Physics in the private sector

  • Thread starter Wishbone
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In summary: I didn't like. The ones I did like were Quantum Mechanics, Modern Physics I, and ESPECIALLY Theoretical and computational physics. These were the courses that I found to be the most applicable to my career goals. The math problems in the other courses were really not my cup of tea.
  • #1
Wishbone
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I soon will be graduating with a bachelor's in physics and entering the "job market". I absolutley despise a good portion, especially the higher level, physics courses I have taken. I found the teachers awful, and the content mundane. Basically any interest I once had in physics, except for the case of classical mechanics, is destroyed. I attribute this mostly to the countless number of math problems I have encountered in physics classes, with no refrence to physics at all. I have no problem teachers strengthening my math skills for future applications in physics, however, those answers have never come. This has basically stomped on that wonderment of physics that consumed me at the beginning of my studies.

I have no interest whatsover being stuck behind a desk, or in a classroom, or labratory, and want to be as far away from the "academia physics" as physically possible. I wondering what other "real world" possibilities there are for physics majors, that shy away from these parts I have found to be mundane. Thank you in advance.
 
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Maybee you should check out some type of engineering job that you could use your physics knowledge towards. I don't really know how physics degrees work, but did you specialize a specific area? As long as the specialization wasn't some type of theoretical physics, I would assume that there would be a corresponding field of engineering you could go into.
 
  • #3
What parts of the physics you learned would you say are worthwhile to learn for practical applications, and which parts would you say are just a waste of time? Was it like once you reached a certain point you started taking classes that were to abstract and had no real application, or was you whole time in college full of some usefull stuff and some non-useful stuff?
 
  • #4
Really, the problem was not the subject matter, but the homeworks and tests. He would give some pure math problems like "using a this series, prove that this integral equals this" and I hate that. That is the least inteesting thing to me, and I found it more and more common within my higher level physics courses than the lower ones. I am worried that if I look into a job ,for example, in something like polymer physics, or something like that I will re-experience these mundane feelings I am having in Quantum Mechanics, Modern Physics II, and ESPECIALLY Theoretical and computational physics. I am not sure whether I am coherently expressing the aspect of my college physics career I hate.

As far as the courses I found interesting, it was really the classical, some modern physics, etc.
 

1. What types of industries can a physicist work in within the private sector?

Physicists can work in a variety of industries within the private sector, including technology, aerospace, energy, manufacturing, and healthcare. They may also work in consulting or research and development firms.

2. What job titles are available for physicists in the private sector?

There are many job titles available for physicists in the private sector, including research scientist, data analyst, product development engineer, technical consultant, and applied physicist. These titles may vary depending on the specific industry and company.

3. How does a physicist's role differ in the private sector compared to academia?

In the private sector, physicists typically focus on applying their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems and develop new products and technologies. They may also work on a team with other scientists, engineers, and professionals. In academia, physicists tend to focus on conducting research and teaching.

4. What skills are important for a physicist to have in the private sector?

In addition to a strong understanding of physics principles, some important skills for a physicist in the private sector include problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, computer programming, and communication. These skills are valuable for developing innovative solutions and effectively collaborating with colleagues.

5. What career opportunities are available for physicists in the private sector?

There are many career opportunities available for physicists in the private sector. Some examples include research and development roles, product design and testing, data analysis and modeling, and consulting. Some physicists may also pursue managerial or leadership positions within their company or industry.

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