Job Skills Private sector research, undergraduate physics

[HamiltOnion]

Hello, I'm about to graduate with undergraduate degrees in physics and computer science. I'm considering applying to graduate school because I want to do physics research, but I also need a decent job at the moment (I don't believe that graduate students get paid more than a survival wage). Is there anything remotely like that in the private sector for someone with just an undergraduate degree?

EDIT: I live on the North American continent but am willing to relocate anywhere. Anywhere.

 

[CrysPhys]

Hello, I'm about to graduate with undergraduate degrees in physics and computer science. I'm considering applying to graduate school because I want to do physics research, but I also need a decent job at the moment (I don't believe that graduate students get paid more than a survival wage). Is there anything remotely like that in the private sector for someone with just an undergraduate degree?

EDIT: I live on the North American continent but am willing to relocate anywhere. Anywhere.

<<Emphasis added.>>

* Just to clarify: Did you double major? That is, you're graduating with enough credits in physics to earn a bachelor's in physics and enough credits in computer science to earn a bachelor's in computer science?

* If so, are you interested only in a "physics job"? What about a "computer science" job?

* OK, you live on the North American continent. But what is your citizenship? That will affect the options available to you.

 

[HamiltOnion]

<<Emphasis added.>>

* Just to clarify: Did you double major? That is, you're graduating with enough credits in physics to earn a bachelor's in physics and enough credits in computer science to earn a bachelor's in computer science?

* If so, are you interested only in a "physics job"? What about a "computer science" job?

* OK, you live on the North American continent. But what is your citizenship? That will affect the options available to you.

Thanks for responding.

* I have two separate majors. My physics major came second, after I fully graduated with my computer science major.

* I absolutely don't mind taking a "computer science job". I quite like programming. I would definitely prefer to have a job that had a novel research component. It would also be nice (though not necessary) if it was something that I could present for grad school application.

* I have dual American and Canadian citizenship.

 

[CrysPhys]

Thanks for responding.

* I have two separate majors. My physics major came second, after I fully graduated with my computer science major.

* I absolutely don't mind taking a "computer science job". I quite like programming. I would definitely prefer to have a job that had a novel research component. It would also be nice (though not necessary) if it was something that I could present for grad school application.

* I have dual American and Canadian citizenship.

OK. That helps.

* Start with the helpful information on the American Physical Society (APS) website: https://aps.org/. Click on the tab, "Careers in Physics". Explore the various categories and links for info on employment for people with bachelor's in physics.

* In particular, here's a listing originally posted Aug 2019 of US companies who hired people with bachelor's in physics: https://www.aip.org/statistics/whos-hiring-physics-bachelors.

* Typically (unless you've had extensive undergrad research or internship experience), you will be hired as a research assistant or technician (usual caveat: exceptions apply). E.g., the lead or principal investigator will likely have a PhD, and he will partition specific tasks or assignments to research assistants. Some of these tasks or assignments will likely be mundane. But if your intent is to go to grad school (say, within two years or so?), (a) it won't be too long a stint, (b) you'll get practical experience, and (c) you'll likely get a stronger motivation for grad school. [Or, you could find a slot that you like and that has long-term growth potential, and decide that grad school is not needed.]