Physics Resources Salaries - Diversity - Day In The Life - Education

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1 Physics Resources Salaries - Diversity - Day In The Life - Education Salaries Your earning potential is an interplay between your skills profile and the market value of those abilities. The salary data presented on this CD-ROM reflect the current norms. The salaries that are common when you complete your ultimate degree will be different, in part, because of inflation and, in part, because the relative demand for technological skills constantly changes. Variables Affecting Salaries Although a great many variables contribute to the salary you are likely to earn, the four major factors are: 1. highest degree (e.g., bachelors, masters, PhD), 2. credentials (e.g., licenses, board certification, and teaching certificates), 3. type of employer (e.g., academe, private sector, government), and 4. years of experience. Starting Salaries - Bachelors The starting salaries for physics bachelors vary significantly by where they work. The bachelors who are in technical positions typically receive higher than average salaries. Those physics bachelors who are in non-technical jobs tend to get paid less than the average. Although physics bachelors seldom work as physicists, the vast majority are employed in science, engineering, and science education. Most (about 60%) get their first job in the private sector and the rest are employed throughout the economy in a broad range of positions. Currently the most common occupations are in a variety of engineering and computer-related areas, high school teaching, civilian government and the active military Median Annual Salary of Class of 1995: Industry - $34,000 Civilian Government - $30,500 Active Military - $29,000 College/University - $26,000 High School - $24,500 Starting Salaries - Master's This data concerns individuals who entered the labor force right after earning a masters degree in physics. Most of these physicists came out of professional masters programs, but many left physics PhD programs with a master's. In general, physics masters start at higher salaries than physics bachelors. The term "starting salary" is often misleading in reference to recent physics masters. While some are entering the work force for the first time, others have

2 worked for years before starting their masters programs and their compensation reflects, in part, years of relevant work experience. The starting salaries vary significantly by where masters work. About half of physics masters who enter the labor force are employed in the private sector with a median salary of $40,000. Other common career paths are technical staff in universities, the active military, civilian government, and teaching either in a 2-year college or in a high school. Median Annual Salary of Class of 1995: Industry - $40,000 College/University - $31,000 Starting Salaries - PhD In general, physics PhDs working in industry earn more than those in academe, with government salaries falling between the two. About half of all physics PhDs take a postdoctoral appointment as their first position after earning their degrees; most of these (about 70%) are in universities. Postdoctoral positions are temporary, typically involve basic research or long-range applied research, and do not pay as well as permanent positions. Most of the PhDs whose first jobs are permanent are employed in the private sector. The physics PhDs whose initial positions are potentially permanent in academe are assistant professors in 4-year colleges and universities. Many of the PhD physicists with permanent positions in industry are working primarily in short range applied research, engineering, and software development. Starting Salary for Physics PhDs by Type of Position and Employment Sector - Class of 1995 Industry - Permanent Employment - $56,000 Industry - Postdoctoral Position - $48,000 Government - Permanent Employment - $46,000 Government - Postdoctoral Position - $42,000 University - Permanent Employment - $40,000 University - Postdoctoral Position - $32,000 Salaries - Bachelors Individuals with a physics bachelors have, as a group, the fifth highest average salary when compared to all undergraduate majors. This is especially significant in light of the fact that physics bachelors hold a much broader variety of occupations than do bachelors who majored in engineering or computer science. While most physics bachelors are employed as engineers, computer specialists, managers and educators, others are scattered throughout the economy. In short, physics bachelors compete well in a market place that rewards individuals who are smart, have a broad technical background, are able to learn new skills quickly, and work hard. Salaries - Masters The physics masters depicted in the salary information below are pursuing a variety of different careers. More than half are in the private sector and are, in large part, employed as engineers, managers, computer specialists, and technical staff developing a variety of products and services. Nearly 20% are government employed in federal agencies, national labs, state and local government, and the military. They often work as engineers and scientists managing programs, projects and people. A similar number are employed in academe, mostly as high

