Your future with physics
Careers outside science
Physics graduates are particularly attractive to companies outside the scientific industries because of their skills in analysing information and solving complex problems, and their high levels of numeracy and computer literacy. Well paid careers can be found in the banking, insurance and accountancy sectors, as well as the software, computing and consultancy industries. In 2007, nearly 20% of physics graduates went into business and finance professions, making it a very popular career path for graduates. Of course, there is always the opportunity for physics graduates to return to the scientific community, as New Directions (members' only) details. On p34, Alex Seeley describes the pluses and minuses of working in the City.
Many of the careers below are profiled on the Inside Careers website. Each section includes advice, sector information, lists of recruiting companies and details of work experience opportunities, click here to enter Inside Careers website.
The full scope of careers open to physics degree holders would be impossible to list here, but here are just a few:
Computing
- Tessella — developers of scientific software and specifically recruits scientific programmers
- Logica — specialist in computer consultancy and has a graduate recruitment system
- IBM — one of the world's leading hardware and software experts.
Finance
- The banking and finance sector casts a wide recruiting net, with many career opportunities to be found at Prospects and the key occupations profiled at Inside Careers.
Patent attorney
- Patent attorneys help individuals and organisations to protect their intellectual property by writing and defending patents, and advising them on the legal framework that protects new developments. The best site to gain an overview of the profession, to find out about current training opportunities and read about the career paths available is Inside Careers.
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