you know you’re a physics major if you… have no life - and you can prove it mathematically. know...
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You know you’re a physics major if You know you’re a physics major if you…you…
have no life - and you can PROVE it have no life - and you can PROVE it mathematically. mathematically.
know vector calculus but you can't know vector calculus but you can't remember how to do long division. remember how to do long division.
chuckle whenever anyone says 'centrifugal chuckle whenever anyone says 'centrifugal force.' force.'
You know you’re a physics major if You know you’re a physics major if you…you…
like to know how things work!like to know how things work!
like analytical problem solvinglike analytical problem solving
see math as a very cool tool (at least) see math as a very cool tool (at least)
Why a physics major?Why a physics major?
You love:You love: discovering how the physical universe discovering how the physical universe
worksworks making new or better technologiesmaking new or better technologies the highest pay, lowest unemployment the highest pay, lowest unemployment
among physical sciencesamong physical sciences best scores on LSAT, MCAT best scores on LSAT, MCAT (2009 reportMCAT second only to Biomed Eng)(2009 reportMCAT second only to Biomed Eng)
Physics is a great foundation for any career Physics is a great foundation for any career that involves technology or physical sciencethat involves technology or physical science
Careers for Careers for Physics MajorsPhysics Majors
1. Jobs for students with BS: Pie charts2. Jobs for PHD3. Pay4. Typical day in industry5. Graduate school
1. Typical day in National Lab2. Typical day in the academy
Physics
What do physics majors do with What do physics majors do with a bachelors degree?a bachelors degree?
Work in industryWork in industry Research and developmentResearch and development EngineeringEngineering Quality ControlQuality Control Computers, Information technologyComputers, Information technology FinanceFinance Government lab techniciansGovernment lab technicians
Teach high schoolTeach high school MilitaryMilitary
They pay you They pay you while you are while you are in graduate in graduate school in school in sciences like sciences like physics or physics or astronomyastronomy
Job Information Forum: Job Information Forum: An Industrial PerspectiveAn Industrial Perspective
Jeff SchwartzJeff Schwartz
WL Gore & AssociatesWL Gore & Associates
57th AVS Annual Symposium 10-19-2010
A Typical Day in industry…A Typical Day in industry…
Will depend on:Will depend on: size of companysize of company age of companyage of company phase of projectphase of project
Office Work:-Reports-Meetings-Reviews-Budget-Mentoring
Lab Work:-Experiments-Data Analysis-Statistics-Lab notebook-Lit. Research
Years at company (experience)
Office Work
Lab Work
– culture of company
– role hired for
Advice for IndustryAdvice for Industry
Recommended classesRecommended classes Statistics – Design of Experiments (DOE)Statistics – Design of Experiments (DOE) Intellectual propertyIntellectual property
InternshipsInternships Streamline Résumé or CVStreamline Résumé or CV
Be as succinct as possibleBe as succinct as possible Highlight skills that will be relevant to positionHighlight skills that will be relevant to position Include anything else you may think is importantInclude anything else you may think is important
Network – always take the opportunities to interactNetwork – always take the opportunities to interact Build relationship that may help you in the futureBuild relationship that may help you in the future Gain knowledgeGain knowledge
Advice for Industry (continued)Advice for Industry (continued)
InterviewingInterviewing Research company in advanceResearch company in advance Ask questionsAsk questions Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” Know answers to the obvious hard questionsKnow answers to the obvious hard questions
• Where do you want to be in 5 years?Where do you want to be in 5 years?• What is the most difficult ______ you have ever What is the most difficult ______ you have ever
done?done?• What type of work to you like to do?What type of work to you like to do?
