What is Job: Definition and 886 Discussions

A job, employment, work or occupation, is a person's role in society. More specifically, a job is an activity, often regular and often performed in exchange for payment ("for a living"). Many people have multiple jobs (e.g., parent, homemaker, and employee). A person can begin a job by becoming an employee, volunteering, starting a business, or becoming a parent. The duration of a job may range from temporary (e.g., hourly odd jobs) to a lifetime (e.g., judges).
An activity that requires a person's mental or physical effort is work (as in "a day's work"). If a person is trained for a certain type of job, they may have a profession. Typically, a job would be a subset of someone's career. The two may differ in that one usually retires from their career, versus resignation or termination from a job.

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  1. P

    Physics Good job with a B.S. in Physics?

    I have been reading the American Physics Society website and according to some of the information I can earn a good living with a B.S. in Physics. I am desperate to get out of the field I'm in and on to something I know I will love but I worry about being able to support my wife and myself
  2. A

    Need advice at possible job opportunity

    Hi all, I'm from Argentina, and I'm currently needing some kind of advice over a possible job opportunity that I would have soon. I am an Electronic Engineer, I graduated on 2008 and have been working for 3 years at the global leader telecomunications vendor, as a Support Engineer for the...
  3. Y

    Calculating Optimal Gear Ratio for Efficient Job Performance | Diagram Included

    I have a basic understanding of how to calculate gear rpm, but have no idea as to how one could figure out what size and number of teeth you would need if you want to give X turn to the drive gear to get a rack to slide Y inchs. Obviously I would want to contain the entire assembly in the the...
  4. B

    Job interview question: 2 glasses of coffee (Heat Transfer)

    I tried searching for this but i couldn't find an answer so i hope this is hasn't been discussed and if so - sorry- and id appreciate a link.. Here we go: Lets say we have to glasses, A and B. In glass A we pour boiling water and add milk straight afterwards. Now for glass B we pour the...
  5. Z

    Schools Non-prestigous schools and job opportunities

    I am currently a Music major at Metropolitan State College of Denver. I am considering switching my major to physics but I am wondering if where you get your bachelor's has an effect on you likely-hood to get a job/go to graduate school. Also, How is the job market for physicists? I don't...
  6. D

    Applied Physics Job Opportunities?

    I am a high school senior, and currently trying to figure out what to do next as far as my education goes. I'm very interested in Physics, as I love learning how the things I often take for granted work. A school I applied for has not only Physics, but also Applied Physics. Are the job...
  7. G

    Programs Rank undergrad physics degrees by job potential

    I'm planning to major in physics at my university. However, this will be a second degree. My first was a 3 year biology degree 7 years ago. I'm interested in the job prospects of the various physics degrees and since my university is a small undergraduate school, they offer multiple...
  8. O

    Can Amateur Scientists Conduct Meaningful Research Without a Paid Position?

    Wasn't really sure whether this belonged in academic or career guidance. I just have a question that's been bugging me after reading so much about how hard it is to end up in an academic research position. If someone has an education and knowledge set rivaling the average research scientist...
  9. I

    What Type of Solenoid is Best for My Bicycle Workstand?

    I am doing A2 Level Product Design (as well as Physics obviously :tongue:) and I am making a workstand for a bicycle. It involves a ratchet and pawl mechanism which will be locked out by a solenoid acting on the pawl. The bike weighs roughly 12.1kg and the ratchet wheel from nylon. The pawl...
  10. F

    Should accept fresh-graduate job offer after a PhD?

    Hi everyone! I would like to ask you for some advice on a decision I need to take soon... I am about to finish a PhD in theoretical physics, and I decided to leave academia. I recently landed a job offer, where I would be working as a financial consultant in risk management. The job...
  11. Ryan_m_b

    Advice for an all day job interview?

    I have a job interview on Monday that is scheduled to last 9-5. It is for working on a research project for a bioartificial liver, the job roles will be a mix between conducting research and helping run the lab. I'm OK on the science side of things and I consider myself great at interviews but...
  12. C

    Job Skills Does a good interview guarantee you the job?

    I had an interview with a pharmaceutical company (for an intern position) and at the time I didn't really care whether I got the job or not so I wasn't nervous at all and consequently, I did a phenomenally good interview. I just spontaneously became highly charismatic and said everything I...
  13. I

    Physics Medical Physics future job outlook?

    So, I'm a quasi-junior undergraduate right now. Essentially, I was planning on transferring to NYU for physics, but over the summer I decided not to because of the crazy loans I'd be taking out, and as of right now I'm taking an Anatomy and Physiology class and Organic Chem class at a community...
  14. P

    Is accepting a job offer with lower pay worth it for the opportunity for growth?

    I accepted a job offer today for a program manager position at a large international company. It's a 6 month contract job it will be extended another 6 months upon acceptable performance. After the 12 month they will consider hiring me direct. I have an EE degree and the position will have...
  15. P

    What is the difference between a program manager and a project manager?

    So I have a job interview for a program manager position next week and I am not sure what a program manager for an electrical engineering group does. Has anyone here been a PM? Also, what is the difference between a program manager and a project manager? They aren't the same thing, are they?
  16. FlexGunship

    Waiting for a Job Offer - Should I Accept Less Due to Age?

