What Are the Job Prospects for Physics Graduates in Australia?

[Gelsamel Epsilon]

I'm really having to think about what I should do in the long run. I'm in year 12, I finnish physics last year and I really loved it. I'm doing chemistry and bio this year along with Specialist (calculus) and Methods (regular math, they make you do it at the same time :( ).

The problem is - I do absolutely NO work at all. So far in Chemistry and Biology all I've done is listen to what the teacher has said, other then that no practice questions or anything. And while I still go okay (B in both Bio and Chem mid year, which I was very suprised at considering I missed the last 2 pages on the Chem Exam) I'm affraid that if I don't work in university (even though I tell myself I will work, I'm not going to be supprised if I don't) that I'm just going to end up wasting money and time, and probably become a rundown physics teacher.

I'm looking at doing something in physics and I'd really love to do research in Nuclear physics area (since it's the thing I like doing most). There isn't a problem with getting an ENTER (for those who are familiar with Australian schooling) because it's only 53 since no one at all does physics. But I'm curious as to whether there are some if any job prospects for physicists in Australia.

So basically, am I just wasting time with this job line (job prospect, and then possibility of me not working at all, wise)?

And if not what else is there to do?

It would be awesome if answers were Australia-specific but any experiences or other things anyone would like to share would be cool as well.

~Gelsamel

 

[mtong]

Hi Gelsamel Epsilon.

I just came through the High School (in Australia) and I did not do all that much work. I did however get into the course I wanted a degree in (Electrical engineering / Physics) and am currently quite happy.

Compared to the states the job prospects for physics are quite limited in Australia and I would consider nuclear physics to be even more so. That said, there are still jobs available, and plenty more open to you that are not directly linked to physics. Job wise this is why I selected to do a double degree (which I would suggest if you are concerned about getting a job).

On another note I will say that if you are not working because disinterest course work, I would be inclined to think that even if you get into your dream course, there will still be subjects that do not interest you and will subsequently pull you down.

because it's only 53 since no one at all does physics

Which university is this? This is certainly not the case at all universities, many of which have healthy student numbers in physics. For example at my uni (University of Melbourne) a science degree requires an ENTER of (80).

Regards,
Lucas

 

[Gelsamel Epsilon]

Yes, the science degrees I've looked at are 80+, but specifically physics one (so not the science degrees where you have a range of stuff to choose from) are around the 50s. My guess was just no one does it at all.