Physicists study energy, matter, materials and their structure and behavior. This is one of the fundamental sciences, requiring a thorough grounding in the basic principles of physics like gravity, application of energy and mathematics. Physics can be a highly demanding discipline, but also extremely rewarding science, capable of making new discoveries which can quite literally change the world. Career path Physics studies quite literally begin with absolute basics in early high school education. These studies are progressively developed in course selection through high school as precursors to territory studies and qualifications. |
Typically, to work in the area of physics you require at least a graduate, and more commonly a postgraduate degree. Most research in physics is conducted at doctorate level. Some of the most advanced research in the world is conducted by physicists and the demands for skills are correspondingly high.
The commercial, industrial and academic applications of physics are extensive. Physicists may be involved in developing new materials, researching quantum particle properties, molecular levels of research, and equally demanding fields. The individual knowledge base required to conduct this work can be enormous, and this can also be a highly competitive area of employment among specialists.
Career progression Physics is an extremely wide area of study, and career development may be affected directly by areas of employment, types of specialization, participation in research, and other quite subjective factors. On the whole physicists tend to specialize in areas of preference, but because physics is a highly competitive science in terms of research opportunities in particular, career paths may digress into various areas based on opportunities. |
For that reason, most businesses set their own career goals and approach attaining those goals systematically. Career development is largely based on sequential progression through various roles in the science. For example, a physicist may start out doing product material research, and move onward and a broad-based materials research, molecular science and related fields. As you can see, there is a logical series of career progressions, sometimes tangential and based on the broad area of research.
Physics is the science which provides the seemingly endless series of new technical developments and technologies in recent history. It's a truly fascinating science, attracting the most dedicated people. A career in physics is in many ways a career in the science of the future.