EPTDon't become a scientist - Page 8
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theKOT
United States167 Posts
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Kezzer
United States1268 Posts
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revy
United States1524 Posts
On May 17 2010 03:44 JohannesH wrote: I dont know, maybe its different in the US... But here physicists get jobs pretty decently I've had thoughts on this actually, I hope nobody else has mentioned this (I haven't read the entire thread). In my experience in the small University setting, Physics is a service department. The Physics department is responsible for A) Training new Majors and B) Giving introductory courses to Engineering students. In the same regard, the Math department does two things A) Trains majors B) Trains Physicists and to a lesser extent Engineers. Since the Physics and Math departments have to support other departments they are granted more staff than their number of majors would usually grant them. More Staff = More Tenure track positions available = More employed PhDs. Yes I'm probably ignoring some possibly important factors, but hey, I was a physics major (concentration in astrophysics) we make lots of assumptions. =) What was that? My numbers were within an order of magnitude? Close enough! | ||
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illu
Canada2531 Posts
On May 17 2010 04:00 revy wrote: I've had thoughts on this actually, I hope nobody else has mentioned this (I haven't read the entire thread). In my experience in the small University setting, Physics is a service department. The Physics department is responsible for A) Training new Majors and B) Giving introductory courses to Engineering students. In the same regard, the Math department does two things A) Trains majors B) Trains Physicists and to a lesser extent Engineers. Since the Physics and Math departments have to support other departments they are granted more staff than their number of majors would usually grant them. More Staff = More Tenure track positions available = More employed PhDs. Yes I'm probably ignoring some possibly important factors, but hey, I was a physics major (concentration in astrophysics) we make lots of assumptions. =) What was that? My numbers were within an order of magnitude? Close enough! I don't think any of the arguments above were against my point. A PhD in physics cannot net you a job in industry. Consequently you can only find a job in a university. This is a lot more limiting than, say, someone with a PhD in computer science, statistics, or pharmacology. | ||
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Three
Japan278 Posts
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illu
Canada2531 Posts
On May 17 2010 05:58 Three wrote: The best way to make money is to rob banks Back in 1930s, maybe. | ||
micronesia
United States24757 Posts
On May 17 2010 05:35 illu wrote: I don't think any of the arguments above were against my point. A PhD in physics cannot net you a job in industry. Consequently you can only find a job in a university. This is a lot more limiting than, say, someone with a PhD in computer science, statistics, or pharmacology. I stand by my earlier claim that it's a big exaggeration to say a phd in physics cannot get you a job in industry. Still I agree it's very tough which is why you can't rely on that. | ||
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pyr0ma5ta
United States458 Posts
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TriniMasta
United States1323 Posts
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crate
United States2474 Posts
On May 17 2010 05:35 illu wrote:A PhD in physics cannot net you a job in industry. Consequently you can only find a job in a university. http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/highlite/emp3/emphigh.pdf Are these statistics just wrong or something? Almost 40% of physics PhDs here get jobs outside academia. That does not at all mesh with "cannot get you a job in industry." | ||
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illu
Canada2531 Posts
On May 17 2010 06:08 crate wrote: http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/highlite/emp3/emphigh.pdf Are these statistics just wrong or something? Almost 40% of physics PhDs here get jobs outside academia. That does not at all mesh with "cannot get you a job in industry." O wow, I am surprised. I guess I was just biased on physics. | ||
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revy
United States1524 Posts
On May 17 2010 05:35 illu wrote: I don't think any of the arguments above were against my point. A PhD in physics cannot net you a job in industry. Consequently you can only find a job in a university. This is a lot more limiting than, say, someone with a PhD in computer science, statistics, or pharmacology. Oh absolutely, I wasn't trying to refute anything you were saying I was merely offering my thoughts on why I thought that you were correct. | ||
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ray1234
Canada679 Posts
On May 17 2010 06:06 micronesia wrote: I stand by my earlier claim that it's a big exaggeration to say a phd in physics cannot get you a job in industry. Still I agree it's very tough which is why you can't rely on that. This is absolutely not true, many of my PhD colleagues have great jobs in tech companies, banks, software companies etc... Some physics PhD are very narrow minded and dont know how to find jobs or sell themselves, but to my knowledge, the theoretical physicists out bid finance majors and economists when it comes to landing quant, analyst and other lucrative back end job in banks. And experimental physicists often have more hands on skills than most engineers and they definitely can get lots of engineering jobs | ||
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Ganondorf
Italy600 Posts
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CorsairHero
Canada9491 Posts
On May 17 2010 03:58 BDF92 wrote: Anyone know anything about aeronautics? As in being a pilot of a plane? I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid, but never took it seriously because I thought they either weren't paid much, or there weren't enough jobs available. Thanks for the help. not really related to the op but.. unless your fit to join the air force, get ready to shell out a large chunk of money to get your license. Your going to need your private pilots license and then work your way to a commercials license with extra ratings like night flying, multi engine etc... Being a pilot for an airline can pay very well, the toughest part is getting enough hours and experience. Getting your commercials can cost about 30000$ (in Canada) with most switching to being an instructor to build up the hours. | ||
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DefMatrixUltra
Canada1992 Posts
On May 16 2010 09:29 Robinsa wrote: Having a proper engineerng degree makes you able to pretty much anything. From what Ive seen its much harder to get a leading position in an economy department with an economy degree opposed to a physics degree. This is super true. Engineering/physics degrees can set you up for work in a huge number of fields. The intense mathematical background you get from these degrees guarantees your usefulness in real-world problems. There is actually a program at my school for physics students to take courses in economics - they are guaranteed a professorship at the end of the program. Not anything fancy, but even getting an associate professorship is a big deal and can start you on a career if you're interested in that path. People with science degrees are setting themselves up for success. They just need to grab it. | ||
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Gnaix
United States438 Posts
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SonKiE
United States167 Posts
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rust.oxide
United States94 Posts
On May 17 2010 05:35 illu wrote: I don't think any of the arguments above were against my point. A PhD in physics cannot net you a job in industry. Consequently you can only find a job in a university. This is a lot more limiting than, say, someone with a PhD in computer science, statistics, or pharmacology. Completely and utterly wrong. There are plenty of jobs in industry for physics PhDs. Just off the top of my head, there are always quants; Physics PhD holders who work on Wall Street. | ||
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illu
Canada2531 Posts
On May 17 2010 10:12 rust.oxide wrote: Completely and utterly wrong. There are plenty of jobs in industry for physics PhDs. Just off the top of my head, there are always quants; Physics PhD holders who work on Wall Street. But I think that kind of jobs are more suitable for people with (at least) a master's degree in mathematical finance. | ||
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