What do BS of Physics graduates actually do?

[Elite Engineer]

I have a degree in biotechnology. I run assays, do research, I'm a lab technician. Most people in my field will generally do this for a living.

 

What do people with bachelors in physics do for a living?

 

I like to think they do the following:

 

-Do research at a university/company

 

-some kind of programmer?

 

-Teaching Assistant

 

-Tutor

 

-teach (some where)

 

~is this right?

 

~EE

 

 

 

[ACG52]

When I got my BS in physics (31 years ago) I went into mainframe programming.

[ajb]

Most I would say are doing something along the lines of engineering, understood quite widely. People I know are involved in computer programming, business analysis and banking.

 

Most will not be physicists in the sense that they are doing scientific research.

 

Maybe the IOP careers website can give you more information http://www.iop.org/careers/index.html

[John Cuthber]

I think a lot go into finance.

[ajb]

I think a lot go into finance.

I have no idea of the numbers, but yes, banking and finance seem a popular direction. Plenty of PhD graduates in physics and mathematics go down that route. I am not sure how fulfilled they are, but for sure they get better pay-packets than they would staying in science.

[swansont]

When I got my BA is physics I joined the navy and taught (physics and principle of reactor operation).

[studiot]

Physics in the UK suffers from the lack of an upper level offering a career path as in Chartered Engineer.

Many physics graduates used to join one of the many government research eastablishments, but our government in its wisdom has dismantled most of these.

 

 

 

Of the pure physicists I have come across over the years.

 

Two went in to the building and construction industry and one eventually became a director of a multinational and a director of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

 

One took a Phd and now works at CERN

 

And one became an undertaker.

Edited June 22, 2015 by studiot

[ajb]

Physics in the UK suffers from the lack of an upper level offering a career path as in Chartered Engineer.

The Institute of Physics offers chartered status CPhys and CEng.

 

http://www.iop.org/membership/char-sta/page_61582.html

[Elite Engineer]

Maybe the IOP careers website can give you more information http://www.iop.org/careers/index.html

Thanks!

Physics in the UK suffers from the lack of an upper level offering a career path as in Chartered Engineer.

Many physics graduates used to join one of the many government research eastablishments, but our government in its wisdom has dismantled most of these.

 

 

 

Two went in to the building and construction industry and one eventually became a director of a multinational and a director of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

 

 

 

And one became an undertaker.

I'm one to LOVE science, and I can't see myself not doing it. Why take a degree in a really demanding field that needs the personnel and go down a completely different path?

[ajb]

Why take a degree in a really demanding field that needs the personnel and go down a completely different path?

Before you have a degree you don't really know what the subject is or what it involves. I guess a lot of people decide enough is enough.

 

Also you have the lack of suitable jobs. Many STEM subject graduates have to take up jobs not directly related to their degrees. This get steadily worse with higher qualifications.

[swansont]

 

I'm one to LOVE science, and I can't see myself not doing it. Why take a degree in a really demanding field that needs the personnel and go down a completely different path?

 

The training you get in physics crosses disciplines. Problem solving skills, for example. So it's not like the experience is wasted.

[MigL]

Mainframe programming ACG52 ?

That seems like a 'dead end' career.

 

And studiot, of the four physicists you were aquainted with, I'd be willing to bet the undertaker earns the best renumeration.

 

But who am I to talk, with my BSc, I make toxic, pyrophoric chemicals.

[ACG52]

Mainframe programming ACG52 ?

That seems like a 'dead end' career.

 

 

Not 40 years ago.

[MigL]

Did a little bit myself with Hollerith punch cards and Fortran IV.

[Bill Angel]

I got a BS in Physics in 1970. When I got out of the Navy in 1973 I went to work for the National Bureau of Standards developing electronic instrumentation.