What can you do with a physics degree? Take 2

Physics Girl
19 Oct 201204:23
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script humorously addresses the misconceptions about the career prospects of Physics majors. It challenges the notion that a Physics degree is limited to teaching or impressing with obscure knowledge. The speaker, a Physics graduate, shares personal anecdotes from job interviews for unconventional roles such as a dog toy designer and a racehorse namer, before securing a job as a software engineer. This illustrates the versatility of a Physics degree, which can lead to diverse fields including engineering, research in various physics specialties, teaching, and even non-traditional careers. The video encourages students to pursue Physics if they have a passion for it, highlighting that it prepares individuals for tough mental challenges and a wide range of opportunities.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 **Physics Major Job Prospects**: Graduates with a Physics degree have diverse job opportunities, not limited to traditional STEM fields.
  • 🔬 **Natural Sciences**: Only 8% of Physics majors find jobs in Natural Sciences like biology and chemistry.
  • 🌟 **Physics and Astronomy**: A mere 5% of Physics majors continue in the field of Physics and Astronomy.
  • 💻 **Engineering and Tech**: 30.2% of Physics majors find employment in engineering and computer information systems.
  • 📚 **Non-STEM Fields**: A significant 26% of Physics majors pursue careers in non-STEM fields such as history and English.
  • 🤔 **Diverse Career Options**: A Physics degree opens doors to a variety of careers including software engineering, teaching, and research in specialized physics areas.
  • 👩‍💼 **Unexpected Career Paths**: The speaker humorously mentions unconventional job interviews for a dog toy designer and a racehorse namer, highlighting the versatility of a Physics degree.
  • 🧠 **Preparation for Challenges**: Studying Physics prepares individuals for tough mental challenges and a wide range of intellectual tasks.
  • 💡 **Passion Over Practicality**: The speaker advises studying Physics if there is a genuine passion for it, rather than solely for job prospects.
  • 📈 **Higher Education Opportunities**: A Physics degree can serve as a foundation for higher degrees in engineering, biology, chemistry, and other specialized fields.
  • 🚀 **Broad Application**: Physics can be applied directly in various jobs, and even if one changes their career path, the skills acquired are valuable.
  • 🌐 **Influence Beyond Academia**: The skills and knowledge from a Physics degree can be influential in industries like defense, medical physics, electronics, and policy-making.
Q & A

  • What percentage of recently graduated Physics students found jobs in the fields of physics and astronomy?

    -Only 5% of Physics majors went on to get a job specifically in physics and astronomy.

  • What was the percentage of Physics graduates who found employment in Natural Sciences other than physics?

    -8% of Physics graduates found employment in other Natural Sciences such as biology and chemistry.

  • How many Physics graduates ended up working in non-STEM fields like history or English?

    -26% of Physics graduates pursued careers in non-STEM fields, showcasing the diverse opportunities available to them.

  • What percentage of Physics majors entered the engineering and computer fields?

    -30% of Physics majors transitioned into engineering and computer-related jobs, indicating the applicability of their skills in these areas.

  • What is the role of a physicist in the defense industry?

    -Physicists in the defense industry may work on developing advanced technologies, conducting research, or providing scientific consultation for national security purposes.

  • What alternative higher education paths can a Physics graduate pursue?

    -A Physics graduate can opt for higher degrees in engineering, biology, chemistry, or other specialized fields to further their education and career prospects.

  • What are some of the research areas a Physics graduate can specialize in?

    -Physics graduates can specialize in research areas such as astrophysics, nuclear physics, particle physics, biophysics, acoustical physics, geophysics, and more.

  • What qualities does a Physics degree equip an individual with?

    -A Physics degree equips individuals with problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to tackle complex challenges, preparing them for a variety of careers.

  • How can a Physics degree lead to a career in software engineering?

    -The analytical and mathematical skills acquired through a Physics degree can be applied to software engineering, making it a viable career path for graduates.

  • What is the significance of pursuing a Physics degree if you have a passion for it?

    -Studying Physics because of a personal passion can lead to a fulfilling career, as it provides mental challenges and the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

  • What are some unconventional career paths for Physics graduates?

