Is a Physics Degree Limiting My Career Options?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the career prospects for individuals with a physics degree, particularly for those who may not wish to pursue traditional academic paths such as postdoctoral research. Participants explore alternative career options in fields like finance and engineering, while expressing concerns about the limitations of a physics degree in the job market.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Career-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with the prospect of a traditional academic career in physics, citing concerns about low-paying postdoc positions and a lengthy commitment to research.
  • Another participant suggests considering engineering as an alternative career path, mentioning the emergence of engineering management degrees that combine physics, engineering, and business.
  • A suggestion is made for pursuing a master's degree in mathematical finance as a way to leverage a physics background into a finance career.
  • One participant shares their experience transitioning from a physics undergraduate degree to a master's program in engineering physics, highlighting the practical, hands-on nature of the program.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are alternative career paths available for physics graduates, but there is no consensus on which specific path is the best or most viable. Various options are proposed, but differing opinions on the desirability and practicality of these options remain.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on the availability of specific programs at universities, and the discussion does not resolve the effectiveness of transitioning to different fields or the potential impact on career satisfaction.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or recent graduates with a physics degree considering non-academic career options, as well as those interested in the intersection of physics with engineering or finance.

Atomos
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I just finished my first year of a 4 year physics degree, and it made me realize that although I love physics and I am really good at it, but I do not want to be a physicist. This has a lot to do with my first taste of research life with a condensed matter group I had been helping. It made me realize that I really do not want to waste 10 to 15 years of my life going between lowpaying postdoc positions, being someone's lab monkey for the chance of getting a stable and well paying tenure/tenure-track position by the time half of my life is gone.

I love physics, but I can't see myself devoting every aspect of my life to it like some of my friends are able to do.

I am looking for a way out, and into a well payed profession, but I don't think I want to leave physics completely, i.e. change degrees.

Does anyone have any tips on how to make a physics degree useful for maybe a life in finance, or industry or anything? (I am open to possibilities)

Could maybe trying a differing field have an impact on my attitudes?
 
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Have you considered that there are other options besides going the route of being a post-doc lab monkey?
What about engineering?
Many schools are beginning to offer degrees in engineering management. Perhaps you could go this route if you are looking for something more money oriented. It seems to be a sort of merger of physics, engineering and a bit of business.
Either way the are a plethora of jobs in industry hiring physics majors but not directly doing physics. Search around on this forum a bit for threads about physics salaries and jobs there have been some recent ones.
 
You could do a two year masters in math with a concentration in finance. I don't know what other universities offer this, but here's a link to the curriculum for the one at LSU:
https://www.math.lsu.edu/dept/grad/fincrs
 
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Thank you guys for your advice. The masters in mathemtical finance thing seems interesting. A lot of uni's seem to offer it.
 
If you want to stay with a technical field you should consider Engineering Physics. I received my undergrad in regular physics. In the fall I am going to be starting in the masters in engineering physics program at Appalachian State University. The program is designed to teach you real world work details and information. Most classes have labs associated with them and you receive much hands-on experience.
 

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