3 school teachers and secondarily as faculty in 2-year colleges. However, comparatively few teach physics exclusively and they often teach courses in mathematics, chemistry, and other sciences as well. Finally more than a thousand physics masters are employed in medical physics. Most of them are board certified, are employed in hospitals, university medical schools, and other medical services, and, as a group, earn the highest salaries among physics masters. Salaries - PhD In general, physics PhDs earn more than masters, who in turn earn more than bachelors. Similarly, physicists in the private sector or in medical services tend to earn more than those in academe. Industrial employment provides the broadest variety of career paths. Thus, the range of typical salaries in the private sector is very wide. On the other hand, government salaries are often subject to upper limits imposed by federal and state legislators resulting in a very narrow range of typical salaries. Within academe, salaries are driven, in large part, by an individual's academic rank and whether he or she is employed in a research university or 4- year college. Where can I find more detailed salary information? There are many reliable sources for detailed salary information that you can tap into now, around the time you earn your ultimate degree, or when you are considering a job change. The first place to turn is the Education and Employment Statistics Division of the American Institute of Physics ( ). They publish regular reports on salaries for experienced physicists and related scientists as well as starting salaries for new physics degree recipients at the bachelors, masters and PhD levels. Visit their homepage to view the latest data, order a report, or ask a question: State-level information: The job market, especially at the bachelors level is regional, that is, the availability of specific jobs and the typical salaries vary considerably across different states. The following is a list of 35 states that regularly publish salary and employment data on the technological workforce in their states. Alabama Department of Industrial Relations 649 Monroe Street Montgomery AL (205) Alaska Department of Labor Box 5501 Juneau AK (907) Arizona Department of Economic Security P.O. Box 6123 Site Code 733A Phoenix AZ (602) Arkansas Employment Security Division P.O. Box 2981 Little Rock AR (501) Colorado Department of Labor and Employment 393 S. Harlan St. Lakewood CO (303) Employment Security Division 200 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield CT (203) Florida Dept. of Labor and Employment Security 2012 Capitol Circle SE. Tallahassee FL (904) Georgia Department of Labor 148 International Blvd. NE. Atlanta GA (404)

4 Idaho Department of Employment 317 Main St. Boise ID (208) Illinois Department of Employment Security 401 South State St. Chicago IL (312) Indiana Workforce Development 10 North Senate Ave. Indianapolis IN (317) Iowa Dept. of Employment Services 1000 East Grand Ave. Des Moines IA (515) Kansas Department of Human Resources 401 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka KS (913) Department for Employment Services 275 East Main St. Frankfort KY (502) Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Employment Security 20 Union St. Augusta ME (207) Mississippi Employment Security Commission P.O. Box 1699 Jackson MS (601) Department of Labor & Industry P.O. Box 1728 Helena MT (406) Nebraska Department of Labor P.O. Box Lincoln NE (402) New Hampshire Dept. of Employment Security 32 South Main St. Concord NH (603) New Jersey Department of Labor Labor and Industry Bldg. CN056 Trenton NJ (609) Employment Security Department P.O. Box 1928 Albuquerque NM (505) New York State Department of Labor State Campus, Bldg. 12 Albany NY (518) Employment Security Commission of North Carolina P.O. Box Raleigh NC (919) Job Service of North Dakota P.O. Box 1537 Bismark ND (701) Ohio Bureau of Employment Services P.O. Box 1618 Columbus OH (614) Oklahoma Employment Security Commission 2401 North Lincoln Oklahoma City OK (405) Rhode Island Department of Employment 107 Friendship St. Providence RI (401) South Carolina Employment Security Commission P.O. Box 995 Columbia SC (803) South Dakota Dept. of Labor P.O Aberdeen SD (605) Texas Employment Commission 1117 Trinity St. Austin TX (512)

5 Utah Department of Employment Security P.O. Box Salt Lake City UT (801) Vermont Dept. of Employment and Training P.O. Box 488 Montpelier VT (802) Virginia Employment Commission P.O. Box 1358 Richmond VA (804) West Virginia Bureau of Employment Security 112 California Ave. Charleston WV (304) Dept. of Industry P.O. Box 7944 Madison WI (608) Diversity In the last two decades, there has been a steady increase in the percentage of women pursuing a career in physics. The percentage of African Americans and Hispanic Americans in physics remains at a very low level. Women in Physics How many women are there in physics? Since the early 1970's, there has been a significant increase in the participation of women in physics. Women now earn 18% of physics bachelors and 13% of physics PhDs. While these are positive trends, it should be noted that women earn proportionately fewer degrees in physics than in most other disciplines. During the 1990's, the climate for women in physics has improved substantially. Now more than ever before, women are seen as legitimate members of the physics community and the data indicate that they are pursuing career paths similar to those of their male colleagues. Gender and Salaries Does gender affect salaries? While clearly unfair, in general, women still earn less than men. Within this overall trend, however, there are three issues that should be noted. First, education makes a difference, that is, women with PhDs tend to earn more than women with bachelors who, in turn, earn more than women with high school diplomas. Second, more women than men disrupt their careers and work part-time for family reasons. Thus, as a group, women tend to lag behind in the perceived years of experience they have accumulated. Third, gender differences in salaries have become smaller over the last few decades. Within physics, there is now little difference in the salaries received by women compared to men when level of degree, sector of employment, and years of experience are taken into account. African American with Bachelor's The natural sciences do not do well in attracting, preparing, recruiting, or retaining African Americans. Physics does somewhat worse than most of the others. Only 4% of the 4,200 physics bachelors awarded in 1996 were earned by African Americans. More than half of all African Americans who earn physics bachelor's degrees do so at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The following is a list of 33

