What kind of jobs could you get if you had a Doctor's in Physics?

[ali123]

I'm still in highschool but I'm thinking about the career path I wanna choose. If I chose to get a doctor's degree in Physics (mainly focusing on semiconductor and quantum). What kinds of jobs would I be able to get? would it be

easy?(to acquire the jobs) and Do you guys think that it would be a stressful career? The reason why I want to get a doctor's is because I wanna do my own research/development.

[carmaster]

I think doing a ph.d is a waste of time. The main jobs would be research related at either Universities or private companies. Even if you do your own research and discover something amazing, the University gets the credit for the discovery and your on the back burner.

[profguy]

I think you have answered your own question - right?

Do you guys think that it would be a stressful career? The reason why I want to get a doctor's is because I wanna do my own research/development.

[Sylvestre]

If you are in highschool, I'd say it's a great goal, but don't sweat the details. A lot will change in your life between then and now. Strive for a great school to do your undergrad in Physics. Once you finish your 4 yrs there, then start thinking about the PhD and worrying about jobs.

[sockhead]

Realistically:
1. Academic
2. Industry (tech, RnD)

[LazyBoi]

Don't plan too far ahead when you are in high school. Once you start your undergrad and realize how much studying and work you need to do, you will rethink about going to do a Masters or PhD.

I think experiencing university life changes people's perspective on things... you must really love school to be able to make it through a PhD.

[Shadow Rider]

Quant

[KevC]

Many of my friends are applying for graduate school in theoretical physics. It's really exciting stuff, working on bleeding edge discoveries. But I have to warn you, if you can be persuaded to turn AWAY from physics, it's not for you. You have to have a passion and love for it.

If you decide to step outside of academia (I'm sure many of these kids stay in school their whole life, working on research), you can easily do consulting and anything that requires an analytical mind. You shouldn't have an issue finding a job - having a PhD in physics means you're smart and extremely trainable.

[BadDrafter]

You could be part responsible for the permanent destruction of the planet Earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider#Safety_concerns_and_assuranc es

[matkun]

Speaking as someone who is about to finish a Computational Physics degree from Waterloo:

1) Physics is hard and involves lots of math. Be prepared to do as much as the Mathies and not just memorize formulas but know how to apply them. Physics is about problem solving, not 'plug and chug' as it is called, where you just figure out what to plug into the equation and just spit out whatever the answer is.

2) Co-op jobs are interesting and varied. I have had friends working at Bruce Nuclear, doing MRI in Hospitals, coding for sensors and other sorts of interesting stuff. I personally stole the CS and Mathie IT jobs and did great in those.

3) If you pursue grad school, prepare for a long stay in school as you'll have an academic life for a long time before getting your PhD. If you like that, great, if you don't, it will be hell.

4) If you do get your PhD and somehow get into a position to do your own research, be prepared to do LOTS of Grant writing. Better learn those English Writing skills, as whether and how much grant money you get will determine what you really can do.

Personally, I am happy with just a Bachelor's degree and will be entering the work force doing IT and possibly Consulting. Physics degrees are pretty well respected, not just in the Physics industry. People know that to make it through Physics you had to be a damn good problem solver and quick learner.

[xOnic_]

Now lets not forget that you can always become a physics teacher when you are ready to settle down and move away from the research. So for sure, if you are interested and passionate about physics, go with it. Although it kind of sounds like you'll be in school for the rest of your life~

[Grassgreen]

I'd say focus on the chicks right now. High school doesn't last forever.

[JoKeRr]

Like everyone else said, physics is very tough. There's a lot of math (PDEs & ODEs, vector calc, complex, linear algebra, etc), and be prepared to derive a lot of 'proofs'. Throughout my undergrad in engineering physics (4 more months to go), I personally found physics courses a lot tougher than all the electrical engineering courses I've taken. In the end, you know a lot more too. Just fyi, I also have a job lined up starting in May, and I actually beat out grad students.

Yesterday when I was watching the TV about lead in toys, the most common method used was X-ray fluorescence. I did a lab on XRF in my 3rd year.

You can do a lot with a PhD in physics. Do your undergrad first and see if it's really for you. Physics can be extremely abstract, it's not for the faint of heart. Do not get too far ahead of yourself.

[ali123]

You could be part responsible for the permanent destruction of the planet Earth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider#Safety_concerns_and_assuranc es

Lol for something that's gonna begin operation in may that is pretty scary!. Thankyou for the constructive opinions guys.