Other careers apart from Physics?

Michaelrsh

O.K.

I've just started a BSc in Physics with Astronomy and Space Science (Primarily in Physics) in UCD. I was wondering if there are any careers out there (that one can earn dissent pay in) that are not physics related. Just to say I definately want to do a MSc or a PhD in physics (I've heard that a BSc in Physics is worth nothing). I've also heard that there are next to no jobs available for physicist out there where one can earn a good salary. It is because of this that I might consider transferring to something else later on. Can one transfer into finance, banking, accountancy, actuary, etc., with physics?

(I do have a passion for physics but I like to be realistic also).

Another reason why I'm asking this question is to gain added motivation to study my course, just to know that I am not doing it for nothing (something that has been battling my conscious since I started my course) not that my passion for physics isn't giving me motivation already.

Thanks!

glaston

There will be opportunities but you will have to work hard. My advice is to get the best results you can and try to get on a Graduate program.

Unfortunately many companies in Ireland have very narrow minded approach to recruiting graduates and tend to interview and recruit people from specific courses only.

Try to get info about graduate programs in England with companies such as Bain, ING Bank. Companies like these usually take in a certain number of science/engineering graduates as they have natural analytical/problem solving skills. Check out the link:

http://www.graduateelite.com/graduate_careers.php

Many of these companies are looking for the whole package; academic achievement, ambition, work ethic plus confident and articulate.
If you get good results thats one box ticked, all you have to do then is convince them you have the rest!

Good luck.

marco_polo

I am pretty sure that others will give more specific advice, but I would think physics degrees are valued by employers and the skills transferable to a wide range of areas.

Practically any maths related areas, medical physics, bioengineering, electronics, telecommunications, financal area, computers, meteorology, geophysics are a few potential avenues that I can think of. I suppose it would easier with post graduate specialisation though.

Perhaps have a chat to career services in college?

dudara

I have a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Elec Eng. I now work as a management consultant. Some careers that my friends have persued include

• Financial Risk Manager
• Investment Banker
• Actuary with a catastrophe insurance company
• Professional scientists of various types
• Instrumentation designer
• Software developer on Physics engines as used in modern games
• Teaching at primary, secondary and tertiary levels
• Online advertising

All of these people would have various combinations of MSc and PhD. As you can see, anything that requires a logical and analytical approach is possible.

Michaelrsh

dudara wrote: »

I have a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Elec Eng. I now work as a management consultant. Some careers that my friends have persued include

• Financial Risk Manager
• Investment Banker
• Actuary with a catastrophe insurance company
• Professional scientists of various types
• Instrumentation designer
• Software developer on Physics engines as used in modern games
• Teaching at primary, secondary and tertiary levels
• Online advertising

All of these people would have various combinations of MSc and PhD. As you can see, anything that requires a logical and analytical approach is possible.

Thanks a million for the advise.

fillmore jive

Go up to the student common room on the third floor of the physics building and you'll find a few books there on jobs in IT, finance, engineering etc. which all look for physics grads.

Professor_Fink

Yeah, I tend to agree with Marco and Dudara. There are loads of jobs out there for physicists. Most of the people I know who have left physics have gone into either finance, software development/engineering or consultancy, but there are certainly a wide range of possibilities.

ardmacha

this guy moved out of Physics
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055426019

YFlyer

Michaelrsh wrote: »

O.K.

I've also heard that there are next to no jobs available for physicist out there where one can earn a good salary.

Thanks!

I predict that the energy sector in regard to fuel cells etc. will be huge in the not too distant future.

www.cpi.ul.ie/

Tears in Rain

Would the majority of graduates of a Physics degree stay within Physics after graduating, or after pursuing some sort of post-grad?

i.e. how many Physics graduates would go on to be actual practicing Physicists say 6 or 8 years after graduating?

Michaelrsh

Tears in Rain wrote: »

Would the majority of graduates of a Physics degree stay within Physics after graduating, or after pursuing some sort of post-grad?

i.e. how many Physics graduates would go on to be actual practicing Physicists say 6 or 8 years after graduating?

I read a survey a while ago that said about 50% of Physics grads go on to post graduate courses in Physics. Then the rest branch out into things like finance, banking, engineering, etc., post-grads.

Tears in Rain

Michaelrsh wrote: »

I read a survey a while ago that said about 50% of Physics grads go on to post graduate courses in Physics. Then the rest branch out into things like finance, banking, engineering, etc., post-grads.

Cool, thanks

Neal_B

Im studying for an ordinary degree in physics @ dit, don't kno if i'll go on studying after. i was talking to career guidance folks recently and, without be too specific, i was told that an awful lot of jobs just look for that piece of paper called a degree and the rest is down to yourself.

I'm just gonna do as well as I can for now, get my piece of paper and show them what I've got on top of it. There are lots of skills that can't be taught in college.

Michaelrsh

Neal_B wrote: »

Im studying for an ordinary degree in physics @ dit, don't kno if i'll go on studying after. i was talking to career guidance folks recently and, without be too specific, i was told that an awful lot of jobs just look for that piece of paper called a degree and the rest is down to yourself.

I'm just gonna do as well as I can for now, get my piece of paper and show them what I've got on top of it. There are lots of skills that can't be taught in college.

Personally, I never listen to career guidence concellors, I rather take advise from people who have experience in the field.

Neal_B

might be better off, but the guidance counselers can give peace of mind and point you in the right direction also. in my experience anyway

nitrogen

Neal_B wrote: »

Im studying for an ordinary degree in physics @ dit, don't kno if i'll go on studying after. i was talking to career guidance folks recently and, without be too specific, i was told that an awful lot of jobs just look for that piece of paper called a degree and the rest is down to yourself.

I'm just gonna do as well as I can for now, get my piece of paper and show them what I've got on top of it. There are lots of skills that can't be taught in college.

Getting career advice from a career guidance councillor is like asking for relationship advice from a priest.

wyrn

Tears in Rain wrote: »

Would the majority of graduates of a Physics degree stay within Physics after graduating, or after pursuing some sort of post-grad?

i.e. how many Physics graduates would go on to be actual practicing Physicists say 6 or 8 years after graduating?

All bar two people in my class went on to postgraduate studies in physics (or something related). Pretty much the majority of the Theoretical Physics class did the same.

(dudura - that seems strangely suspicious as me. Oh it's a sign there is such a thing as a time machine...................)