6 Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer physics degrees: Alabama A & M University, AL Stillman College, AL Talladega College, AL Tuskegee University, AL Delaware State University, DE University of District of Columbia, DC Howard University, DC Bethune-Cookman College, FL Florida A & M University, FL Clark Atlanta University, GA Morehouse College, GA Spelman College, GA Dillard University, LA Grambling State University, LA Southern U. and A&M College, LA Southern University, New Orleans, LA Xavier University, LA Morgan State University, MD Jackson State University, MS Tougaloo College, MS Elizabeth City State University, NC North Carolina A & T State, NC North Carolina Central University, NC Shaw University, NC Lincoln University, PA Benedict College, SC South Carolina St. University, SC Fisk University, TN Tennessee State University, TN Prairie View A & M University, TX Hampton University, VA Norfolk State University, VA Virginia State University, VA African American with PhD's African Americans are severely under-represented in all natural sciences at the PhD level. Between 1973 and 1995, only 186 African Americans earned physics PhDs, less than 1% of all physics PhDs awarded during those 23 years. Some programs have been more successful than others. Stanford, Howard and MIT produced more than one-quarter of all African Americans who earned physics PhDs over the last 23 years. Below is a list of 17 physics departments accounting for more than half of all African-Americans earning physics PhDs from : Number of Black Physicists: 21 Stanford University 15 Howard University 14 MIT 7 University of California - Berkeley 5 UCLA 5 Kent State University 4 New York University 4 Alabama A&M University 3 American University 3 Brown University 3 Catholic University of America 3 CUNY 3 Illinois Institute of Technology 3 University of Maryland - College Park 3 Polytechnic University 3 Princeton University 3 SUNY - Albany Total number of black physicists from all physics PhD-granting departments: 186 Hispanic Americans with PhDs Hispanic Americans are also severely under-represented in all natural sciences at both the bachelors and PhD levels, but there has been some increase in their participation rates over the last decade. Hispanic Americans now earn about 3.5% of physics bachelors degrees compared to only 2% a decade ago. Similarly, between 1973 and 1995, only 320 Hispanic Americans earned physics PhDs, about 1.5% of all physics PhDs awarded during those 23 years. Some programs have been more successful than others. Below is a list of PhD

7 departments accounting for nearly half of all Hispanic US citizens earning physics PhDs from : Number of Hispanic Physicists 12 MIT 12 University of Texas - Austin 10 UCLA 10 University of Illinois - Urbana 9 University of California - Berkeley 9 University of Maryland - College Park 9 Penn State University 8 Stanford University 7 University of Florida 7 SUNY - Stony Brook 7 Texas A&M University 6 University of Arizona 6 Florida State University 6 Harvard University 6 University of Massachusetts - Amherst 6 New York University 6 University of Wisconsin - Madison Total number of Hispanic physicists from all PhD-granting departments: 320 Under-Represented Minorities and Salaries In general, whites get paid more than African Americans or Hispanic Americans. However, education does make a difference. Regardless of race or ethnic background, people with PhDs earn more than those with bachelors who, in turn, earn more than those with a high school diploma. Salary data on the physics community comes from sample surveys and there are too few African Americans and Hispanic Americans in these samples to provide reliable statistics. However, there is some reason to believe that in physics the salaries earned by under-represented minorities are closer to those earned by whites than is true of the general population. Organizations for Women and Minorities There are a number of organizations that provide advice, mentoring, and assistance to women and under-represented minorities. The following are a few such groups that focus specifically on the needs of women and minorities. The American Physical Society - Committee on the Status of Women in Physics American Association of Physics Teachers - Committee on Women American Women in Science National Conference of Black Physics Students Society of Black Physicists Society of Hispanic Physicists SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) Day in the Life More than most other majors, a physics degree is a passport into a broad range of science, engineering and education careers. Where you are likely to work will differ by the level of your highest degree.