Have examples in mindHave examples in mind
Benefits of IndustryBenefits of Industry
Research more geared to a product or Research more geared to a product or product focusproduct focus
Compensation – starting pay typically Compensation – starting pay typically higher (bonuses)higher (bonuses)
Don’t have to write grants*Don’t have to write grants**except for small business grants or start-ups*except for small business grants or start-ups
Nature jobs international salary survey, 2010 (www.nature.com)
Downside to IndustryDownside to Industry
Freedom to publish Freedom to publish Intellectual Property (IP) over publicationsIntellectual Property (IP) over publications
DownsizingDownsizing Acquiring technology instead of inventing itAcquiring technology instead of inventing it Research directed by business needsResearch directed by business needs
You might be a good fit in You might be a good fit in industry if…industry if…
You want to help a business grow.You want to help a business grow. even, or perhaps especially, if it’s your owneven, or perhaps especially, if it’s your own
You like You like applied problem solving.applied problem solving. Few companies have internal capabilities for truly fundamental Few companies have internal capabilities for truly fundamental
research.research. – – Fundamental research may be more prevalent in smaller or Fundamental research may be more prevalent in smaller or
privately held companies.privately held companies. You can live with “80/20 rule”.You can live with “80/20 rule”. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
You can tolerate (and maybe even like) the corporate environment.You can tolerate (and maybe even like) the corporate environment. Every company has its own culture; know the culture where you work.Every company has its own culture; know the culture where you work.
From Matt Wagner, industrial Careers 2008 AVS From Matt Wagner, industrial Careers 2008 AVS
““Engineer” compared to “Physicist” Engineer” compared to “Physicist” jobsjobs
In 2008, there were 1.6 million jobs titled “Engineer” In 2008, there were 1.6 million jobs titled “Engineer” http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm#emply http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm#emply
There were 16,000 jobs titled “Physicist” and 1500 titled There were 16,000 jobs titled “Physicist” and 1500 titled “Astronomer” “Astronomer” http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm
Many with physics degrees are among the 1.6 million Many with physics degrees are among the 1.6 million “Engineers” “Engineers”
As a group, jobs titled “Physicist” earn slightly more than As a group, jobs titled “Physicist” earn slightly more than those titled “Engineer”, but there are more “Physicists” those titled “Engineer”, but there are more “Physicists” with advanced degrees. with advanced degrees.
As a physics major, you are much more likely to be As a physics major, you are much more likely to be called an engineer than a physicist, even with a physics called an engineer than a physicist, even with a physics degree. degree.
Engineer job numbersEngineer job numbers
Jobs titled “Physicist”Jobs titled “Physicist”
Research & Dev 6300
Government 3600
Education 1800
Medical physicists (radiation, imaging) 1100
Manufacturing 800
Architectural and related engineering 700
Consulting 500
Utilities 400
Testing Labs 200
Waste management (nuclear) 100
Unemployment Rates Unemployment Rates (1996-1997 PhDs)(1996-1997 PhDs)
Graduate school & beyondGraduate school & beyond PhysicsPhysics
Careers with M.S. or Ph.DCareers with M.S. or Ph.D IndustryIndustry Government labsGovernment labs AcademicsAcademics
EngineeringEngineering Medical physics/biophysicsMedical physics/biophysics MedicineMedicine Law and patent law Law and patent law BusinessBusiness Economics/financeEconomics/finance
Technical schools pay you to study!
