Expert: Daniel Mazur - 9/5/2006

Question
Dear Mr.Mazur,

Im a senior in a high school. I'm thinking about Physics as a major, what careers can i get if i got only the BS, and what if i got the PhD?
Is Physics hard in the university? People say its extremly hard.

Thanks you, take your time, i'm not in a hurry.

Answer
Hello Amre,

I apologize for the delay in my answer. The careers choice with physics degree indeed varies with the level of your education. With Bc. in physics, although it's hard enough, the job market value is rather low. You'd need to have it combined with a professional curriculum in some engineering to stand a chance. If you go for a degree in Physics alone, it's pretty much given that you'll stay until at least Master's degree.

With M.S. you can get in the industry, with the companies that conduct their own R&D, automotive industry, aircraft and navigation industry, manufacturers of medical examination's instruments, ... Granted, these are domains of engineers anyway, but there usually are a few positions for physicists - it's because the scientific and engineering points of view are not the same. You also find positions for physicists in financial market analytic companies, because the laws governing the markets are so far best manageable with tools of devised for physics. With a Ph.D. then you are best suited for a career of a scientist, whether in Universities, government-funded Research Institutes and Labs or in the industry. All previously mentioned areas are open to you as well, naturally.

Physics generally is hard, but if you find it entertaining and attractive as a major, you should not fear. One doesn't need to be a genius to get through a Physics program. It's more about being a hard-worker, about your will to concentrate on problem-solving and about enjoyment one should feel on the way of discovery. In a way, you are led to discover much more about the physical world during physics studies and it helps to motivated by the feeling of elation, when you crack a problem and you suddenly understand the laws governing it in their full extent.:-)

I will be happy to answer more, if you have further questions.
Bye for now!
Daniel