8 Where Physicists Work Where you are likely to work will differ by the level of your highest degree. Thus, the private sector (including large corporations, small companies and the self-employed) employs 60% of physics bachelors and masters compared to 30% of physics PhDs. Within the education system, most physics bachelors and masters teach in high schools, while virtually all academically-employed physics PhDs hold faculty positions in universities or 4-year colleges. The government sector includes federal agencies, government laboratories, state and local government, and the military. Common Occupations for Physics Bachelors The most common occupations differ by where they work, but few physics bachelors have the title, physicist. In large part, this is because most physics bachelors work in the private sector and, unlike chemistry, engineering and geology, there is no "physics" industry. Among the more common occupations is engineer, including electrical, systems, civil, and mechanical. Many physics bachelors work as computer scientists which reflects the current explosion in the demand for software development, programming, computer-related support, modeling, and computer simulations. Educator, principally at the secondary school level, is also a common career track, although comparatively few teach physics exclusively. Over time, physics bachelors are often promoted into positions that involve managing projects, people and budgets. Common Occupations for Physics Masters Physics masters work primarily in science, engineering and education, although their occupations differ sharply by employment setting. Physics masters are, in general, more likely than bachelors to be hired into positions with supervisory responsibility and frequently use advanced knowledge and technical skills to solve complex problems. A physics bachelor's is a solid foundation for a variety of advanced degrees. Over one-third of physics bachelors earn a masters degree, often after working for several years. About half earn physics master's degrees, many get degrees in engineering, computers, business administration and education, but others pursue such diverse areas as philosophy, religion and social work. Common Occupations for Physics PhDs There are about 35,000 physics PhDs in the workforce. While academe is a common career path for physics PhDs, it is NOT where the majority work. About 40% of physics PhDs are employed in universities and 4-year colleges, primarily as professors and secondarily as research faculty. While most work in physics departments, many PhD physicists work in departments of engineering, mathematics, materials science, polymer science, and radiation oncology to name a few. About 30% of PhD physicists work in the private sector. Some work in corporate labs conducting long range research. Most, however, are involved in product development, short range research, or managing projects and technical staff. About onequarter of PhD physicists work in Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (such as Los Alamos), government labs (such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology) or federal agencies with a scientific mission. Most of these physicists are engaged in long range research, but a variety of other activities are also common.

9 Working Environment Most physicists work in a team environment, regardless of their highest degree or where they are employed. Even basic research at the PhD level is typically a team effort. As your years of experience and degree level increases, so does the likelihood that you will be supervising a team. In the private sector, most physicists work in cross-disciplinary teams. These commonly include engineers, material scientists, chemists, computer specialists, mathematicians, and administrators to name a few. These individuals are brought together because of their unique perspectives and skills to help solve a specific problem. Within the autonomous private sector (self-employed, consulting companies and other small companies), many people with physics degrees report that they work independently. However, this largely reflects the fact that the companies in which they work are simply too small for a team environment. In this sector a significant amount of a physicist's time is often devoted to interacting with customers and clients. Skills Frequently Used By Physics Bachelor's Virtually all physics bachelors report that they are frequently engaged in problem solving, typically complex technical problems. It may come as a surprise that interpersonal skills are cited the second most. This is because the vast majority of physics bachelors are involved with one or more of the following: working in a team, supervising a team, working with customers and clients, or interacting with students. The following is a list of skills most commonly used by physics bachelor's. The remainder of the skills on the list depict the varied career paths pursued by physics bachelors including administration, product development, computer-related support, software development, and a variety of technical occupations. The skills profiles for physics masters and PhDs are similar except that they tend to include a higher use on most of the skills depicted especially use of physics knowledge, technical writing, and management skills. Advanced Computer Skills Advanced Mathematics Business Principles Interpersonal Skills Knowledge of Physics Management Skills Problem Solving Special Equipment and Processes Statistical Concepts Technical Writing Further Resources This website only describes the general trends. The demands of the job market and the common career paths pursued by physics degree recipients can and do change over time. There are several additional resources for more detailed information, most notably the Education and Employment Statistics Division of the American Institute of Physics. They produce regular reports on the common career paths of physics degree recipients, reports on the initial employment of recent physics degree recipients, and salary reports. You can find the latest data or order detailed reports at

