Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the job opportunities available for physicists in major energy companies located in Houston, particularly in the context of the oil industry. Participants explore the roles physicists might play in these companies, the relevance of various physics disciplines, and the nature of employment alongside other engineering professionals.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants note that physicists are not necessarily more likely to work in industry than in academia, raising questions about the specific roles available in oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil.
- One participant mentions that physicists can solve problems related to drilling and fluid dynamics at oil companies, suggesting practical applications of their expertise.
- Another participant highlights the role of geophysicists in oil exploration, indicating a specific area where physicists are employed.
- There is a discussion about the relevance of complex and quantum physics to the oil industry, with one participant arguing that quantum physics is largely irrelevant to oil company problems, while acknowledging its importance in other fields like electronics.
- Some participants speculate about the potential roles of physicists at Schlumberger and other companies, questioning how physicists might fit into the broader workforce alongside engineers.
- There is a suggestion that physicists are often employed in various capacities beyond technical roles, including project management and support positions.
- One participant raises the idea of a physics research company focused on astrophysics and theoretical physics, prompting a discussion about funding and the historical context of corporate research.
- Another participant reflects on the past when large companies conducted scientific research for public recognition and talent attraction, contrasting it with the current landscape of corporate research funding.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the employment of physicists in the oil industry, with no clear consensus on the specific roles they might occupy or the relevance of various physics disciplines to these roles. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential for physicists in fields like astrophysics within corporate settings.
Contextual Notes
Participants acknowledge the complexity of job roles and the varying degrees of relevance of different physics disciplines to the oil industry. There are also indications of changing trends in corporate research funding and employment practices over time.