Options After Getting Undergrad Physics Degree

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I'm about to go to college in one year, so I'm trying to figure out what I want to do (which college I want to go to, what major, etc.) Right now, I am most likely looking at majoring in physics and doing the pre-med track. Of course, though, this is only tentative...who knows what I'll want to do in a year or so?! But, as it stands with my current plan, I'll pursue my physics degree and then apply to med schools in the U.S. What I want to know is, if med school doesn't end up working out for me, what are some possible options for. And, if I were to continue my physics career and get a Ph.d in some area of physics, what career options are open to me, assuming I'm willing to expand my education into areas of computer science, mathematics, etc. I know that the chances of me receiving professorship at a university is extremely low, so I'd like to view more of the industry and government jobs available.

carlgrace

Study physics if you love it, but be aware that the only physicists I know who have jobs doing physics research are the superstars. It's almost like professional sports in that way. It's hard to get a post-doc and even harder to get a full time job.

However, learning physics is a great foundation for finance-type and quantitative jobs both in industry and government. I would hazard a guess that as many physics Ph.Ds go into finance and defense analysis as go into physics after graduation.

A physics undergrad is also a good foundation for engineering grad studies but be aware you will have to take some additional remedial courses when you get to grad school.

Getting into med school while a physics student will be hard, but if you can pull it off you'll have a great foundation.

Good luck!