Finding Summer Jobs Before Starting a PhD in Physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding summer job opportunities for individuals preparing to start a Ph.D. in physics. Participants explore various options that utilize a physics background, including positions that may not be strictly research-focused.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about summer job opportunities suitable for someone about to begin a Ph.D. in physics, expressing a desire for positions that are enjoyable and leverage their physics knowledge.
  • Another participant suggests that national laboratories often have summer programs available for various education levels, indicating potential job opportunities.
  • A different participant mentions the existence of programs that may be available for the summer after graduation, although they do not provide specific links.
  • One participant proposes that contacting faculty in graduate programs could lead to summer research assistant positions, suggesting it as a way to gauge fit with a research group.
  • Additionally, reaching out to previous research groups for summer positions is recommended, as they would not require retraining.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are summer job opportunities available, but specific options and approaches vary. No consensus on particular jobs or programs is reached.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific job links or detailed descriptions of available positions, as well as the dependence on individual circumstances and prior experiences.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing for graduate studies in physics, particularly those seeking summer employment that utilizes their academic background.

Euclid
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Next year I will start my Ph.D. in physics. The last two summers, I have done REUs, but this summer I am not eligible. Does anyone know of any good summer jobs for someone in my situation? I am not necessarily looking for a job in research, just something fun that will require me to use my physics background. Is there any standard REU-type job that graduates often do the summer before they before grad school?
 
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They're out there. For example, national labs (Los Alamos, Pacific Northwest, etc) typically have summer programs for a variety of education levels.
 
I know that there are some programs out there that give you a chance for the summer after you graduate. I wish I could give you a link, but I'm sure if you looked for one, you'll find it.
 
Two additional thoughts:

Many faculty in graduate programs will offer summer RA's to incoming graduate students if you contact faculty that you are interested in working for -- it's a good (but non-committed) test run if you might want to continue as an RA with the group.

You could also perhaps directly contact groups that you have done research for in the past, since they know they won't have to train you again.

Good luck!
 

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