When you complete a physics major at Wheaton, you are well prepared for graduate study in physics, astronomy, or engineering, or a career in education or industry. Many employers in the private sector are looking for candidates who are able to solve technical problems, are able to work in a team, and know how to write technical reports. These are exactly the kind of things that you learn in a physics or engineering degree.
To give you an idea what you can do with one of these degrees, we put together a list with some of the major options. Of course, there are many opportunities beyond this list as well.
Further Education
-
Graduate School
If you are interested in a research career or just want to deepen your knowledge, you can continue your studies and obtain an M.S. or Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, or engineering. The gradschoolshopper.com website has information on graduate schools. -
Professional School
A physics or engineering degree also opens the door to many other professions for which you need more training, such as law, public policy and education. It also opens the door to medical or dental school, as long as you also take “pre-medical” classes in biology, chemistry and related areas while at Wheaton.
Careers for Physics BS/BA
-
Engineering
A good number of Physics students with a bachelors find a career in engineering. The technical skills that you learn during a physics or engineering major prepare you for many different fields, including aeronautical, civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, and other engineering fields. If you are interested in engineering from the start, you should also consider Wheaton's Engineering program. -
Professional Physicist
If you are interested in working in the private sector as a physicist, there are many options available. You will find physicists and engineers in industry, working on semiconductors, transportation, materials, energy, lasers, etc., or in national laboratory research, university research, astronomy, aerospace, military, environmental science, computer science, technical writing, and many other areas. -
Other Opportunities
A degree in physics or engineering can also open doors to employment in a variety of other career fields, such as patent law, political office, small and large businesses of many different kinds, entrepreneurship, and much more. If you want to know more about careers in cybersecurity, you can visit the cybersecurity careers website.
If you want to know more about what physics students do after their bachelor, master, or PhD, you can visit the website of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Another great resource about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be found at bestcolleges.com
More information about the growth in STEM careers and STEM career paths can be found at the Accredited Schools Online website.
For personal career guidance, visit Wheaton's Center for Vocation and Career.