Area

• Development
• Testing
• Consulting
• Administration
• Education

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Military
• Government laboratories
• Nonprofit research centers
• 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.

Area

• Research
• Consulting
• Writing
• Public Relations
• Education

Employer

• Observatories
• Laboratories
• Planetariums
• Science museums
• Nonprofit foundations
• Colleges and universities
• 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.

Area

• Consulting
• Administration
• Research

Employer

• Research centers
• Colleges and universities
• Observatories
• Planetariums
• Aerospace industry
• Scientific supply industry
• 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.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Consulting
• Administration

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Medical and dental schools
• Government laboratories
• Nonprofit research centers
• 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.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Administration

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Government laboratories
• Government agencies
• Industry

Information/Strategies

• Take courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics for graduate school preparation in this interdisciplinary field.
• Seek undergraduate research experience to develop laboratory and computer skills.
• Gain research experience in both physics and chemistry.
• Become familiar with the various forms of spectroscopy.
• Obtain advanced degree for more opportunities in industry, research, or education.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Consulting
• Administration

Employer

• Government laboratories
• Nonprofit research centers
• Colleges and universities
• Electronics industry e.g., microprocessors, magnetic imaging, communications, automobile, navigation/guidance systems
• Government agencies e.g., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Energy

Information/Strategies

• Develop strong mathematical, chemistry, and computer science skills.
• Seek research experience through internships or by assisting faculty with projects.
• Acquire advanced degree for opportunities in industry, research, or education.
• Become familiar with various forms of characterization techniques such as optical and electron spectroscopy and neutron scattering.

Area

• Engineering (Process and Testing)
• Quality Control
• Research
• Development
• Instrumentation
• Consulting

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Government laboratories
• Government agencies e.g., Department of Commerce, Department of Defense
• Engineering firms
• Manufacturing and processing firms
• Industry e.g. high technology, chemical, aerospace, agriculture, energy, fuel, computer, transportation
• Hospitals

Information/Strategies

• Choose a major in engineering physics or supplement physics major with engineering minor.
• Seek internship or co-op experience in area of interest.
• Develop strong oral and written communication skills.
• Complete applicable certification or licensure through professional organizations.
• Pursue advanced degree in engineering, engineering physics, or physics for increased opportunities.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Environmental Consulting
• Law
• Administration

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit research centers
• Government e.g., State and Federal Geological Survey, Army Map Service, Naval Oceanographic Office
• Government laboratories
• Military
• Industry e.g., petroleum, mining, hydrogeology
• Consulting firms
• Law firms

Information/Strategies

• Specialize in geophysics at the undergraduate level or supplement physics degree with geology major or minor.
• Develop solid computer, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and physics knowledge.
• Seek experience with national labs or industry researching specializations of interest.
• Take business classes for increased marketability in advanced prospecting positions (risk analysis for drilling, mining, exploration).
• Maintain good physical condition and be open to travel.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Clinical Service
• Consulting
• Administration
• Monitoring
• Enforcement

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Government laboratories
• 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.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Consulting
• Instrumentation
• Administration
• Law
• Quality Control
• Operations and Maintenance

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Military
• Industry e.g., security/weapons, nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors, nuclear instrumentation, radioisotope products, transportation, healthcare, environmental protection, food irradiation
• Government laboratories and research centers
• Government agencies e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy

Information/Strategies

• Acquire a strong mathematics, computer science, and chemistry background.
• Choose a theoretical or experimental track.
• Seek internship experience in your specialty area.
• Pursue master’s degree or Ph.D. for advanced positions in industry.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Consulting
• Administration

Employer

• Colleges and universities
• Government laboratories
• Nonprofit research centers
• Industry e.g., medical scanners, eyeglasses, binoculars, microscopes, lasers, holography, display technologies, x-ray, ultraviolet spectra, fiber optics
• Federal agencies e.g., NASA, Department of Energy, Department of Defense

Information/Strategies

• Gain experience in the optics field through internships or research with professors.
• Supplement program with courses in electricity, magnetism, quantum mechanics, and electronics.
• Obtain a master’s degree for positions in industry.
• Understand lasing and optical media.

Area

• Basic and Applied Research
• Development
• Consulting
• Instrumentation
• Administration
• Operations and Maintenance

Employer

• Government laboratories
• Nonprofit research centers
• Colleges and universities

Information/Strategies

• Acquire a strong mathematics, computer science, and chemistry background.
• Choose a theoretical or experimental track.
• Seek internship experience in your specialty area.
• Pursue Ph.D. for advanced positions in academia.

Area

• Teaching
• Computer Software Development
• Educational Research
• Writing and Editing
• Library and Information Sciences

Employer

• Public school systems, K-12
• Private schools, K-12
• Publishing companies: books, magazines, videos
• Software developers
• Libraries

Information/Strategies

• Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Gain experience working with age group of interest through volunteering and tutoring.
• Become skilled in the use of computers and laboratory equipment.
• Maintain current knowledge of state and national legislation regarding teacher licensure.
• Acquire appropriate state teacher certification for K-12 teaching opportunities.
• Seek advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching, and other professional positions.