10 Education About two-thirds of physics bachelors go on to earn advanced degrees, often after working for several years. When deciding how far to go in the education system, you should consider at least two questions: how passionate are you about the field and what kind of career would you like. It is perfectly acceptable to pursue an advanced degree in a field for no other reason than you love it and find it intellectually stimulating. It is also reasonable to consider income potential as a factor in your career decision. Highest Degree How much education should I get? In general, the more education you have, the more money you are likely to earn. The data below describes overall trends. The range of "typical salaries" is quite broad at each degree level. Thus, it is always possible to find a high school drop out who is a millionaire or a PhD with a low income. However, remember that you will be in the workforce for about 40 years after you earn your degree. During that time, you will experience both economic recessions and periods of strong demand for your skills. In other words, over your career, the level of education you have completed will be a strong barometer of your lifetime earnings. Average Salary by Educational Attainment All full-time workers in the U.S., 25 years old and over March 1995 Professional Degree - $98,300 Doctorate Degree - $72,200 Masters Degree - $55,500 Bachelors Degree - $45,500 Associate Degree - $34,300 High School Diploma - $28,200 Certification and Licenses What credentials will I need? Educational credentials provide opportunities and open up specific possibilities. First, identify the set of career options that you envision for yourself and, then, research whether specific credentials are required or recommended. For example, careers in medical physics that involve patient care often require board certification and high school teachers typically need a certificate attesting to their background in pedagogy and educational methods. For more information, you should talk with your academic advisor and the career counseling department at your school. In addition, you should contact the professional societies or organizations relevant to the career paths you are considering. Open the data file below for contact information for professional societies. Aspects of Training What aspects of their undergraduate training do physics bachelors report as the most important in shaping their careers? People with physics degrees pursue a remarkable variety of careers in a broad range of settings. Yet, the vast majority report the training they received as undergraduate physics majors was a solid background for the current careers. Virtually all physics bachelors state that their training in cognitive skills was the most important aspect of

11 their physics education. Specifically they note solving complex problems, critical thinking, analytical skills, and learning how to learn. Physics bachelors also cite the importance of their knowledge of physics, that is, the broad understanding of basic principles and the foundation for acquiring new knowledge in a rapidly changing world. Physics education is also valuable in the technical skills that it provides including advanced mathematics, computer skills and equipment skills. Many physics bachelors credit their physics education for important personal traits such as mental discipline, perseverance, a strong work ethic, and the self-confidence of having completed a difficult and challenging course of study. If I Had To Do It Over Again Would physics graduates major in physics if they had to do it over again? The answer is Yes. The majority of physics graduates, at all degree levels, report that physics was a solid foundation for their current career paths and that, if they had to do it over again, they would major in physics. However, physics graduates advise students to use their undergraduate years to broaden their educational experiences. Beyond taking classes in physics, you should have three course-taking goals. One, develop a broad technical background with such subjects as programming and mathematics. Two, take courses that will improve your communication and management skills. Three, develop a specialization that provides you with an expertise in an applied area by completing a minor or second major. What Employers Look For What do employers look for in a candidate? Obviously, most employers first look for knowledge and experience that matches their specific and immediate needs. Beyond that, however, many look for some combination of four general skills and traits. One of those is problem solving ability including intelligence, quantitative skills and a practical orientation, e.g., the ability to break a complex problem down to its elementary parts and identify a set of likely solutions. Another area is drive and aspirations including persistence, a strong work ethic, and a high standard of excellence. A third area is personal impact which includes such traits as communications skills (writing, speaking and listening), ability to work within a team environment and a personal presence. A fourth area is leadership including initiative and entrepreneurship, which is especially important in the private sector. Employers are looking for people who can assess the strengths of their company, assess the strengths of their team and propose an idea for a new product or service that is consistent with the company's goals both. What are the most rewarding aspects of the work physicists do? Regardless of where they work and their specific occupations, most physics bachelors report that the most rewarding aspects of their current positions is the challenge of solving interesting and complex problems and the satisfaction of developing creative solutions to problems. The specific problems are in a variety of disciplines. The second most cited reward was working with people. These include the satisfaction of working with intelligent and creative co-workers, supervising employees and helping them develop to their full potential, and the rewards of working with customers, clients and students. Many physics bachelors, especially those in the private sector, report a great deal of satisfaction from seeing a project yield a successful and useful product. The last major category of reward reflects the intellectual satisfaction of developing new methods, processes and designs. PhD physicists also note the intellectual satisfaction of successful research and adding to the knowledge base.

