Employment and Career Paths Rachel Ivie

Physics Bachelors One year after Degree Recipients of bachelor’s degrees in physics typically either enter the work force or enroll in graduate school. For the classes of 2013 and 2014 combined. Just over half (54%) of physics bachelors entered graduate school, with the majority pursuing advanced degrees in physics or astronomy. Just under half of physics bachelors entered the workforce. Overall unemployment rate in the US in 2015 was about 5%. About 80% of Physics BS earners will not get a PhD in physics One third enters into graduate school in physics and astronomy - with 80% in a PhD program Remainder enters graduate school in other fields… lets further explore graduate school Classes of 2013 & 2014 Combined

field of Graduate Study for Physics Bachelors One year after Degree More than half (54%) of physics bachelors from the classes of 2013 and 2014 decided to continue on to graduate school following receipt of their degrees. About three-fifths of physics bachelors in graduate school were continuing their studies in physics or astronomy. The remaining two-fifths enrolled in graduate school were split among other fields of study, with almost half enrolled in graduate school studying engineering. The vast majority of those enrolled in graduate school were studying in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) field. Classes of 2013 & 2014 Combined

Primary Types of Financial Support for Graduate School TA stipend ~ $16,200 RA stipend ~ $17,600 85% of first-year students at doctoral-granting physics departments receive full tuition wavers in addition to their stipends.

FINDING A PHYSICS GRAD SCHOOL http://www.gradschoolshopper.com/

INITIAL EMPOYMENT SECTORS OF PHYSICS BACHELORS Classes of 2013 and 2014 combined

FIELD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PHYSICS BACHELORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR Classes of 2013 and 2014 combined

Starting Salaries for Physics Bachelors Typical starting salary of a physics bachelor degree has increased nearly 10,000 since 2003 Starting salaries for physics MS is more than BS usually $10K higher than STEM jobs and $20K higher than non STEM jobs Private sector STEM median was 51 Classes of 2011 and 2012 combined

TYPICAL STEM SALARIES, 2015 Physics bachelor’s ranks higher in starting salary than many other STEM fields

https://www.spsnational.org/careerstoolbox

Knowledge and Skills Regularly Used by Physics Bachelors in the Private Sector Employment in Computer Science or Information Technology Employment in Engineering Classes of 2011 and 2012 combined

https://www.aip.org/career-resources

Take Aways Earning a STEM degree opens the door to a plethora of job opportunities Faculty positions are NOT the most typical career path Industry is the largest employment base of physics PhDs, …and Masters, …and Bachelors Industry typically has higher initial and mid career salaries Research opportunities exist in industry with a chance to collaborate with lots of smart people Often recruited for your skills, not for the name of your major Be prepared and proactive; Network and apply!

Thanks to my colleagues Patrick Mulvey, Laura Merner and Roman Czujko

Years of physics graduate study to earn a physics PhD

Under-represented minorities earning Bachelor's degrees in physics Physics specific trends