Other Just got Phy+Math Degree, Waiting for Grad School, what to do

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The discussion centers around finding ways to earn money and gain valuable experience before applying to graduate school in physics. The individual has a background in mathematics and physics, with significant research experience, and is currently living at home to save on expenses while dealing with student debt. They are considering a tutoring job that offers minimal pay but would enhance their resume. Suggestions from others include exploring software development opportunities, especially given their computational skills, and looking into lab technician positions at local colleges or universities. The individual has experience with Linux and programming in FORTRAN and C++, but lacks confidence in pursuing coding-intensive roles. Overall, the focus is on balancing financial needs with gaining relevant experience for graduate school applications.
RJLiberator
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I'm looking for suggestions on ways to:
a) Make some money
b) Get valuable experience that looks good on my grad school application

My timeline:
Right now it is September 2018. I will be taking the Physics GRE in September 2019/Oct. 2019. I'll be applying for Physics Grad Schools soon after this by Dec 2019 in hopes to get in for August-ish 2020.

That gives me roughly 1.5 years before I enter Grad school.

My history:
I just got a BS in mathematics and a BA in physics in May. I have plenty of research experience from this time.
Right now, I am moving back to my pops house as he is going through some challenging health problems. This gives me free rent/elec/internet, which is double nice since I have debt pouring down on me starting January 2019 (Roughly $350.00 per month or so). This also means I am settled somewhere near Tampa, Florida for the 1.5 years.

Right now I am looking at:
There is a tutoring center very close to my house. I am pretty sure I can get a job here. However, this would be minimum wage, roughly 20 hours per week, and not available during the off-season.
This would be a good job for my resume/experience AND i'd actually really enjoy it. So I'm ok with this. But it only marginally gets me over the $$$ issue for the time that it is in school.

My question to you:
Is there any opportunities that I am passing up that would both look good on my graduate school resume AND pay me well?

Thanks for the help!
 
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To the OP:

I have a question for you. You state that you have plenty of research experience from your time pursuing your undergraduate studies. What types of skills have you acquired during that time?

I ask this because if you have developed, say, computational skills, then that should give you opportunities to pursue work in, say, software development as an example. Also, Tampa is the location of several military bases -- if you have the security clearance, perhaps seeking some time of defense-related work could be something you could look into.

You mentioned the tutoring centre. Have you also looked at local colleges/universities to see if there may be lab tech type of work available there?
 
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StatGuy2000 said:
To the OP:

I have a question for you. You state that you have plenty of research experience from your time pursuing your undergraduate studies. What types of skills have you acquired during that time?

I ask this because if you have developed, say, computational skills, then that should give you opportunities to pursue work in, say, software development as an example. Also, Tampa is the location of several military bases -- if you have the security clearance, perhaps seeking some time of defense-related work could be something you could look into.

You mentioned the tutoring centre. Have you also looked at local colleges/universities to see if there may be lab tech type of work available there?

Thanks for the reply.
In my research, I learned how to use Linux systems and code in various languages (FORTRAN namely, C++). It's all on the theory side of things rather than experimental.

It's been hard for me to get the 'mojo' or motivation to look into computer jobs since my coding skills, while acceptable, are not great. I'd not be good in a coding-intensive job, but I could get by with a little coding here and there. Other than that, I'm just not too familiar with the various computer jobs so my confidence level would be low.

I will look at the nearby universities, that's a good suggestion.
 
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