Expert: Daniel Mazur - 8/26/2010

Question
Hi Daniel

I am 25 and have a BSc in Physics, but am really not sure what I should do next!!

During my degree I enjoyed the courses on Astrophysics the most, however I have always wanted the job I do in the future to be of some benefit the people here on Earth.

I decided to do a BSc Physics basically because Physics was the subject I found easiest - it just seemed to make sense to me - but I had NO IDEA what I wanted to do after that, and i still don't! I was thinking I would go back to university and do a Masters in Physics, and then find some experimental job in a laboratory that is happy to except a post-graduate with no previous work experience.

I like the idea of being involved with Renewable Energy Development, as it would most definitely have some benefit to people here on Earth. What would be the best way to get into this career path?

Basically, I am in need of some guidance, and a possible way to link astrophysics with renewable energy development!

Thanks for your time,
Samuel  

Answer
Hi Samuel,
I am very late with answering you, my apologies.
In my experience those who get a BcS in physics, chemistry or biology tend to continue until at least a Masters degree in their field. BcS is so general that it's just not enough for any particular job, see? You have more options than Physics, you can switch to Chemistry or some engineering branch for the Masters. You will have to take some extra courses to equalize, but that is a small price to pay for doing what your heart desires - if your heart desires that, naturally.
Astrophysics has a lot to do with renewable energy in principle - see the fusion in stars that we are trying to imitate in tokamaks, the ITER and HiPER projects? But when you come down to it, renewables will need you to be a good experimental (material or nuclear) scientist or engineer, not an astrophysicist. I suggest that you try to spend some time in a science library and read journals like Nature, Physics Today, Science... and if nothing catches you, try some IEEE Proceedings or other journals on applications. Chances are that you will find some fascinating topic there to choose for yourself.
We benefit the Earthmen best if we do our best in our lives. It is a phrase, but it tells you the essence. Whatever you do in science or engineering, if you put your best efforts and expertise into it, you will benefit people. Usually, you will benefit more people that way than is immediately apparent. Remember T.A.Edison? He influenced lives of several generations to the better - yet in reality he did his best only to get as much profit as possible out of new ideas of his team (not always his own). He may have been a tough businessman, but the key is that he did his best with his talents.
Good luck!
Daniel