Those with an M.S. have important roles
Argonne
Brookhaven
LawrenceBerkeley
Oak Ridge
Pacific Northwest
Idaho
Los Alamos
Sandia
Sandia
Ames
Thomas Jefferson
Fermi
NationalEnergy Technology PrincetonLawrence
Livermore
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
SavannahRiver
NationalRenewableEnergy
KEY:
= NNSA Labs
= Science
= Nuclear Energy = Energy Efficiency and Renewable
= Fossil Energy
= Environmental Management
National LaboratoriesNational Laboratories
30
On-site workforce: 11,200 FY08 permanent workforce: 8,400 FY08 gross payroll: $886.1M FY08 budget: $2.3B
Technical Staff (3,844) by Degree(End of FY08)
Mechanical Engineering 16%
Electrical Engineering 19%
Other Engineering 15%
Sandia’s People
Other Fields 17%
Physics 6%
Chemistry 4%Math 2%
Other Science 4%Computing 16%
31
Top 3 hire fields comprise approximately 55% of technical hires
Diciplines of Most Technical Hires(FY03 – FY05)
Top 5 hire fields are approximately 70% of technical hires
Top 11 hire fields represent approximately 90% of technical hires
IT ME EE Physics ChemistryChemical Eng
Materials Science
MathBiologyNuclear Eng
Aerospace Eng
A National Lab Might Be a Good Place For You If…
•You are interested in applying your talents to resolving technical problems of national concern.•Your lifestyle is compatible with holding a security clearance. •You can adapt to having projects spanning from basic research to applied problem-solving related to manufacturing.•You can tolerate the government bureaucracy. (Nobody likes it.) •You want to work at a place in which you can have multiple jobs throughout your career without ever having to sell your house. (Applies particularly to larger national labs.)•You want a career with a high degree of flexibility and high job security.•You can tolerate good pay with minimal annual pay increase.
Working at a National Lab (Sandia-Centric View!)•Culture:
•Each NL will have its own culture– make sure you understand it•Each area within a NL will have its own culture
•Salary/Benefits:•Salary and benefits are good, but subject to mood of Congress/Board of Directors•Benefits include insurance (health, dental, long term care), 401(k), vacation•Some areas allow flex time•“9/80” schedule
•Work-Life Balance & Job Security:•Excellent
•Amount of Travel•You can choose your role and the amount of travel•Foreign travel often painful (bureaucratically)
•Ability to Publish/Present•Always favorable, but amount varies by administration– currently VERY favorable
Things to Consider for Your Career
•Are you a risk-taker or more conservative in choosing your project portfolio?
•Are you interested in doing lab work exclusively or serving in a program development role?
•Are you interested in an academic environment, a production or development environment, “black” (classified) work, or interacting with industry?
•Are you interested in global issues and foreign travel?•Are you interested in entrepreneurship?•Is it very important to you to make yourself rich?
•Network, Network, Network!!!
Unemployment Rates Unemployment Rates (1996-1997 PhDs)(1996-1997 PhDs)
Academic CareersAcademic Careers
Eva ChiEva Chi
Department of Chemical and Department of Chemical and Nuclear EngineeringNuclear Engineering
University of New MexicoUniversity of New Mexico
How Eva got hereHow Eva got here
1994 1999 20082004
BSChemistry and
Chemical Engineering
MS and PhDChemical Engineering
Postdoctoral FellowChemistry
AssistantProfessor
Chemical Engineering
REU
Internship
Research
Internship
Met my future
husband
Eva’s jobEva’s job
Avg. 50-70 hrs/weekAvg. 50-70 hrs/week ResearchResearch
Fund-raisingFund-raising MentoringMentoring PublishingPublishing ManagingManaging
TeachingTeaching Class room teachingClass room teaching GradingGrading MentoringMentoring
ServiceService Department and universityDepartment and university Professional activities and serviceProfessional activities and service
CollegialityCollegiality Building collaborationsBuilding collaborations
Captain of my own shipCaptain of my own ship
Complete Independen
ce
Complete Independen
ce
Sole Responsibil
ity
Sole Responsibil
ity
You might be a good fit for academia if… You might be a good fit for academia if…
you feel passionate about research and you feel passionate about research and solving open-ended problemssolving open-ended problems
you love to interact with studentsyou love to interact with students
you like or are competent at writingyou like or are competent at writing
QuestionsQuestions
What What skillsskills do you think physicists say do you think physicists say they they need mostneed most in the workplace? in the workplace?
US Labor statistics: Phys and Astro each US Labor statistics: Phys and Astro each projected to grow by 16% from 2008 to projected to grow by 16% from 2008 to 20182018
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes192012.htm Wage informationoes192012.htm Wage information
Besides making a living, what do you hope for in a Besides making a living, what do you hope for in a career?career?
