Careers and Employment

Career opportunities for physicists is very positive!  The April 2001 issue of Physics Today contains numerous special reports on career opportunities for physicists. Survey data indicate that in 2000, the median starting salary for recent physics graduates was $42,500 nationally.  These salaries exceed the median starting salaries for all other scientific disciplines.  Although our data are somewhat incomplete, it appears that historically, WSU physics graduates have compared very favorably with the regional and national statistics.  For more information visit the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center at http://www.aip.org/statistics

Training in physics is quite broad, teaching an approach to problem solving from a fundamental level. For this reason, it provides an excellent foundation for many other fields of study and work. This was described in a recent statement by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Manager of Career Planning and Placement, Edwin Goldin, in these words:

Physicists have many marketable skills that are useful in broad areas of work outside the traditional career paths. Physicists are trained to be analytical; they have strong problem-solving abilities, and can apply powerful mathematical methods to problems and processes. They are also well-practiced in laboratory design and techniques. These skills are applicable to careers in computing design, engineering, transportation, environment, technical analysis, science writing, and science policy to name a few. Other non-traditional paths such as medicine, patent law, statistics, and financial analysis can be open to physicists with additional training.

This broad training, together with marketable skills has provided job opportunities for Weber State University physics graduates in national laboratories and local and national industries. Industries such as Morton International, Thiokol, Rockwell, Boeing, Iomega, and Hill Air Force Base have employed our graduates. They are involved in jobs related to aerospace, computer software and hardware development, and automotive safety.

For a detailed description of current trends in science and engineering you may want to consult the National Science Foundation's 1998 report to President Clinton, Science and Engineering Indicators.

The Physics Department can provide information related to job opportunities. Please contact the Department office; SL202, 626-6163.

In addition, Weber State University Career Services can provide valuable help to WSU students and graduates who are looking for jobs..  Career Services can also assist in writing a resume, guidance in effective interviewing, and they can provides information related to many out-of-state and in-state companies.  Please contact Greg Nielsen (Career Counselor and Employment Advisor; SL 229/SC 230; 626-7750/626-6394) for further information.

Information is also available at:

• The National Academy of Sciences Career Planning Center for Beginning Scientists and Engineers.
• The American Institute of Physics Career Services homepage.
• The American Institute of Physics Career Path Trends
• The American Institute of Physics regarding data about the physics job market.
• Open Forum on Alternative Careers for Physicists, based at the University of Illinois.
• Forum on Creating Careers in Physics, at Harvard University.
• Science's Next Wave site.
• book:  Peter S. Fiske, To Boldly Go: A Practical Guide for Scientists, American Geophysical Union (Washington, DC, 1996).  [Available in the Department office.]
• book:  Stephen Rosen and Celia Paul, Career Renewal: Tools for Scientists and Technical Professionals, Academic Press (San Diego, 1997).  [Available in the Department office]
• article: Jean Kumagai, Physics Today, "Employment Outlook for New PhDs Improves, as Other Fields Hire More Physicists", January 1998, p. 49-50.
• Job listing sites:  
•     http://www.aip.org/careersvc/
•     http://www.aip.org/aip/memsoc.html
•     http://www.tp.umu.se/TIPTOP/forum/jobs/
•     http://www.ieee.org/jobs.html

Learn More about Careers in Physics and Related Fields:

• Acoustical Society of America: http://asa.aip.org
• American Association for the Advancement of Science: http://nextwave.sciencemag.org
• American Association of Physicists in Medicine: http://www.aapm.org
• American Association of Physics Teachers: http://www.aapt.org
• American Astronomical Society: http://www.aas.org
• American Chemical Society: http://www.acs.org
• American Geophysical Union: http://www.agu.org
• American Institute of Physics: http://www.aip.org
• American Physical Society:  http://www.aps.org
• American Vacuum Society:  http://www.vacuum.org
• Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology:  http://www.cpst.org
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers:  http://www.ieee.org/membership/benefits/careers.html
• National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council:  http://www.nas.edu
• National Science Foundation: http://www.nsf.gov
      The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT):  http://www.nsf.gov/igert
      The Faculty Early Career Development Program:  http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/career/start.htm
      The Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers:   http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/career/start.htm
      The Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program:  http://www.eng.nsf.gov/eec/I_ucrc.htm
      The Division of Science Resources Studies: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/stats.htm
• Optical Society of America: http://www.osa.org
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation:  http://www.sloan.org