What to Expect in My New Job

[hasel001]

I am a soon to graduate physics student, and I just accepted my first tentative (physics) job offer. I will be working for the Naval Oceanographic Office in a Navy Career Intern position in their Bathymetry department. I'm very thrilled, but I don't know a great deal about the subfield and have a couple of questions:

1. What might I expect to do on a daily basis? I know I'll spend at least 2 months a year on one of their survey vessels, but besides that, I'm somewhat in the dark about it. With it being a Career Intern position, I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to learn as I go, so my uncertainty brings with it no qualms.

2. My interviewers made sure they emphasized that I would have the opportunity (read: be pushed) to continue my education. I'm also thrilled about this, and I know they will be more inclined to fund my grad school if it's well related to my job. What graduate degrees or emphases would come to mind that relate to such a job?

Thanks for any input. I'm sure I'll learn enough about it in time, but I would love some ideas on which to speculate.

 

[Fearless]

Bathymetry? Is that the thing where you measure the ocean floor in different ways?

If it's that, then I have some speculations.

* Signal processing would be quite useful, like interpreting the images that gets sent from some kind of sound-beam towards the ocean floor.

* Maybe mechatronics(for building more effcient datamodels/internal communication in the machines), although I think it's a stretch on bathymetry.

* Water/oceanic-physics. I think that will always be relevant for a bathymetrist.

* Shipbuilding? (nah just a joke. ;), that one was free of charge).

 

[charng]

Congratulations on your new job offer! Working for the Naval Oceanographic Office in the Bathymetry department sounds like a great opportunity for a physics graduate. As for your questions, here are some things you can expect in your new job:

1. Daily tasks: As a physics graduate, you will most likely be involved in collecting and analyzing data related to oceanography and bathymetry. This could involve using various instruments and equipment to measure water depth, studying ocean currents and tides, and analyzing data to create maps and charts. You may also be involved in planning and executing surveys on the survey vessel, as well as processing and interpreting the data collected.

2. Opportunities for continued education: It's great that your interviewers emphasized the importance of continuing your education. With a background in physics and experience in bathymetry, you may want to consider graduate degrees or emphases in fields such as oceanography, geophysics, or marine science. These fields would provide a deeper understanding of the physical processes that govern the ocean and would be highly relevant to your job in bathymetry.

In addition, you may also want to consider pursuing certifications or training in specific software or tools that are commonly used in the field of bathymetry. This will not only enhance your skills and knowledge, but also make you a more valuable asset to your team.

Overall, your job in the Bathymetry department will likely involve a combination of fieldwork, data analysis, and continuous learning. It's an exciting and dynamic field, and I'm sure you will have plenty of opportunities to grow and develop as a scientist. Best of luck in your new role!