What Are the Job Prospects for a Physics Student with No Experience?

AI Thread Summary
A 20-year-old physics student at the University of Durham is concerned about entering the job market without any work experience, especially given the current economic climate with layoffs and limited job opportunities. Despite attempts to secure a summer job with DSTL and volunteering at the Royal Observatory, he has faced rejections and no responses. He expresses a desire for meaningful employment that utilizes his education rather than settling for low-skill jobs. Other participants in the discussion suggest applying for internships, even if they are typically for current students, as a potential avenue for gaining experience. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by students in finding relevant summer employment in a competitive job market.
Hypochondriac
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
I'm a 20y.o. physics student at the university of durham UK.
I've never had a job, so I reckon by the time I graduate etc. it'll be hard for me to get started with a career because of my lack of experience.

The job market isn't exactly fruitful at the moment, people are being laid off everywhere and not many jobs about, so I've been finding it hard to find a summer job I tried getting a summer job with the DSTL this summer, but they rejected me, I even offered to volunteer at the royal observatory and they didn't even get back to me.

As there's not many people with my qualifications (i.e. like people just leaving school etc), I would've thought there may be some jobs available that I'm qualified for, (i'd rather not be stacking shelves etc, i'd like to think my education is worth something)

I'm just wondering what other jobs there are about (for the summer) that I could put my skills to? any ideas?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hey, I'm in the same boat as you. I just spent the last 2 hours applying to anything and everything physics related I could find on Monster.com. I cannot tell you how many leads and connections I've tried to take advantage of. I guess I have had some relevant work experience in the form of doing some research with a professor, but still nothing job related. Kinda wondering if grad school is the answer.

Also, maybe there could be some traction in applying for an internship? I know most programs are strictly for in-college students, but hey, why not?
 

Thread 'Working for defense company?'

I don't know if anyone on here works for any of the well known defense companies of your country, whichever country you are from?? Also, if you choose to work in one, do you think the engineering education provide from your school would adequately prepare you for the job. What do I mean by that? Well if you work at say Lockheed Martin and you work in the latest iteration of a missile or if you work at Pratt & Whitney, they assign you to work in the team helping out with building the jet...
View full post »

Thread 'Physics Major Considering Masters in EE -- Need help!'

Hello, I graduated from undergrad a few years ago with a Major in Physics and minor in Electrical Engineering. I tried to get experience working on and testing circuits through my professor who studied Neutrinos, however covid caused the opportunity to go away and I graduated with no experience or internships. I have attempted to break into the engineering industry with no success. Right now I am considering going for a Masters in Electrical Engineering and I need advice on if this would be...
View full post »

Thread 'Is a career in Optics/Photonics engineering right for me?'

So lately, my interest in the realm of optics/optoelectronics/photonics engineering has grown and I have started to seriously consider pursuing a career in the field. I have done a bit of career research and also have done some learning on the side to gather more knowledge on these topics. However, I have some questions on what a career in these fields would look like, and I wanted to find out more about this area to know what I would be getting myself into if I did make the choice to pursue...
View full post »

Similar threads

Physics How do I make myself a better job candidate?
Replies
10
Views
2K
BSc in Meteorology with no experience -- Is it reasonable to look for international jobs?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Engineering Finding the right Career Path/Job Prospects in EE
Replies
39
Views
6K
Physics Job prospects for accelerator physics
Replies
9
Views
4K
Math There are no job sites for STEM majors with no experience, are there?
Replies
17
Views
3K
Other Graduate job prospects without industrial year
Replies
1
Views
1K
Physics Working as a Researcher in academia without teaching/lecturing
Replies
19
Views
4K
Physics Does a datascience job help in applying for PhD or physics scholarship
Replies
15
Views
3K
Job Skills Possibilities of a Career in Physics/Engineering
Replies
21
Views
4K
Physics Going back for a masters, or is work experience just as good
Replies
6
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top