JOBS

 

Currently about half of our seniors seek employment after receiving their degrees.  The other half pursues further study—in physics (or a closely related discipline), business, medicine, or law.


The best way to obtain industrial or government employment after you receive your BS is by “knowing someone.”  We have a network of alumni working outside of academia; it should be possible to help make contacts for you—but to do so effectively requires you selling yourself.  In this regard, we have found that a successful research experience is frequently a marketable commodity.


A preparing-to-find-a-job to-do list should include:


•Become acquainted with what employment for physics BSs is like; an excellent resource for this is at the AIP statistics website.

•Practice writing.  Be able to write convincing documents is an enormously powerful and highly valued skill. 

•Practice working with others to solve complicated problems.

•Practice back-of-the-envelope estimations.

•Learn how to write computer code (for example, using Matlab). 

•Learn how to interface instruments with computers (for example, using LabVIEW).

•Create an informative and engaging CV emphasizing the specific skills you would bring to your job.

•Prepare a short written description of your research accomplishments, convincing the reader of your OWNERSHIP of the project.

•Do some homework: what does the company or lab you are applying to do?  How can your skills benefit your potential employer?

•If you get that far, you will have to do an interview.  Rehearse!  Be able to express what you want to say about yourself with confidence.