12 While in School Your time as an undergraduate can be both fun and productive. You are in a position to both have exciting experiences and prepare yourself for the future. You should appreciate, however, that your interests may change several times during your career and that the demands of the job market will certainly change many times during your lifetime. Thus, your undergraduate years are a time to learn as much as you can about the field you are most interested in, but also to learn about areas that may be important or interesting to you during your working life - a tall order. General Discussion Identify your specific career goals or, at least, the set of options that appeal to you. Develop a course-taking strategy to help you achieve those career goals. Beyond your major, these include courses that will help you build technical knowledge (such as computer programming and mathematics) and expertise in interpersonal skills (such as writing, speaking, and management). In addition, complete a minor that can provide you with an expertise in an applied area. Finally, you should also choose some elective courses simply because they are interesting to you. The Bachelors Degree What do I do with a physics bachelor's degree? Physics provides an in-depth understanding of how the physical world works, can be intellectually stimulating, and is a springboard for a rich diversity of career paths. A remarkable variety of doors are open to physics majors. Your physics training will provide you with cognitive skills and intellectual discipline. These will help you acquire new knowledge as your interests evolve during your lifetime and they will help you to react quickly to changes in the demands of the technical work place. Two-thirds of physics bachelors go on to advanced degrees, often after working for several years. In short, a physics bachelor's degree is a solid foundation for further education. While many physics bachelors earn masters and PhDs in physics, advanced education in a broad range of other disciplines is also common. Choosing an advisor How do I select an undergraduate advisor? Your undergraduate advisor is a resource for advice on both course taking and your career goals. Your undergraduate advisor should be a person who has the expertise to understand the background required for your career goals, someone who is supportive of your aspirations, and someone with whom you are comfortable. If your advisor does not meet all three of these criteria, then you should change advisors. Set up interviews with other faculty to find the individual who is just right for you. Undergraduate Research How important is experience in undergraduate research? Undergraduate research experiences are very valuable for several reasons. They are an opportunity for you to assess whether this is a direction that you will find intellectually challenging and exciting. Undergraduate research provides you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge that you have learned in courses to solving real problems. It provides you with the experience of working in a team environment. Finally, your undergraduate research will show future employers what you can do.

13 Off Campus Experiences, Mentors, and Internships How can off-campus work experiences help me? Employers want to hire people that they are confident can do the job and succeed in their environment. The more information prospective employers have about you, e.g., course work plus work experience, the more likely they are to feel that they are making the right choice. The individual supervising your off campus work experiences will be able to provide in depth information about your ability to function in a work environment. When you apply for your first position after earning your physics bachelors, your prospective employer will be looking at three general aspects of your background. The knowledge you have that is specific to the position for which you are applying, i.e., your major and related course work. Work experiences that you have related to the position for which you are applying. Employers will be able to contact your supervisor to find out how well you were able to apply your knowledge in a work setting. Your personal characteristics such as work ethic, determination, meticulousness and ability to work with others. Using the Internet How do I use the Internet to further my career goals? The Internet is a tremendous source for information. You can and should use it in at least three ways. One, identify the background that is expected of individuals who are working in the area that you intend to pursue. Two, identify the groups that exist to provide information and guidance for the career paths you have chosen or are considering. Three, identify positions that may be available when you graduate. Organizations That Can Help Which organizations assist students? As an undergraduate, you should become involved in the local chapter of the Society of Physics Students. This organization will provide you with essential information and the students and faculty that you will meet can become an important source of intellectual stimulation and excitement. Professional societies also provide services focused on the needs of students and many have programs that are designed to help you make the transition from school to work. The following professional societies may be of use: Acoustical Society of America - AIP Corporate Associates Program - American Association of Physicists in Medicine - American Association of Physics Teachers - American Astronomical Society - American Crystallographic Association - American Geophysical Union - American Institute of Physics - American Physical Society American Vacuum Society - Optical Society of America: Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society - Society of Physics Students - The Society of Rheology -