    So, here's the back story: I got a call from a recruiter trying to fill a position. Long story short, I nailed the interview and they called me back today saying: "we were so impressed that we'd really like to redefine the position we're offering you." It's a small company, and I was...
  17. I

    Why did I choose to study engineering if I hate my current engineering job?

    I hate my engineering job! I graduated from university last year at the top of my year, I used to enjoy engineering at university as i found it challenging and I enjoy doing maths. I am now working in industry as a design analyst and I absolutely hate it! I find it so boring, all I do all day...
  18. J

    Physics Did past technical experience + physics degree help you get the job?

    Did past "technical experience" + "physics degree" help you get the job? Reading another posting on this forum got me to thinking, and I want to see if anyone else here was in the same situation as I am. I have 15 years experience in manufacturing and 2 technical diplomas: Machine Tool...
  19. K

    Job Opportunities in IT for Americans in SE Michigan

    I have a son who is an Oracle data-base designer. He tells me that there is virtually no unemployment for Americans who have IT (Information Technology) skills. He has talked with many firms that do placement in the IT field, and they maintain that they can go more than a year without getting...
  20. N

    Physics How Can You Prepare for Physics Questions in Job Interviews?

    Hi all :-) A little while back I went for an interview for a physics based job which, unfortunately, I completely screwed up. Part of the problem was that when they asked me some really basic physics questions, the sort of thing I haven't done since first/second year, I was a.) put off...
  21. M

    Finishing my bachelor's degree; thinking of a job

    Hello everyone. I would assume such a thread would be very common in this section but I believe my circumstances are specific so I will make a new one. I'm a student in Slovenia, Central Europe. I'm finishing a bachelor's degree in physics. My particular area of study were astronomy and...
  22. M

    Getting a Job Abroad: Tips & Advice for Finding Employment in Other Countries

    Hi, I wanted some information as to how one should proceed to get a job in country X when he is in country Y, which is a 15-hour plane ride away. The easy way would be doing my degree in country X and working my way from there but the odds are that I will *have* to do this in Y. How do I...
  23. T

    Need advice on getting a research assistant job

    Hi, I have just got my Bachelor's Degree in Physics. I would like to pursue a career in Physics, preferably in the field of quantum technology or nanoscience. Right now, I can't continue my studies due to financial reasons and family problems. So, I'm thinking of getting a job first as a...
  24. S

    Engineering Creative Paths in Engineering/Science/Math that dont give me a 9-5 cubicle job

    Hello, I am a 23 year old female, and I need some career advise. I was an undergraduate mathematics/physics major. I began going to school for Applied Physics at a top ten university, but I decided that I was very unhappy with the course work and the weather, so I finished the semester and...
  25. S

    Math Will I be able to get a job with just an applied math BS?

    I am quite certain I will not be going for a PhD, and after doing some research most job postings seem to be looking for PhD's in math. I am in my second year doing this applied mathematics degree, (It is actually even more focused "Computational Mathematics") but if my job prospects are...
  26. A

    Nuclear Engineer - job description

    Hi there, I've been wondering for some time what the nuclear engineer job exactly looks like. I am particulary interested in one question: is there a place in the field of nuclear engineering for guys who would rather do the math and equations than build anything? Are there jobs for power...
  27. A

    Engineering Power Engineer - job description

    Hi there, I've been wondering for some time what the power engineer job exactly looks like. I am particulary interested in one question: is there a place in the field of power engineering for guys who would rather do the math and equations than build anything? Are there jobs for power...
  28. S

    Considering quitting job to pursue full time studies. Advice needed

    Right now I'm at a community college and I am a semester or two away from transferring to the local Uni in the Chemical Engineering program. I need some advice. So far in school I've been working part time and going to school part time. As many of you probably know, working while taking these...
  29. 1

    Is Finding a Job in Plasma Focus Possible at Age 32?

    Hi everybody, nice to meet you all I'm studing Physics in Catania University, Italy, and I'll get the master degree in Physics next summer. My thesis will be on plasma focus and I will spend a period in Bologna, DIENCA laboratories to work on it. I would like to know if there will be any...
  30. J

    Summer internship or summer job for Elect. Eng majors?

    I am a current sophomore (just started soph year) Electrical engineering major at a top state school So this last summer (end of frosh year) I worked in a research lab. I sort of want to go to grad school after my BS. But, just in case grad school does not work out for me, I want to keep the...
  31. W

    Will Taking a Job Outside My Field Affect My Graduate School Application?

    After a lot of searching and coming close to getting a job in the field I want, I have accepted the fact that this is unlikely to happen. Truly disappointing. I do have the opportunity to obtain a job outside my field. My concern is graduate school. I want to work for about a year, then go...
  32. D

    Fork in the road redux: Leave a stable job, for an unstable job?

