Starting Jobs for PSM Grad + Physics BS?

[dlivingston]

Hey everyone!

I know this question has been asked a hundred times before, but my position is slightly different: I have a PSM (Professional Science Masters) in Nanoscience, as of Dec 2015, along with a Physics BS and am looking for starting jobs.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I find that my research experience is so generally scattered around several topics that it's hard to find a place where I am truly qualified, right out of the gate.
I'm open to any job suggestions at all! Industry, academia, and everything that lies in between...

A few key points:
• I have been very actively applying for Data Scientist positions, but without an active and developed GitHub, I haven't heard much back. I'll be working on some projects to leverage myself.
• I prefer software and theory to experimentalism, but am up for anything! Including finance, healthcare, etc.
• Ultimately, I want to be an entrepreneur, which is why I chose the PSM over an MSc. It combines in-depth study of physical phenomena with solid business developmental skills. I am not opposed to re-entering academia, however.
• My research background is largely software, and my PSM project involved me building a Monte Carlo in C++ and Fortran to study charge carriers in Germanium MOSFETs.
• For more info, my LinkedIn is https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrlivingston

Thank you all so much! I've been in a hiatus from this community but am looking forward to getting back into it.

Yours
Daniel

 

[Dr. Courtney]

You seem to be in a "What Color is Your Parachute?" situation with lots of possibilities.

Both the specific advice and the attitude of this book helped me a lot at similar points in my career. See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Color_is_Your_Parachute?

If you apply yourself to a truly national job search, I wouldn't expect it to be too hard to find a job in programming/data science.

Hiring managers often wonder what's up when they see a GPA for grad school, but not undergrad.

Putting some code in the public domain (Sourceforge, etc.) gives folks a chance to look at your code before they commit to an interview. In a national job search, it will cost a company significant $ to fly you out for an interview, and hiring managers are often limited to the number they can bring out. Provide a way for them to see your code without having to ask you for it.