If you have ever wondered aloud what to do after you get your physics degree, you have probably been told that you can do "whatever you want."
Since this is only slightly more useful than the answer "nothing at all," we have decided to make a few suggestions.
The role of a physicist is to understand how the world works to the highest level of detail. Physicists study problems in science and technology, and develop solutions for instrumentation, measurement techniques, and model development in a wide variety of areas.
You work hard over the four years of your undergrad to develop an understanding of the underlying processes in the universe and, perhaps more importantly, to develop a set of skills related to critical and creative thinking that make you employable in diverse areas both within and outside of academia.
Possible careers
If you have a Bachelor of Science in Physics:
- Laboratory technician
- Research technician
- Field researcher
- Production assistant
- Technical writer
- Operations management
- Photographer
- Sales representative for technical products
- Educational television producer
- Laser technician
- Instrument technician
With additional education/training, you might also consider:
- Marine geophysicist
- Systems analyst
- Applications programmer
- Systems support representative
- Space technician
- Flight management analyst
- Photogrammeter
- Meteorologist
- Seismic observer
- Professor
- Teacher
- Physicist
- Nuclear physicist
- Chemical physicist
- Electronics physicist
- Optics physicist
- Thermodynamics physicist
- Biophysicist
- Medical physicist
Areas of employment
- Astronomy
- Meteorology
- Marine science
- Biophysics
- Geophysics
- Product development
- Consulting
- Sales and marketing
- Research and development
- Teaching
- Computing
- Education
- Finance
- Journalism
- Health sciences
- Management and administration
- Industrial science
Find out more about what these physics grads are doing with their degrees
LeeAnn Janissen describes how her training as a physicist prepared her for a career in the capital markets.
Ken Iliadis applies his physics education to forensic work in his career as an accident reconstruction expert with MEA Forensic Engineers and Scientists.
Irene and Jeff Vavasour’s physics backgrounds contribute to their rewarding and challenging careers as an MRI researcher and video game developer.
Laura-Isabelle Dion explains how her degree in physics is put to work as an application scientist and the exciting opportunities for travel and collaboration with her job.
Professional associations
Professional associations can be a means of meeting, learning from, and networking with professionals in your field of interest.
Furthermore, their sites often offer further information on careers and job opportunities related to the field. Some associations offer student memberships, often at a reduced rate. Below is a sample of such associations.
- Canadian Association of Physicists
- Canadian Astronomical Society
- Canadian Association of Science Writers
- American Physical Society
- American Institute of Physics
- National Association of Science Writers
- European Physical Society
Physics alumni
Mount Allison physics alumni work in a wide variety of careers, including:
- Professional engineer with Lorax Environmental Services
- Environmental planner
- Business analyst associate
- Medical physicist
- Energy analyst at Energy Profiles Limited
- Actuarial analyst
- School teacher
- Radar and EW scientist at Tactical Technologies Inc.
- Associate portfolio manager, derivative strategies at OPTrust
- Professional engineer and project manager at Corrpro Canada
- Communications at PlusValue (PV)
- Building science consultant at Morrison Hershfield
- Wind integration researcher at WEICan
- Lead data scientist at Preteckt
- Research scientist at Bubble Technology Industries
- Lawyer
- Medical doctor
- Team lead, subsea interventions at Husky Energy
- Veterinarian