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Career Opportunities with a Major in Physics

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.

Physicists are concerned with discovering basic principles governing the structure and behavior of matter, the generation and transfer of energy, and the interaction of matter and energy. Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods for practical application of findings.

 

SKILLS RELATED TO PHYSICS

  • Ability to read and write articulately and analytically

  • Ability to work well under pressure

  • Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret scientific data

  • Proficient in mathematics, reading, writing, memorization and speaking

  • Aptitude for accurate details

  • Ability to make critical observations and appropriate decisions

  • Ability to operate computers to record and analyze physical science data

  • Ability to explain physical science concepts

  • Ability to work as a member of a physical science team

  • Ability to research physical sciences

  • Analyzing and interpreting physical science data

  • Preparing technical or research reports

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Physics major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Physics majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

 

Acoustic Physicist Aerospace Engineer Airplane Pilot
Airport Operations Astronomer Atomic Physicist
Ballistics Expert Biophysicist Computer Programmer
Cryogenics Specialist Geophysicist Laboratory Technician
Mathematician Medical Technologist Metallurgical Engineer
Meteorologist Nuclear Engineer Operations Planner
Optical Technician Photogrammetrist Photo-optics Technician
Physicist Radiographer Seismologist
Electro-Optical Engineer Health Physicist Theoretical Physicist
 

EMPLOYERS IN PHYSICS

  • Atomic/Nuclear Labs

  • Engineering Firms

  • Government Agencies

  • Manufacturing/Processing Firms

  • Military

  • Nuclear Plants

  • Patent Law Firms

  • Petroleum Companies

  • Professional Journals

  • Research Firms

  • Technical Journals

  • Technical Libraries

 

WEB SITES RELATED TO PHYSICS

Metro State Department of Physics Website

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS FIELD

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.