Finding Part Time Work for Undergrad Physics Students

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding part-time work opportunities for undergraduate physics students that could be relevant to their future careers in physics. Participants explore various job options, including those that may not require a college degree, and consider the potential benefits of different types of work experiences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest programming-related jobs as beneficial for physics students.
  • Helping with tutorials at summer schools for high school students is proposed as a relevant job opportunity.
  • Working in a campus lab is mentioned as a potential option, with some professors offering paid positions.
  • Being a teaching assistant (TA) is noted as a possibility, especially at engineering schools where demand is high.
  • Some participants mention that schools may pay students to be notetakers in classes.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of gaining experience through part-time jobs, suggesting that it can impact future career opportunities.
  • Various job suggestions are provided, including tutoring, writing for a school paper, working at a science center, and internships at engineering firms.
  • Joining military reserves or engaging in technical sales are also mentioned as potential avenues for gaining relevant experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of gaining relevant work experience but present multiple competing views on the types of jobs available and their relevance to a physics career. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which specific job opportunities are the best fit.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on individual circumstances, such as the availability of positions at specific schools or the personal interests of the students. There may be limitations in terms of job availability and the specific qualifications required for different roles.

phrygian
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I am currently an undergraduate studying physics, and am looking to get a part time job to make money. Are there any jobs that would be relevant and useful to a carreer as a physicist that someone with no college degree could get?
 
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well things that include programming, if you know some, is always good. And maybe helping out at tutorials at summer schools for high school (kids left behind in math and science)?
 
See if you can get a part time gig in a lab on campus. Oftentimes this is just for credit instead of pay, but there are professors who will offer pay. Some schools let undergraduates be TAs as well. At my school, most of the physics, math, and CS TAs are undergraduates (I go to an engineering school, though, so there is a very high demand for TAs in these subjects).
 
Seconding what Monocles said, but also adding that some schools will pay students to be notetakers in classes.
 
Advice

Firstly,you must concentrate on your studies.If you really want to do job,you must search on the web.All the best...:cool:
 
phrygian said:
I am currently an undergraduate studying physics, and am looking to get a part time job to make money. Are there any jobs that would be relevant and useful to a carreer as a physicist that someone with no college degree could get?

As some who did coop in undergrad I can tell you your options: find a prof who will take you on as a summer student, code monkey work, medical physics.
 
There are lots of jobs available that can help your career as a physicist. Some of them are listed above, but don't be afraid to think outside of the box a little too. Often it's the experience that you get from a part-time job while in undergrad that can mean the difference in getting your first career-type job, especially if you want to look outside of academia.

Some suggestions:
- ask professors if they have any summer or part-time positions in their labs
- join the military reserves (I believe this is called National Guard in the US)
- start writing a science column for your school paper (this may start out as volunteer work at first, but you never know where it could lead)
- tutoring and later working as a TA in first year labs
- working at a science centre as a demonstrator
- science camp concillor
- intern at an engineering firm
- through your physics (or any) department may be able to get work assisting with the planning, organisation, technical setup of conferences
- technical sales (any sales position can help you get into this field)
 

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