Best physics PhD for going into industry?

[AlanKirby]

Hi, I'm currently thinking about what area I want my physics PhD (which i want to do anyway) to be in. I'm interested in condensed matter physics, although I'm not stuck on that idea. (I'm an experimentalist by the way.)

What area is best to do a physics PhD in, in order to have a good chance of getting into and good choices for working in industry? (I want to go into industry later down the line.)

Also, aside from; condensed matter, nuclear and particle, what are the main other areas for doing a PhD in (experimental wise)? I can also think of Biophysics, surface physics and also accelerator science. Is there anything else??

What is the reality like for getting into industry as an experimental physicist (and out of curiousity, as a theorist?) ?

Thank you for any response!

 

[Cygnus_A]

Here's the advice that I've gotten:
1. take classes during your graduate degree that build job skills
2. do what you're most interested in

If you're planning on going into industry, a PhD is not necessary; it can apparently 'overqualify' you for a large set of jobs. Pretty much any type of physics degree is marketable though.

AFAIK, experimentalist PhD jobs basically require you to have knowledge in condensed matter physics (semiconductors, materials science, electronics) and/or optics (microscopy, imaging, laser applications). Pretty much any PhD focus can potentially use programming too, if you're interested in that route. Bare in mind that I haven't gotten a PhD yet nor have I interviewed at many industry jobs.