville, TN; , PA; Gainesville, FL; Greenville, MS; Hiram, GA; Johnson City, TN; Lansing, MI; Livermore, CA;
Job Description:
Physicists and astronomers study how various forms of matter and energy interact. Theoretical physicists and astronomers may study the nature of time or the origin of the universe. Some design and perform experiments with sophisticated equipment such as particle accelerators, electron microscopes, and lasers.
2. Data Scientist
Top Locations:
New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Dallas, TX; Palo Alto, CA; , CA; Seattle, WA; Austin, TX; Cambridge, MA;
Job Description:
The computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science, and other fields.
3. Analyst
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Detroit, MI; Washington, DC; Austin, TX; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; Dallas, TX;
Job Description:
Management analysts, often called management consultants, propose ways to improve the efficiency of an organization. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.
4. Research Assistant
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Ann Arbor, MI; Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; San Diego, CA;
Job Description:
A Research Assistant helps carry out a particular research agenda. They are generally found in the social science or laboratory setting.
5. Engineering Internship
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA; Dallas, TX; San Jose, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA;
Job Description:
Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers to plan, design, and build highways, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They also help to plan, design, and build commercial, industrial, residential, and land development projects.
6. Engineer
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; San Diego, CA; Austin, TX; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV;
Job Description:
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.
7. Laboratory Technician
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; New York, NY; San Antonio, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Salt Lake City, UT; Saint Louis, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA; Baltimore, MD;
Job Description:
Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.
8. Test Engineer
Top Locations:
San Diego, CA; Austin, TX; Houston, TX; San Jose, CA; Dallas, TX; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Redmond, WA;
Chicago, IL; Santa Clara, CA;
Job Description:
A Test Engineer is focused on planning, designing, and evaluating products. They interact with other engineering groups to define, analyze, and perform tests for products, systems, and components.
9. Systems Engineer
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Washington, DC; San Diego, CA; Huntsville, AL; Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC;
Job Description:
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.
10. Research Scientist
Top Locations:
Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; Cambridge, MA; San Diego, CA; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; Dallas, TX; Durham, NC;
Job Description:
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.
11. Process Engineer
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; Austin, TX; Chandler, AZ; Dallas, TX; Hillsboro, OR; Baton Rouge, LA; San Diego, CA; San Jose, CA; Louisville, KY; Rochester, NY;
Job Description:
Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.
12. Research Internship
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; Baltimore, MD; Atlanta, GA;
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
13. Software Engineer
Top Locations:
San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Austin, TX; San Diego, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA;
Job Description:
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.
14. Electrical Engineer
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Newport News, VA; Irvine, CA; Atlanta, GA; San Diego, CA; Charlotte, NC; Tucson, AZ; Dallas, TX;
Job Description:
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPSs).
15. Research And Development Engineer
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; , OH; Arlington Heights, IL; Irvine, CA; Marlborough, MA; Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; San Jose, CA; Santa Clara, CA; Franklin Lakes, NJ;
Job Description:
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.
16. Data Science Internship
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Seattle, WA; Austin, TX; Dallas, TX;
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
17. Research Associate
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Washington, DC; San Diego, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Cambridge, MA;
Job Description:
A Research Associate plan organizes and researches in , cultural, historical, or artistic. They conduct literature, collect and analyze data, and recruit and/or interview new people.
18. Programmer Analyst
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA; Saint Louis, MO; Columbus, OH; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Dallas, TX;
Job Description:
Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.
19. Laboratory Assistant
Top Locations:
New York, NY; San Diego, CA; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Davis, CA; Madison, WI; Berkeley, CA; Seattle, WA;
Job Description:
Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.
20. Manufacturing Engineer
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; Everett, WA; Wichita, KS; Savannah, GA; Tulsa, OK; Fort Worth, TX; Charleston, SC; Waterloo, IA; Irvine, CA; Jacksonville, FL;
Job Description:
Manufacturing Engineer plans, designs, set up, and monitors the manufacturing processes. They work in various sectors, such as plastics, oil, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
21. Systems Analyst
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Pittsburgh, PA; Chicago, IL; Austin, TX; Washington, DC; Indianapolis, IN; Boston, MA; Seattle, WA;
Job Description:
Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.
22. Business Analyst
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Dallas, TX; Minneapolis, MN; San Francisco, CA; Philadelphia, PA;
Job Description:
A business analyst is someone who analyzes an organization or business domain (real or hypothetical) and documents its business or processes or systems, assessing the business model or its with technology.
Other Reads:
23. Design Engineer
Top Locations:
Houston, TX; Wichita, KS; San Diego, CA; Everett, WA; Cincinnati, OH; New York, NY; Portland, OR;
Atlanta, GA; Indianapolis, IN; San Jose, CA;
Job Description:
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.
24. Math Tutor
Top Locations:
New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Sacramento, CA; Miami, FL; Indianapolis, IN;
Job Description:
A Math Tutor helps students improve their math skills in a library in groups or individually. They evaluate the skill progression of students and identify areas for improvement.
What can you do with a physics degree if none of the options above appeal to you? You could use your mathematical proficiency to enter into the financial world, or your knowledge of innovation to head into a relevant field of the legal sector (such as patent law or ).
Media and entertainment are two more potential industries, where physicists are in demand for roles such as scientific journalism, computer game programming, and film special effects. Other options include roles in teaching, manufacturing, transport, architecture, and communications.
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StudentsandScholarship Team.
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