College and Career Plans

After high school, I plan to attend college. While I am completely undecided in my field of study, and could picture myself just as easily majoring in chemical engineering as in english literature, I know that I am very passionate about any form of science. For this reason, I will consider my potential career options based on my theoretical majoring in the broad realm of physics.

One job that a physics major could obtain is a professor. While the average salaries for professors do not vary greatly based on their geographic locations, they do vary based on the institution. While rich, generally more prestigious institutions can offer between $130,000 and $180,000 for their full-time professors, smaller, less wealthy schools tend to offer their professors salaries between $80,000 and $100,000 per year, excluding tax. To become a professor at one of a majority of American universities, one absolutely must obtain a Ph.D. in their field. To become a professor, one must a several specific characteristics. First, one must be sociable, as a majority of the job is to speak professionally in front of a large group of students, and one must additionally interact with these students in more personal office hours. Also, professors must be very ambitious, as they are often involved in independent research in their area of expertise. This requires them to be both very interested in their field, and determined to make meaningful advances in their field.

A physics major could also become a nuclear physicist, studying the behaviors of nuclei and the forces present in atoms, and working to employ discoveries to benefit the world. On average, nuclear physicists earn salaries of approximately $136,000. While nuclear physicists in the states of Louisiana, Minnesota, and Florida earn about $150,000 per year,  those in California make only about $100,000 a year, and those in Texas on average make only $90,000 per year. Most jobs in nuclear physics require at least a Master's degree in the field, but those with Ph.D.'s in their field are expected to obtain the highest-paying jobs in nuclear physics. Lastly, to become a nuclear physicist, one does not need to be social like a professor does. But while they can lack interaction skills, they absolutely must be ambitious and interested in their field, as most jobs in this field require many years of education, and involve the further study of the subject in the daily work process. Obviously, nuclear physicists must be very focussed on education, and be very motivated to work in it.

Lastly, one could use their physics degree to become a biophysicist, studying the forces, energy, and other areas of physics that are involved in living organisms. Biophysicists, on average, earn about $80,000 per year, regardless of geographical location. Although, biophysicists employed as researchers for private organizations often make upwards  of $130,000, while those researching for the government make on average about $100,000, and those working as professors make approximately $80,000 per year. Like with nuclear physicists, biophysicists are generally required to hold a master's degree in the field, but those with Ph.D.'s are more likely to secure a job an receive the highest pay. Again, these researchers must not seek a job socializing with many others, because research in primarily a job without many daily work associates. Even so, they must again be very driven to understand the science of their field very thoroughly, as research is a very academic job, and is essentially an extension of the studying of college.

While the academic motivation required for these jobs can seem intimidating, I am interested in them because I truly am passionate about physics, and the entire vast realm of physical science.