Lucrative career options for a Physics Masters

[spaghetti3451]

Hi, I am doing a Masters in theoretical particle physics (in Canada, where Masters is a separate degree from PhD). My research is mostly pen and paper work. There's no programming. My coursework was in quantum field theory, general relativity and cosmology.

Recently, I have lost my interest in theoretical particle physics because I realized that i do not want to be an academic.

People on physicsforums talk about lucrative career options for physics Phds. What are some career options for physics masters? Are there no lucrative career options say, in Google or Facebook, or as a quant? Is a PhD in physics the only way to ensure lucrative career options?

 

[BvU]

So much hurry that you fire two almost parallel threads ?

Is a PhD in physics the only way to ensure lucrative career options?

On the contrary. It earns you a living if you're good at it but that's it. Real estate earns you a lot more if you're good at that. Or car sales .

You sure your interest is lost and gone forever ? You sure your interest in Google, Facebook (and not MS ?) is genuine ? My advice: make an inventory based on genuine interests instead of lucreativity. Better to have work you love and like and earns you just enough than a job you hate and earns you a bit more for as long as you can hold on to it. You didn't choose theoretical physics because you like bricklaying.

You must be pretty smart and you have a sound basis in math and physics. Nothing to worry. Perhaps you can enhance your social skills somewhat by making a start with networking. You need to answer your question yourself anyway: start with your university professors and use their networks to ask around.

 

[BvU]

So much hurry

Turns out there's a context ! Bit hard to find with your profile info hidden . Come clear with your supervisor. I agree with V50 & Choppy wholeheartedly. If he's any good he'll appreciate it and you have a new ally -- use his network too, perhaps he knows a few of your predecessors who went that way, you never know!

Your hesitation and preparation do you credit. Of course taking a 'definite' step takes some courage. Wish you strength & good luck !

 

[Logical Dog]

Bit hard to find with your profile info hidden

lol

 

[reasonableman]

First you need to define what you mean as lucrative, are you looking at starting salary, potential returns or average income? For example, start ups have the potential to get eye-wateringly rich but this is unlikely.

Second, you need to do some research - what do people do at Facebook and Google that is lucrative? Is that what you had in mind? The fact that you just said the two most famous companies in the world does not suggest a significant amount of research.

To answer your question, in general a masters still puts you in the graduate category but you should be 'at the front of the queue'. Again generally speaking the best fields for employment with high renumeration are finance and technology. A graduate position in either of these field should be eminently achieveable with an MSc in physics.