Careers in Physics

Physics is one of the oldest academic principles and involves the scientific study of matter, motion, energy and force. This area of science has evolved over the years to bring together a number of laws that attempt to explain how the universe behaves. If we take a glance at the history of physics, a number of renowned physicists have dedicated their lives to this scientific principle. In our everyday lives, we encounter products and services that are developed with the basic principles of physics. From transportation to architecture, and from engineering to astronomy, all areas require the use of physics.

In modern times, physics is taught as a fundamental course at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary level of education. Physics is also a specialization area that many students pursue in hopes of becoming a physicist. The careers for physics majors can really take them places. A bachelor in physics and masters in physics are the leading degree programs being offered in this area. There are also a number of non-degree physics related programs that can be pursued.

Physics Education
In many colleges, a separate physics department has been established to provide educational services to students in this area. The core aim of physics degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level is to strengthen the theoretical elements of physics as well as practical application. Students enrolled in physics degree programs learn about the basic fundamentals of physics and cover a wide range of subjects such as calculus, algebra, theoretical physics, and introductory physics. On the other hand, the curriculum also entails a number of advanced courses that are related to experimental physics such as mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, quantum physics, and statistical physics.

Much of the coursework deals with research work, experimentation and practical application. Students acquire hands-on experience and learn how to practically conduct research experiments. Physics degree programs are also being offered online, in which students get a chance to understand the concepts through video tutorials, online classroom conferences, and online lectures. Online education has proved to be less expensive and way more convenient to pursue as compared to traditional campus based studies.

Career Prospects
It is a common misconception that physics majors are only hired by research facilities or educational institutions. There are dozens of other organizations and sectors that require the services of physicists. Careers in physics have been ranked among the highest-paying jobs. The field of physics is extremely diverse and leads to a range of job opportunities. Some of the job areas one can look forward to with a physics degree have been mentioned below:

• Education
• Industry
• Environmental science
• Engineering
• Space and earth sciences
• Consultation
• Medicine
• Computer science

One can work as a researcher in a field or even provide consultation services to major industrial firms. The career opportunities are never ending and often come with a high entry-level income. According to latest statistics, a physicist with a bachelor's degree and no prior work experience can make a minimum yearly income of $51,000. On the other hand, work experience and certifications can help increase the income level to over $136,000 per year.

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

State	Employment	Employment per thousand jobs	Location quotient	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage
California	1660	0.11	1.26	18.13	37720
Florida	1130	0.14	1.68	17.97	37370
Illinois	960	0.16	1.92	17.9	37240
Texas	760	0.07	0.78	16.62	34570
New York	650	0.07	0.85	20.12	41840

Source: bls.gov