What the heck can I do with a physics degree??? 3-Mar

Transcription

1 We return to the big question. What the heck can I do with a physics degree??? 3-Mar

2 The Answer ANYTHING YOU WANT! 50% of UIUC Physics graduates go to graduate school Mostly in Physics Some related fields (Astronomy, Engineering) Others find employment in a variety of fields. 3-Mar

3 Class of % grad school in physics Schools: Stanford, Cornell, Princeton, Harvard, Caltech, Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan, Indiana, Washington, MIT, Colorado, University of California, University of Chicago, Wisconsin, Florida, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, Maryland. Fields: Atomic and molecular optics, biophysics, high energy physics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, quantum computing, nuclear physics, nanotechnology. 3

4 Class of % grad school in physics 20% grad school in other fields CS, Nucl Eng, MatSE, EE, Math 20% industry Software engineer (CISCO Systems), manufacturing systems (Intel), information technology (Simplex Investments, Accenture Consulting), finance (Belvedere Trading Company), public policy. 5% teaching few% military From exit interviews: Highlights: 3-Mar-12 The environment PHYS 403 Modern Physics lab PHYS 496/499 Intro to Phys Research/Senior Thesis Lowlights: Not enough career information Academic advising

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6 Graduate School: Who/What/How? Grad school may be for you if you want to do research and development work at a national laboratory teach/research at the college/university level. Duration 1-2 year Master s, 5-6 year Ph.D. Grad school Typically get remitted tuition + ~$20k per year Two years of course work (+ teach + research) Three-four years of research + dissertation 3-Mar

7 Post Graduate (Ph.D.) Employment 50% get postdocs 40% get permanent jobs 10% other 3-Mar-2012 Overall employment rate for Ph.D. s is *very* high

8 Jobs! Employers in Illinois that recently hired new physics bachelor recipients Accenture Fuji Machine America Corporation Aerotek Scientific GMS / Vedior Aisin Electronics Illinois, LLC Greenlight Planet, Inc. Analysts, Inc. Highland Engineerin, P.C. Argonne National Lab Imaje Army Corps of Engineers Leo Burnett Beckman Institute (University of Lockheed Martin Illinois) Northrop Grumman Caterpillar, Inc. Orchid Tree WEb Solutions CONTAX, Inc. Quantum Design Creative Thermal Solutions S&C Electric Company CSG Systems Sargent & Lundy Delcross Technologies, LLC United Conveyor Corporation Deloitte Consulting, LLP Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Exelon Corporation Fermi National Lab Wellpoint, Inc. Zurich North America This is only a portion of the employers who hired recent physics bachelors into technical positions. Source: AIP Statistical Research Center, Initial Employment Surveys, classes 2007 thru 2009.Incomplete list of employers and positions ( ) 3-Mar

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10 Skills Knowledge and skills rated as important by physics bachelors 5-8 years after graduation 3-Mar

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14 What WE are doing 1. Working with industry to market our majors and explain the value of physicists! 2. Working with our majors (and Engineering Career Services) to make sure they market themselves and seek out opportunity. 3. Seek out intership opportunities for our students. (separate from research opportunities discussed last week) 4. Surveying our alumni to find out what careers they are in and create ties for future graduates. 5. Getting input from students, parents 3-Mar

15 More Career Data Illinois companies that hire physics bachelors: Education and Employment Trends: American Institute of Physics collects the most data on Physics Trends You can find the pot of gold with a physics degree! 3-Mar

16 Summary It s all about opportunity! Opportunities for variety in your physics curriculum Opportunities to supplement your education (working on those people skills employers love) with extracurricular activities i i Opportunities to do research as an undergraduate Opportunities for your future! 3-Mar

17 Contact Information Toni Pitts Coordinator of Recruiting, Advising, and Special Programs Phone: Merissa Jones Academic Advisor Phone: Professor Kevin Pitts Phone: Department of Physics University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1110 West Green Street Urbana, Illinois Mar