Need Career Advice for Specializing in Physics

  • Context: Physics 
  • Thread starter Thread starter SUBHASREE577
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    advice Career
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking career advice for specializing in physics, particularly for a second-year B.Sc. student. Participants explore various fields within physics, self-study strategies, and considerations for further education, such as pursuing a master's degree or entering the job market.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about which field of physics to pursue and seeks guidance on self-study.
  • Another participant asks about the motivations behind choosing physics as a major.
  • Several participants suggest exploring various subfields through departmental activities, introductory courses, research projects, and networking with peers.
  • Reading materials, such as Physics Today, is recommended as a way to stay informed and engaged.
  • There is a question about whether the original poster plans to work after their B.Sc. or pursue a graduate degree, with a later response indicating a preference for a master's degree.
  • A participant queries the benefits of obtaining a master's degree compared to a bachelor's degree.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of experience and personal interest in determining career paths in physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of exploration and engagement in the field of physics, but there are varying opinions on the best strategies for doing so and the value of further education versus immediate employment.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reflect personal experiences and feelings, which may not apply universally. The conversation includes multiple perspectives on the value of a master's degree and the paths available after completing a B.Sc.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in undergraduate physics programs, individuals considering a career in physics, and those contemplating further education in STEM fields may find this discussion relevant.

SUBHASREE577
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
I’m in my 2nd year of a B.Sc. in Physics and unsure which field to pursue. I thought my next career would be based on what I'm interested in, but there are many fields in physics, and I don’t know where to start my self-study to explore them. What should I begin with?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ansabs
Physics news on Phys.org
What led you to major in physics in the first place?
 
As you move into upper year physics, you should really be exploring as much as you can. I don't think there's any specific formula for doing this. Lots of people don't really figure out what subfield they want to get into until graduate school is looming. But things that can help include:
  • Attend departmental colloquia.
  • Take introductory courses to the difference sub-fields that are available.
  • Try to get involved in a research project.
  • Join your undergraduate physics society and start making friends with more senior undergraduate students and even graduate students.
  • Make time for independent reading.
  • If you have a chance to attend a conference, go.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PhDeezNutz, ansabs, DeBangis21 and 4 others
Good advice so far. Also, read a lot. At the least, read Physics Today every month.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PhDeezNutz, DeBangis21 and berkeman
SUBHASREE577 said:
I’m in my 2nd year of a B.Sc. in Physics and unsure which field to pursue. I thought my next career would be based on what I'm interested in, but there are many fields in physics, and I don’t know where to start my self-study to explore them. What should I begin with?
<<Emphasis added>> Also, are you planning to get a job after you complete your B.Sc., or are you planning to go for a graduate degree (master's or PhD)?
 
Choppy said:
As you move into upper year physics, you should really be exploring as much as you can. I don't think there's any specific formula for doing this. Lots of people don't really figure out what subfield they want to get into until graduate school is looming. But things that can help include:
  • Attend departmental colloquia.
  • Take introductory courses to the difference sub-fields that are available.
  • Try to get involved in a research project.
  • Join your undergraduate physics society and start making friends with more senior undergraduate students and even graduate students.
  • Make time for independent reading.
  • If you have a chance to attend a conference, go.
Thankyou
 
CrysPhys said:
What led you to major in physics in the first place?
Honestly, I could relate to the concept easily and that raised my interest in physics.
Among chemistry, physics,math and CS (options I got to major further)I could understand physics comparatively more.
 
CrysPhys said:
<<Emphasis added>> Also, are you planning to get a job after you complete your B.Sc., or are you planning to go for a graduate degree (master's or PhD)?
I am planning to go for master's degree
 
What are you hoping to do with a master's degree that you can't do with a bachelor's?
 
  • #10
Just a feeling, @Choppy in post #3 gave the best advice. Part of this "feeling", is experience counts, more or less. Physics is for an Education. What do you want as a Job?
 

Similar threads

Replies
28
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K