PHYSICS CAREER PATHWAYS
Students who major in Physics as undergraduates have many possible career options.
The Physics major requires a minor in another subject, and depending upon your choice
of a minor, you can potentially open up even more options. For example:
Astrophysics Pathway: A Physics major with an Astronomy minor will give you a very strong background for a career in Astronomy. Potential careers include work at a planetarium or observatory or national laboratory, or graduate school in Astronomy.
Geophysics Pathway: A Physics major with a Geosciences minor will qualify you for jobs in industry or government as a geophysicist, or for followup graduate work in atmospheric science, climate science, or geophysics. Geophysicists are in very high demand in recent years.
Physics Teacher Pathway: A Physics major with a Secondary Education minor will enable you to obtain a job as a high school Physics teacher. Physics teachers are in high demand all across the U.S.
Material Science Pathway: Material Science is at the intersection of Physics and Chemistry, and deals chiefly with condensed matter at the atomic level. This is a vast and growing field with a lot of opportunities in industry. A Physics major with a Chemistry minor will give you a strong background for jobs in materials science.
Medical Physics Pathway: A Physics major with a Chemistry minor will make you a strong candidate for a career in Medical Physics or for application to Medical School. If you have an interest in radiology or medical imaging, this might be a good option for you.
Mathematical Physics Pathway: A Physics major with a Mathematics minor is the traditional path for students intending to go on to graduate school in Physics. Additional math courses beyond those required for the standard Physics major will provide a stronger foundation for advanced study in Physics.
Physics in Law Pathway: If you have an interest in becoming a patent lawyer, the Physics major and a minor in Political Science is a good option.
Physics/Astronomical Computing Pathway: If you love science and also love computers, a Physics major with a minor in computer science is a good choice. With this pathway, a student can gain experience with numerical techniques used in modeling physical systems.