Options After Getting Undergrad Physics Degree

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I'm about to go to college in one year, so I'm trying to figure out what I want to do (which college I want to go to, what major, etc.) Right now, I am most likely looking at majoring in physics and doing the pre-med track. Of course, though, this is only tentative...who knows what I'll want to do in a year or so?! But, as it stands with my current plan, I'll pursue my physics degree and then apply to med schools in the U.S. What I want to know is, if med school doesn't end up working out for me, what are some possible options for. And, if I were to continue my physics career and get a Ph.D. in some area of physics, what career options are open to me, assuming I'm willing to expand my education into areas of computer science, mathematics, etc. I know that the chances of me receiving professorship at a university is extremely low, so I'd like to view more of the industry and government jobs available.

 

[carlgrace]

I'm about to go to college in one year, so I'm trying to figure out what I want to do (which college I want to go to, what major, etc.) Right now, I am most likely looking at majoring in physics and doing the pre-med track. Of course, though, this is only tentative...who knows what I'll want to do in a year or so?! But, as it stands with my current plan, I'll pursue my physics degree and then apply to med schools in the U.S. What I want to know is, if med school doesn't end up working out for me, what are some possible options for. And, if I were to continue my physics career and get a Ph.D. in some area of physics, what career options are open to me, assuming I'm willing to expand my education into areas of computer science, mathematics, etc. I know that the chances of me receiving professorship at a university is extremely low, so I'd like to view more of the industry and government jobs available.

Study physics if you love it, but be aware that the only physicists I know who have jobs doing physics research are the superstars. It's almost like professional sports in that way. It's hard to get a post-doc and even harder to get a full time job.

However, learning physics is a great foundation for finance-type and quantitative jobs both in industry and government. I would hazard a guess that as many physics Ph.Ds go into finance and defense analysis as go into physics after graduation.

A physics undergrad is also a good foundation for engineering grad studies but be aware you will have to take some additional remedial courses when you get to grad school.

Getting into med school while a physics student will be hard, but if you can pull it off you'll have a great foundation.

Good luck!