Chris Heston
ENG 101 Mon, Wed, Fri.
1:30-2:20
Career/Major Forecast Paper
Most people, when asked to choose a career to follow, they usually say that they want to
become a doctor, nurse, lawyer, or a dentist, etc. This tends to influence others into thinking that
also should become a doctor or a lawyer or nurse, etc. But that does not mean that they cannot
change their choice later on.
When I was a kid, I wanted to become a dentist. But, I started to develop a slight fear of blood
later on, and decided that maybe I should not become a dentist. Once, I watched some of the Bill
Nye: the Science Guy epsiosdes in school, I noticed that was really into science. When I hit high
school, I was really astounded by my physics techer, which got me interested in the Physics field
of science. Plus I loved watching the show, The Big Bang Theory. So, the reasons I want to
become a theoretical physicist as a career because of the high salary, the skills I can transfer
through the different sub fields, and the many people I can meet.
The first step to becoming a theoretical physicist is through education and boy is it a lot. I
would have to have some general knowledge of physics, plus I would have had to have already
taken calculus and a calculus based physics class in high school. Also, since its Theoretical
physics, I will definitely need a huge amount of knowledge of calculus, plus I would be lots of
research. Then, in college, I would join the Society of Physics Students on campus, if there was
one on campus. A third item would be that I would need to have taken a computer science class.
A way to get some experience would be to find someone to get an internship with and help them
with any research. Where there’s research, there is usually a grant nearby and that means money
which goes onto the next reason why I want to become a theoretical physicist.
The next step to becoming a theoretical physicist is the economic side of it. A standard salary
for a physicist is averaged at $112,090 per year (insert ref). If they were doing research and
development, it reduce to $104,650 a year (insert ref.). And, if they were working for the
government, the salry would only slightly increase to $111,020 a year (ref.). Plus, these are all
good salaries. The only training a physicist would go through would be more schooling, such as
quantum physics or nuclear physics depending on which area they are going to theorize.
Speaking of theories, let’s theorize into my next reason.
Another reason I want to become a theoretical physicist is because of the job outlook. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics stated that career growth for Physicist would increase a total of
10% by 2020 (ref.). They also stated that 7.2 thousand job openings (ref.). Some transferable
skills would be to evaluate a colleagues research to make sure the math works out, help a them
out with research, use a specialized computer software for research. Sadly there would really be
no reason to have any strategies or tactics that are needed to be learned from, the only strategies
would be deductive reasoning, and critical thinking.
Now, the last reason I wanted to be a theoretical physicist is because of the cool stuff I would
be able to research and do. Some things that physicists are able to use are 3-D printers, particle
accelerators, and they can use drones and rockets. Well maybe not necessarily rockets but you
get the point. Also I would be able to compare results to other theoretical physicists. I would
communicate with them through e-mail, calling them through skype, or literally talking to them.
I would always be asking questions and contacting the university or company for research grants,
plus I would go to the seminars. Some easy problem sovling strategies for my career would be
trying different approaches to the problem. Also I would ask colleagues their opinion about my
work.
Overall, a great career I would take up would a theoretical physicist because I am hoping to
graduate from Arizona State University with a masters or higher in Physics and maybe a minor
in math. Also physics is so cool compared to any other subject. Plus, being a physicst is a high
paying job.