Satisfaction and shopping at WalmartSatisfaction and shopping at Walmart
Typical Industrial Career Track Typical Industrial Career Track OptionsOptions
Technical LadderTechnical Ladder More focused on research and developmentMore focused on research and development Individual contributionIndividual contribution Working as member of a collaborative teamWorking as member of a collaborative team
Management LadderManagement Ladder More emphasis on directing the efforts of othersMore emphasis on directing the efforts of others
• Technical competence still crucialTechnical competence still crucial More involvement in strategic decisions More involvement in strategic decisions
• How IR&D will be spentHow IR&D will be spent• Product Development directionProduct Development direction
Often possible to switch tracks at various points in Often possible to switch tracks at various points in your careeryour career
Valued Skills in an Industry Valued Skills in an Industry EnvironmentEnvironment
Broad Technical CapabilityBroad Technical Capability Have key areas of expertise, but be adaptable and willing to learnHave key areas of expertise, but be adaptable and willing to learn Modeling and Analysis Modeling and Analysis
• Standard software tools (MATLAB, Saber, P-Spice, etc)Standard software tools (MATLAB, Saber, P-Spice, etc) Test and data assessmentTest and data assessment
Systems Engineering Systems Engineering Budgeting, planning, financial accountabilityBudgeting, planning, financial accountability
Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft ProjectExcel spreadsheets, Microsoft Project Schedule disciplineSchedule discipline Working in a collaborative environmentWorking in a collaborative environment Teamwork, and good communication skillsTeamwork, and good communication skills
Other Factors to ConsiderOther Factors to Consider Pick something that really appeals to you Pick something that really appeals to you
““Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life” ..day in your life” ..ConfuciusConfucius
Growth opportunitiesGrowth opportunities Determine the importance of geographic locationDetermine the importance of geographic location
Housing costsHousing costs Proximity to family, commute time, recreationProximity to family, commute time, recreation
Benefits – Medical, dental, financialBenefits – Medical, dental, financial
SummarySummary High Probability that a physics graduate will work High Probability that a physics graduate will work
in Industry or Governmentin Industry or Government There are a wide range of exciting optionsThere are a wide range of exciting options Key Skills Key Skills
Technical expertiseTechnical expertise Adaptability, and willingness to learnAdaptability, and willingness to learn TeamworkTeamwork Basic Financial and budgetary managementBasic Financial and budgetary management Written and verbal skills – especially reports and Written and verbal skills – especially reports and
presentationspresentations Physicists are in high demandPhysicists are in high demand
Many options are availableMany options are available Choose wiselyChoose wisely
““Engineer” compared to “Physicist” Engineer” compared to “Physicist” jobsjobs
In 2008, there were 1.6 million jobs titled “Engineer” In 2008, there were 1.6 million jobs titled “Engineer” http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm#emply http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm#emply
There were 16,000 jobs titled “Physicist” and 1500 titled There were 16,000 jobs titled “Physicist” and 1500 titled “Astronomer” “Astronomer” http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm
Many with physics degrees are among the 1.6 million Many with physics degrees are among the 1.6 million “Engineers” “Engineers”
As a group, jobs titled “Physicist” earn slightly more than As a group, jobs titled “Physicist” earn slightly more than those titled “Engineer”, but there are more “Physicists” those titled “Engineer”, but there are more “Physicists” with advanced degrees. with advanced degrees.
As a physics major, you are much more likely to be As a physics major, you are much more likely to be called an engineer than a physicist, even with a physics called an engineer than a physicist, even with a physics degree. degree.
Engineer job numbersEngineer job numbers
Jobs titled “Physicist”Jobs titled “Physicist”
Research & Dev 6300
Government 3600
Education 1800
Medical physicists (radiation, imaging) 1100
Manufacturing 800
Architectural and related engineering 700
Consulting 500
Utilities 400
Testing Labs 200
Waste management (nuclear) 100
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm#projections_data http://www.guidetocareereducation.com/tips-and-tools/physics-careersWho’s hiring where? http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/states/state.html