Career in Physics
A simple outline

    A. Understand your aptitudes and interests.
  1. In the academic areas, I have found that my strengths are in science, mathematics, and computers. The main weakness may lie in reading.
  2. In my career, it would be beneficial if I worked in the areas that use computers and center around observing and analyzing data, problem solving, and preparing and presenting conclusions which are drawn from these.
  3. Physics and the physical sciences are the most interesting areas for me and are the areas which I would like to have a career in. This is due to the fact that I both enjoy and am good at these areas.
  4. My personality is such that I am a person who looks into things and analyzes them. This fits right in with any career in science since observation is the best teacher. After being in forensics, I have gained the ability to prepare and present ideas with confidence.

    B. Understand the pros and cons of career choices.
  1. There are three consequences that are involved in a physics career. First, many people who start their education in physics become involved in other areas in which the scientific methods are helpful and necessary. Just because someone starts in that area does not mean that is where he or she will end up. Second, in order to earn a physics career, a Ph.D. is almost essential. A Bachelor�s degree can be used as a springboard into careers in industry, education, or medicine. However, to maintain a career that deals exclusively with physics, the Ph.D. is a necessity. Third, the job market is decreasing steadily. In a period between 1984 and 1993, the percentage of physics bachelors who received more than one job offer decreased by one-third.
  2. Various responsibilities in physics careers include working with minimal supervision, being responsible for changing from job to job, maintaining a strong work ethic, being a valuable member to a team, devising procedures to conduct research or tests, determine the physical properties of materials, interpreting research, describing observations and conclusions in both general and mathematical terms, developing theories based on observation and experiment, develop tables and graphs, and supervising other scientific activities in research.
  3. Rewards in the physics area are a starting salary of $54,469, working with the latest and most advanced technology, traveling around the United States and the world, and receiving the added health care benefits provided by the job community.
  4. Requirements of these careers are having a Ph.D., being able to use the senses well, being able to manipulate the environment with skill, and being well-rounded in this area.
  5. Some opportunities out of school include undergraduate study, an assistantship, and to work in alternate physics-related careers.

    C. Understand how to prepare for a career.
  1. In order to have the best possible opportunity at a job in physics, one must have a broad sense of scientific and technical knowledge, be able to work in a team, want to and be able to learn new fields, have good interpersonal skills, be able to communicate well in oral speaking as well as in writing, have good problem solving and analytical skills, have a strong work ethic, be adaptable and flexible, have initiative and assertiveness, be enthusiastic about the field, and be able to work with a minimal amount of supervision.
  2. Sources to explore the career are taking classes related to physics in high school and college, work with an assistantship, engage in undergraduate study, research topics related to this, and to teach this to other people.
  3. Implications of this career include the decreasing job market and the fact that anyone involved in this career will probably have to move jobs at one time or another.
  4. In order to gain good information about the career, I can use the internet, writings of people who are in the career, and visit and talk with people who are in colleges.
  5. Self-employment in physics is something that is nearly impossible. The only way to do this may be to write books or to create things such as computer chips which are based on the latest physics principles such as superconductivity.

    D. Understand how to set and achieve long-term goals for career success.
  1. The best way to find out which is the best job is to analyze the job offers in order to decide which is better for the long-term job, be involved with an area that is expanding, and to know people so that your name will come up in job offers.
  2. Some of the skills needed in this career are somewhat inherent in me, so the things which I will need to continue to expand are my communication in writing and speaking and working well as a team.
  3. If I continue with forensics, that should help me to attain those skills which may need some improvement in order to have a better opportunity.
  4. As long as I am focused on what I am doing, the development of those necessary skills will come in time.
  5. I must be able to evaluate myself by looking at what is happening in this field and continually asking myself how good I am. If I need improvement, than I will work on the things which need this.

    E. Possess job-seeking skills.
  1. In today�s technological world, job information can be accessed in many places. This includes newspapers, using computer programs such as COIN, and using the vast source of the internet.
  2. I will need to make sure that I am continually progressing towards the skills which I will need as my job dictates.
  3. Right now, I am highly proficient at the job-keeping skills such as punctuality, cooperation, honesty, and persistence.

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