10 Best Career Options for Students of Physics

Physics is the basis of most inventions and has helped people understand how the universe works. It is also the driving force behind all engineering marvels around the world. But, which are the industries that a student of Physics can work on? In this article we discuss 11 significant career choices that you can make when you do a Physics major.

• Nuclear Physicist

Nuclear physics is a great research field for most scientists and the world is looking for ways to develop nuclear power in a safer way. As a student of physics major you can work on the various research areas and work with companies manufacturing nuclear reactors and government agencies. You can assess the safety procedures at a nuclear power plant, design medical equipment, or go for weapons inspections in the military establishments. Go for a Phd degree in these areas and you can get premium jobs.

• Astronomer

Astronomy has been a phenomenal subject with the never ending mysteries on stars, planets and galaxies. You can conduct detailed research on planetary movements and computational astrophysics for which you need doctoral degrees. Astronomers generally spend their time in government research centres and you can work on multiple interesting projects at the same time.

• Meteorologist

Known for preparing and predicting weather reports, meteorologists can work in government departments, aerospace, agriculture and aviation industries. Their advance warnings help governments to evacuate people before natural calamities ravage a particular area. Physics students are most suited to get into these professions

• Data Scientist

Data scientists use a large volume of data to assess and forecast market trends, build scalable models for companies working with AI/ML/Robotics and try to make business more automated. You can work in tech start-ups and work with large data sets. A degree in physics can help you start off with this

• Laser Engineer

Laser equipment are complicated machineries that require strong knowledge of physics. Laser engineers help in the production and the development of laser cutting systems for manufacturing firms, produce surgical equipment or even work in the navigation systems for the military and aviation industries. You can get jobs in the telecommunication and construction industries as well.

• Optical Engineer

Optical engineers work on the properties of light and use it to build new instruments. In the past inventions like camera, telescope and fibre optics have been designed by optical scientists and engineers. A specialised masters degree in this field can get you a job in any research lab or in the R&D division of manufacturing companies.

• Solar Physicist

Working on the properties, behaviour and nature of the sun is the main task of solar physicists. They study the impact of Sun on the climate and find out the best ways to use them to our advantage. Solar Physicists work in government labs mainly and have great demands in the energy sector. As a lot of companies are making solar cells and other related equipment to store the sun’s energy, solar physicists can work in the industries as well.

• Aerospace Systems Engineer

Aerospace engineers work with rockets, satellites and missiles among other things. They design and maintain systems that run the power rockets, planes, satellites, and missiles.They work with guidance, control and navigation systems either with the secret service, air force intelligence or other private firms who are in the business of making military hardware. However these are extremely sophisticated areas and you need a masters in physics to proceed with this.

• Energy Policy Analyst

Energy security is a priority for most countries. Owing to depleting oil and natural gas resources, scientists are trying to find alternative energy sources. These researches are backed by think tank predictions on the foreign and economic policies. You can join these organizations after your Phd degrees and earn extremely good salaries. However, the number of positions are few and the competition level is pretty high.

• Teacher

Teaching is a safe profession and has always been a top preference for students with academic brilliance. A postgraduate degree in Physics is enough for you to land up a teaching job. Apart from schools