Industry e.g., electronics, building design, medical instrumentation, communications, engineering, noise pollution, petroleum, sound recording, film production
Information/Strategies
Supplement program with courses in engineering, environmental science, urban planning, remote sensing, physiology, performing arts, audio broadcasting, speech communication, film production, or other areas of interest.
Seek internship experience in your specialty area.
Stay abreast of federal, state, and local environmental regulations for the environmental impact positions.
Become familiar with technologies used to measure/ monitor noise levels.
Obtain a graduate degree for additional opportunities in industry and education.
Industry e.g., aerospace, scientific supply, computer software, remote sensing, communications
Federal government: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Naval Observatory, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Information/Strategies
Obtain experience through part-time or voluntary position in a planetarium, observatory, or science museum.
Cultivate broad knowledge of astronomy and speaking skills for jobs working with the public.
Develop strong writing skills for preparing scientific reports.
Seek undergraduate research opportunities with professors in the field.
Develop a specialty area of expertise such as remote sensing, instrumentation, computer applications, etc.
Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research positions.
Federal government: Military, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Airports
Information/Strategies
Seek lab courses for direct experience with equipment and observatory tools.
Participate in research with scholars in the field.
Complete an internship with a research organization or related industry.
Develop computer and oral and written communication skills.
Learn to be effective in both independent research role and team environment.
Earn an advanced degree for most teaching and research positions.
Industry e.g., biotechnology, environment, pharmaceuticals, food science, toxicology
Hospitals
Information/Strategies
Biophysics is considered an interdisciplinary field at the undergraduate level; most students prepare to enter by majoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics with supplementary courses in biology or by majoring in biology, biochemistry or molecular biology with supplementary courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Plan to specialize in an area such as experimental biophysics or computational biophysics and choose courses accordingly.
Seek research experience through work with a professor or internships.
Earn a bachelor’s degree for most technician positions.
Obtain advanced degree for higher-level positions in industry in academia.
Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Health and Human Services
Nonprofit research centers
Industry e.g., medical instrumentation, nuclear power, nuclear accelerator, food sterilization, petroleum
Environmental firms
Hospitals, clinics, medical centers
Information/Strategies
Gain experience with air and water testing techniques and analysis and radiation detection instruments.
Develop strong communication skills for training radiation workers and members of the general public and for collaborating with physicians in healthcare settings.
Maintain current knowledge of government standards and regulations.
Learn medical uses of radiation for work in the healthcare industry.
Seek certification from the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists for some positions.
Complete a master’s degree and certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) for health physicist positions.
Earn a Ph.D. and certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) for top university teaching, research, and administrative positions.
Gain experience at a hospital or clinic to prepare for work in healthcare settings; clinical residency training may be required.
Physicists are interested in solving complex, technical problems.
Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in the field. Schedule informational interviews to learn about the profession and specific career paths.
Join relevant professional associations. Attend meetings and stay up-to-date on research/publications.
Acquire excellent oral and written communication skills.
Gain experience using scientific instruments and equipment. Computer skills are critical.
Participate in summer research institutes. Submit research to local poster competitions or research symposiums.
A willingness to relocate is helpful due to limited opportunities in specialized areas.
A bachelor’s degree will qualify for positions as research assistants, high-level technicians, or computer specialists, as well as nontechnical work in publishing or sales.
An undergraduate degree also provides a solid background for pursuing advanced degrees in other employment areas such as law, business, or accounting.
A graduate degree and post-graduate experience will allow for more responsibility and advancement in the field of physics.
An earned doctorate is required for college or university teaching, advanced research, and administrative positions.
A bachelor’s degree and state teacher certification are required for K-12 teaching opportunities.
Become familiar with government job application process for positions in federal, state, or local government.