Finding work with a phyiscs bachelor in the US

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the employment prospects for individuals holding a bachelor's degree in physics in the United States. Participants explore the challenges and opportunities associated with finding work in various fields, including education and other sectors, without pursuing a master's degree.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that it is uncommon to find suitable work with only a bachelor's degree in physics, particularly for careers directly related to the field.
  • Others suggest that while pursuing a career specifically in physics may be challenging, obtaining any job with a BS in Physics should not be overly difficult, citing examples of physics graduates finding roles in finance and management.
  • One participant emphasizes that the job market's competitiveness is influenced by the presence of candidates with master's and doctoral degrees, particularly in teaching positions.
  • Another participant points out that for entry-level business positions, a physics degree can be advantageous when competing against graduates from other disciplines.
  • There is mention of alternative routes to teaching licensure for those with a subject-area degree, suggesting that individuals interested in teaching should consider pursuing this path.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of finding work with a bachelor's degree in physics. While some believe it is quite difficult, others argue that opportunities exist, particularly outside of traditional physics careers. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall job market conditions and the specific challenges faced by physics graduates.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various factors influencing job prospects, including the type of job sought, competition with higher degree holders, and specific certification requirements for teaching roles. These factors contribute to the complexity of the discussion without reaching a consensus.

Shukie
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I know that over here it's not very common to quit school after receiving your bachelor and not continue for your master's degree, so your chances of finding suitable work with only a bachelor's degree are slim. What's it like in the US? I heard just having a bachelor's degree there is pretty common.
 
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Shukie said:
I know that over here it's not very common to quit school after receiving your bachelor and not continue for your master's degree, so your chances of finding suitable work with only a bachelor's degree are slim. What's it like in the US? I heard just having a bachelor's degree there is pretty common.

I have been having a lot of trouble getting anything with a Bachelors in Physics. I was teaching, and I want to stick with that, but so far: nothing.
 
It depends .. If you want to pursue a career in physics, you won't have much (if any) luck with a bachelors degree.

However, getting any job with just a BS in Physics should not be difficult. I've know people with just math degrees get into careers in finance and management. I am sure it's a similar story for physics grads, but if that's not what you're interested in, you'll at least need a masters degree.
 
With today's economy... slim to none.
 
Do you want a job in physics with your BS, or just any job?
 
Related to Cristo's message, this depends on what the job is.

If you're competing with MS and PhD recipients, it's going to be hard. This includes teaching, where an MS helps, and for high school there are usually certification requirements that a typical BS program doesn't offer.

If you are competing with recent grads in history, literature, art, etc. (i.e. entry level business positions), a physics BS looks very good.
 
If you have a subject-area degree, you can usually find an alternative route to teaching licensure, at least in the United States. If you have an interest in teaching, and have a talent for explaining technical things to people, I recommend that you give it a shot. We need good science and math teachers very badly.
 

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