But What Can I DO
With A Physics Degree?
J M O’Meara
Department of Physics
University of Guelph
How is studying physics useful?
► Physics
plays a central role in addressing major
societal issues
 e.g. global warming/climate change, pollution, energy
sources, disease therapies, ...
►A
knowledge-based economy requires a
scientifically-literate workforce
Employability Skills 2000 +
(Conference Board of Canada)
• the fundamental skills you
need in the workplace:
communication:
“use relevant scientific
knowledge and skills
to explain or clarify
ideas”
information management:
“access, analyze and apply
knowledge and skills
from various disciplines
(e.g. ... science, technology
mathematics...)”
Employability Skills 2000 +
(Conference Board of Canada)
• the fundamental skills you
need in the workplace:
numeracy:
“make estimates and
verify calculations”
problem solving:
“readily use science,
technology, and
mathematics as ways to
think, gain and share
knowledge, solve problems
and make decisions ”
Employability Skills 2000 +
(Conference Board of Canada)
• additional skills needed:
Be Adaptable
Learn Continuously
Work with Others
Fundamental Employability Skills
Problem solving
Using numbers
Managing information
Learning continuously
Working with others
Being adaptable
Communicating
st
21
Century World
“I believe that a solid education in physics is
the best conceivable preparation for the
lifetime of rapid technological & social
change that our young people must expect
to face. The undergraduate physics major
is the liberal arts education of the 21st
century!”
►David
Goodstein, Caltech
Profiles
highlighting the ‘unconventional’
By degree....
After a B.Sc.
 Steve Bell
After an M.Sc.
 JJ Offiong
After a Ph.D.
 Erin Niven
 Mark Staley
Steve Bell
Education:
► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics,
Minor in Computer Science
► Class of ’96, University of Guelph
Current Employment:
► Lighting Technical Director,
PDI|Dreamworks
What does Steve do?
► works with programmers to put ‘virtual
lighting’ in the shots of animated movies
How did Physics prepare Steve for this work?
► there is a lot of problem-solving involved,
“which transfers pretty well”
► “having an idea of how light works tends to
help”
Steve’s success
JJ Offiong
Education:
► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics,
McMaster, ’96
► M.Sc. in Physics,
University of
Saskatchewan, ’99
Current Employment:
► Defence Scientist,
Operational Research
Division, Dept of National
Defence
What does JJ do?
► uses mathematical and computational tools
to synthesize information
► advises decision makers on solutions to key
operational problems
How did Physics prepare JJ for this work?
►
the application of the scientific method to
real-world problems
►
practical mathematical training
►
problem solving skills
Erin Niven
Education:
► Hons. B.Sc. in Medical
Physics, McMaster, ’96
► M.Sc. in Health Physics,
McMaster, ’98
► Ph.D. in Medical Physics,
McMaster, ’03
Current Employment:
►
Radiation Safety Officer,
University of Guelph
What does Erin do?
► ensures compliance with safety regulations
► provides recommendations on sources,
equipment and techniques
► collects dosimetric data
How did Physics prepare Erin for this work?
►
knowledge base in radiation physics
►
rapid assessment of problems
►
effective communication across disciplines
Mark Staley
Education:
► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, U of T, ’86
► M.Sc. in Physics, U of T, ’88
► Ph.D. in Physics, U of G, ’95
Current Employment:
►
Director of Core Engine Development,
CIBC World Markets
What does Mark do?
► manages a team of programmers, analysts
and mathematicians to develop risk models
for the trading floor
How did Physics prepare Mark for this work?
►
the training in applying mathematics to
“an uncertain set of data” has helped
Mark to excel in this field
The Bigger Picture
From the American
Institute of Physics
So, what can you DO with a Physics
degree?
jobs requiring:
- problem solving skills
- intellectual curiosity
- numeracy
- adaptability
- communication skills
- team work
- time management
... ANYTHING YOU WANT!
Web Resources
► www.cap.ca/careers/
► www.vector.cfee.org/english/login.php
► www.spsnational.org/cup/
► www.aip.org/aip/careers/careers.html
► careers.iop.org