Physics and Astronomy

Careers in Physics and Astronomy

Careers in Physics range widely and include:

  • Industry technical positions
  • Research and Development at Universities and Government Labs
  • Instructor positions at Colleges and High Schools

Careers in Astronomy and Space Science range widely and include:

  • Conducting observations to study how stars and planet form
  • Designing and building satellites to search for planets around other stars or to visit planets in our own solar system
  • Taking and interpreting observations of distant exploding stars to determine the age and fate of the universe
  • Developing models of orbiting black holes and neutron stars spiraling into each other to explain gamma ray bursts  Teaching middle or high school:

Teaching middle or high school:

Career Paths in Physics. Statistics from AIP, 2004. After Getting a BS. Pie Chart. Other Graduate School, 20%: Law, Business, Medicine, Engineering Technology. Employment, 45%: Public Sector(50%) Education, Government ($35k+), Private Sector(50%) Technical Positions($35k - $50k). Physics Graduate School, 35%: Piechart Physics Graduate School (tuition-free + stipend). Masters (2 years) PhD Program in Physics (30%), Other Schooling (20%), Employment ($45k - $70k). Ph.D 5-6 years. Academics(65%) - Post-doc, Researcher, Professor ($30k - $100k+); Government(20%) - Research Scientist, Policy Maker ($50k - $100k+); Industry (15%) - Research Scientist, Manager ($60k - $130k+)