    Hello again. In the first fork in the road thread I outlined some problems that I am dealing with, and you kind folks offered many suggestions. The 3 big ones that I can remember without looking are: 1) Find roommate. 2) Join Military 3) Work multiple jobs and save up more money. I...
  33. S_Happens

    Leaving the Job and Starting a New Chapter

    I turned in my letter of resignation yesterday and two weeks from tomorrow I'll be unemployed. I quit to go back to school full time. I posted a https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=464314" back in January, but I was able to work through the semester and take the two classes. I...
  34. A

    Is the Job Market Getting *WORSE* for PhDs?

    A lot of my friends in defense have been telling me that programs have either been cut harshly or been told they're on the same operating budget. Seeing as defense seems to be one of the largest areas we go into, this is very unsettling. Private companies seem to be about the same as far as...
  35. L

    Quantitative Analyst physics job

    http://www.markjoshi.com/downloads/advice.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_analyst Which sub-specialty of mathematics or physics, excluding statistics is the most pertinent to quant jobs(especially model validation quant)?
  36. M

    Failed to graduate but landed a full time job

    Hi everyone (particularly practicing engineers and managers of engineers) I failed one of my classes senior year, therefore failing to receive my degree (B.S. Physics ). Before graduation I was offered a job in the exact industry I wanted to work in with great pay and benefits. As it...
  37. R

    Should I Ask for Paid Vacation When Starting a New Job?

    I have been working at my current employer for about a year. About 9 months into the job things had changed and I decided that this was not the right place for me long term. So for I've been on and off looking around for other employment and finally something broke for me. I was given a job...
  38. J

    Does a college degree result in a job?

    Not always, and of course there are exceptions, but now there is a glut of educated people. There's this story that parents tell their children: Go to college. Get a degree. Find a good job in that field. In 1940, only a handful of privileged people were able to get their Bachelors...
  39. W

    News Job Creation - the Key To Protecting Entitlements

    With an unemployment rate above 9% a $14.3Trillion national debt (with proposed cuts of $2Trillion) expected to grow another $7+Trillion, spending at approximately 25% of GDP, roughly 43% of all spending is on credit, and GDP growing at less than 2% - something must be done to encourage economic...
  40. N

    What job should i be thinking of?

    Hey, although I am 14, i have known for a long time that i want to be a physicist. My dream job would be to work at the LHC or at fermilab. I was wandering what universities offer great physics courses in the UK and would be right for me. I have an IQ of 162, and enjoy maths and physics. What...
  41. I

    Which Degree is Best for Getting a Job at NASA? Physics or Astronomy/Astrophy?

    I was going to do a double major at penn state with aerospace engineering and either physics or astronomy and astrophysics. Which one would better help me get a job at NASA? physics or astronomy and astrophysics
  42. F

    Math Mathematics PhD for job in academia and string theory research?

    I am currently an undergraduate majoring in honors physics and mathematics. I am also doing pre-med studies. If I don't make it into medical school, I am thinking about what field I should continue to study. The field of physics that I actually like is mathematical physics, including gauge...
  43. T

    Need review material for job exam

    Hi, I am a recent grad with a BSEE and I will be taking an exam for a job. The exam will consist of the following: RF Microwave Devices, Digital Devices, DC Electronic Theory, Electronic Measurements, Electronic Math, AC Electronic Theory , and Active Devices, I have knowledge of...
  44. K

    Just accepted my first real job

    Just accepted my first "real" job! I'm not generally one to too my own horn, so this is pretty awkward for me, but I figured I'd let you all know that a big thing has happened in my life - I just accepted my true dream job. I will be working on different embedded system architectures for...
  45. F

    Physics Job Prospects for Honours Physics Student, Potential Grad School

    Hi guys, I'm just about to start university however because of some weird thing with advanced credits because I did IB, I have to declare what I want to take this year. I did a bunch of deliberation and finally settled on an Honours Physics degree. I'm wondering: what kind of job...
  46. X

    What makes you a scientist? Degree? Job?

    Hello everyone! I hope this is the correct spot for this question. Basically I was wondering who exactly can call themselves a scientist? I have several co-workers who have degrees in Environmental Science. We do not work in that field though. And during several debates - one in which they were...
  47. T

    Physics Finding a job with a B.S. in Physics?

    Here's some background information about my academic career to explain my situation: I came into college with a huge head start (>45 AP credits) and went straight into higher level physics classes; my original plan was to graduate in 3 years. My first year I did really well one semester...
  48. S

    Programs PhD or Job Offer: Weighing the Pros and Cons for Recent Physics Graduates

    So, I've just graduated with an MPhys in the UK, with a decent 2:1. I have a funded [minimum EPSRC stipend, £13.5k] PhD position at my current university, that starts in October. I also have a job offer in the US, to work in software. The pay is (what I would consider) pretty decent, $130k...
  49. M

    Is Prestige the Key to Success in the Physics Job Market?

    As we all know, the job market for physicists is abysmal. but just how bad is it? and what role does the prestige of the university you attended play? Will someone who earned their Ph. D from MIT or Harvard have a much easier time getting a post-doc, than say, someone who went to Virginia Tech...
  50. R

    Engineering Can you get an engineering job with an Applied Physics degree?

    How likely is it for someone with a Bachelor's in Applied Physics to land a job as an electrical or mechanical engineer?
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