What exactly of the odds of getting a job doing....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the job prospects for individuals pursuing research in astrophysics and quantum mechanics, as well as the potential for mathematicians with a master's degree. Participants explore the availability of positions, the typical career paths, and the factors influencing job acquisition in these fields.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that it is not easy to secure a job in astrophysics or quantum mechanics due to limited availability of positions.
  • One participant notes that most individuals in these fields often remain at the universities where they graduated, particularly after completing their PhDs.
  • Another participant elaborates that after obtaining a PhD, researchers typically pursue short-term post-doc positions at various universities before potentially landing a tenure-track position.
  • There is a mention of a personal anecdote regarding a physicist who worked at their alma mater, indicating variability in career paths.
  • One participant questions the feasibility of determining "exact odds" for becoming a mathematician with just a master's degree, emphasizing the role of personal ability, tenacity, and luck.
  • A speculative estimate is provided regarding the percentage of PhD graduates who secure research positions, along with statistics about graduate student retention and admission rates to graduate programs.
  • Another participant asserts that achieving a high GPA and performing well on the PGRE could lead to job opportunities during graduate studies, but expresses uncertainty about long-term prospects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ease of obtaining jobs in astrophysics and quantum mechanics, with no consensus on the exact odds of securing such positions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific career trajectories and job market conditions in these fields.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability in career paths and the influence of personal circumstances on job prospects, indicating that assumptions about job availability may depend on individual experiences and definitions of success in the field.

Apple_Mango
Is it easy to get a job doing research on astrophysics and quantum mechanics?
 
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You're question is not detailed enough. Neither astrophysics nor quantum mechanics have a lot of jobs available. Most people working in these fields just work from the university they graduated from.
 
Easy? Not really. No.
 
CarmineS said:
Most people working in these fields just work from the university they graduated from.
No. After they finish their PhD, they usually do a couple of short-term post-doc positions at other universities, then (if they are lucky) they land a tenure-track assistant professor position at yet another university. It would be unusual to continue as a post-doc at the university that you get your PhD from.
 
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jtbell said:
No. After they finishing their PhD, they usually do a couple of short-term post-doc positions at other universities, then (if they are lucky) they land a tenure-track assistant professor position at yet another university. It would be unusual to continue as a post-doc at the university that you get your PhD from.

Really? I was not aware. I only know one physicist and they researched at the university they graduated from.
 
I don't want to make another thread for this question but what exactly are the odds of being a mathematician with just a masters?

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm

This sounds very appealing more so than working at a bank with applied math major.
 
"Exactly the odds"? Come on man, you should know that is not possible. It depends on your ability, tenacity and luck.

Ill make a guess… based on large populations and not you specifically… 15% of PhDs manage get that kind of job, 66% of grad students don't wash out or quit, 70% of prospective PhD students get into grad school, 40% of freshman prospective asto/quantum researchers get a BS.

You can multiply those together and get a very small percentage. Of course this is just my guess. But know that most physics grads get jobs outside of physics. A plan b is highly advised.

As for mathematician, it depends on how you want to define it. Doing research? Its probably better to think more along the lines of what you want to do rather than the title.
 
Apple_Mango said:
Is it easy to get a job doing research on astrophysics and quantum mechanics?

Yes. Graduate with a BS in Physics with a 3.7+ GPA and earn in the 80th percentile on the PGRE. You will have a job for 5-8 years as a grad student doing the research you desire. After that? Who knows.
 

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