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Hi All,
I've been a long time PF member (since 2003) but haven't posted much since graduating high school and had to create a new account. :)
I must say, I never read the career guidance section until now. I probably should have 10 years ago.
Looking back, I would say I was a disillusioned high schooler fascinated with the fundamental constituents of matter. Yes, I went into physics thinking I could help contribute to something 'greater' and for the sake of knowledge. Yes, I worked with the LHC collaboration for 3 years during my undergrad. No, I did not do any "real" physics (just optimization and verification algorithms). Yes, I went into grad school thinking I would contribute to something 'greater', applying for high energy programs. I entered an ivy league phd program and had moment of clarity when I questioned what my career options would be after graduating, and switched to exp condensed matter.
Well, I went through it all and plan to graduate in the summer. However, I am left with a sense of anxiety and panic as I desperately want to leave academia and start a normal 'life' with a job in industry, away from the politics of publications and impact factors (though reading the previous posts in this section, I realized should have majored in engineering...)
I'm back on PF, hoping to ask the community on any advice regarding how to enter into industry. With my background, I assume that the semiconductor field would be a possible fit but haven't the slightest clue on how to approach getting an industry job (since who hires physics phds anyways?) I have only a few more months before I plan to defend. After reading previous posts, I'm somewhat frightened due to the poor economy and the resounding advice of "dont major in physics, major in engineering!". I was hoping to hear how other phd graduates obtained jobs outside of academia and any potential advice they may have for future graduates like me.
Thank you for any comments/thoughts.
I've been a long time PF member (since 2003) but haven't posted much since graduating high school and had to create a new account. :)
I must say, I never read the career guidance section until now. I probably should have 10 years ago.
Looking back, I would say I was a disillusioned high schooler fascinated with the fundamental constituents of matter. Yes, I went into physics thinking I could help contribute to something 'greater' and for the sake of knowledge. Yes, I worked with the LHC collaboration for 3 years during my undergrad. No, I did not do any "real" physics (just optimization and verification algorithms). Yes, I went into grad school thinking I would contribute to something 'greater', applying for high energy programs. I entered an ivy league phd program and had moment of clarity when I questioned what my career options would be after graduating, and switched to exp condensed matter.
Well, I went through it all and plan to graduate in the summer. However, I am left with a sense of anxiety and panic as I desperately want to leave academia and start a normal 'life' with a job in industry, away from the politics of publications and impact factors (though reading the previous posts in this section, I realized should have majored in engineering...)
I'm back on PF, hoping to ask the community on any advice regarding how to enter into industry. With my background, I assume that the semiconductor field would be a possible fit but haven't the slightest clue on how to approach getting an industry job (since who hires physics phds anyways?) I have only a few more months before I plan to defend. After reading previous posts, I'm somewhat frightened due to the poor economy and the resounding advice of "dont major in physics, major in engineering!". I was hoping to hear how other phd graduates obtained jobs outside of academia and any potential advice they may have for future graduates like me.
Thank you for any comments/thoughts.