    -Unconventional career paths for Physics graduates include becoming a poet, historian, bricklayer, surf instructor, chef, or any other field that interests them, as a Physics degree develops versatile skills.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 Physics Graduates' Career Paths

This paragraph discusses the career outcomes for Physics graduates, challenging common assumptions about their job prospects. It starts with an interactive segment where viewers are asked to predict the percentage of Physics majors who find jobs in various fields such as Physics and Astronomy, Natural Sciences, STEM, and non-STEM areas. The speaker then reveals actual statistics, showing that a small percentage end up in Natural Sciences and a significant number transition into non-STEM fields. The paragraph also touches on the speaker's personal journey with Physics, emphasizing the versatility of a Physics degree and its potential to lead to diverse career paths, including software engineering, which is the path the speaker took.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Physics degree
A Physics degree is an academic qualification that focuses on the study of matter and energy, and the fundamental principles that govern the natural world. In the video, it is discussed as a versatile degree that can lead to a wide range of career options, emphasizing its broad applicability and the diverse paths that physics graduates can pursue, such as research, teaching, or even non-traditional fields like software engineering.
💡Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences encompass the study of the physical world through disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics. The video mentions that only 8% of physics graduates find jobs in the Natural Sciences, indicating that while these fields are closely related, many physics majors explore other areas of work.
💡STEM fields
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It represents fields that are often seen as the foundation of innovation and economic growth. The script highlights that 8% of physics majors go into other STEM fields, suggesting that the skills and knowledge gained from a physics degree are transferable to these areas.
💡Non-STEM fields
Non-STEM fields are areas of study and work that fall outside of the traditional STEM disciplines. The video points out that 26% of physics majors find employment in non-STEM fields, which underscores the adaptability and diverse interests of physics graduates.
💡Physics and astronomy
Physics and astronomy are closely related fields that study the universe from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies. The video humorously notes that only 5% of physics majors continue in this specific area, indicating that while it is a natural path for some, many choose different career trajectories.
💡Engineering and computer information systems
Engineering and computer information systems are fields that involve the design, development, and maintenance of complex systems, often leveraging computational tools. The video states that 30.2% of physics majors go into these areas, reflecting the technical skills and analytical thinking that are valuable in these high-demand fields.
💡Job market
The job market refers to the environment where job seekers and employers interact to fill job vacancies. The video discusses the job market in relation to physics majors, providing statistics on employment rates in various sectors, which is central to the theme of the video as it addresses potential career outcomes for those with a physics degree.
💡Career options
Career options are the various paths one can take in their professional life based on their education and interests. The script explores a wide array of career options available to those with a physics degree, from traditional roles in research and teaching to unconventional ones like dog toy designer or racehorse namer, highlighting the versatility of the degree.
💡Adaptability
Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new conditions or changes. The video emphasizes the adaptability of physics graduates, who are shown to move into a variety of fields beyond traditional physics and astronomy, demonstrating the value of a physics education in developing skills that are applicable in many different contexts.
💡Passion
Passion refers to a strong interest or enthusiasm for something. The video concludes with an encouragement to study physics if one has a passion for it, suggesting that personal interest and enthusiasm are key motivators for pursuing a degree and a career in the field.
💡Versatility
Versatility is the quality of being able to adapt to many different functions or activities. The video script uses the term to describe how a physics degree can open doors to a wide range of careers, not just in academia or traditional scientific roles, but also in technology, engineering, and even seemingly unrelated fields.
Highlights

Percentage of students with a Physics degree who got a job in Physics and Astronomy is only 5%.

8% of Physics graduates found jobs in Natural Sciences, other STEM fields, and non-STEM fields.

26% of Physics majors went on to work in non-STEM fields like history and English.

30.2% of Physics graduates pursued careers in engineering and computer and information systems.

The speaker humorously suggests that physicists often confuse DNA and RNA.

A Physics degree can lead to a wide range of career options, from teaching to software engineering.

The speaker shares their personal experience of applying for diverse jobs, including a dog toy designer and a racehorse namer.

The speaker emphasizes that a Physics degree prepares individuals for tough mental challenges.

With a Physics degree, one can pursue higher degrees in engineering, biology, chemistry, and other fields.

Possible careers with a Physics degree include lab research, medical physics, and scientific laboratory work.

The speaker highlights the versatility of a Physics degree, suggesting one can even change fields entirely, such as becoming a poet or a chef.

The video is more sincere than usual, indicating a shift in tone from the speaker's typical content.

The speaker encourages viewers to study Physics if they have a passion for it, regardless of the career path.

The video invites viewers to post their predictions in the comments before continuing, fostering engagement.

The speaker humorously discusses the stereotypes and misconceptions about physicists and their career prospects.

The video provides a list of potential careers for Physics graduates, emphasizing the diversity of options available.

The speaker's journey from a Physics degree to a software engineering job illustrates the adaptability of the degree.

The video concludes with a reminder that passion for Physics should be the primary motivator for pursuing the degree.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

10 Best Entry Level Jobs for Physics Majors

Is physics a good major?

Physics Vs Engineering | Which Is Best For You?

Physics Vs Math - How to Pick the Right Major

This Physicist Works for a Bank: Jobs for Math/Physics Majors

Is A Physics Degree Worth It?

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Physics CareersSTEM FieldsJob MarketAcademiaSoftware EngineeringResearch OpportunitiesEducational ValuePassion for PhysicsCareer AdviceHumor in STEMMultidisciplinary Skills