J M O’Meara, Undergraduate Advisor

Department of PhysicsUniversity of Guelph

But What Can I But What Can I DODO

With A Physics Degree?With A Physics Degree?

How is studying physics How is studying physics useful?useful?

► Physics plays a central role in addressing Physics plays a central role in addressing major societal issuesmajor societal issues

e.g.e.g. global warming/climate change, pollution, global warming/climate change, pollution, energy sources, disease therapies, ...energy sources, disease therapies, ...

► A knowledge-based economy requires a A knowledge-based economy requires a scientifically-literate workforcescientifically-literate workforce

Employability Skills 2000 +

(Conference Board of Canada)

•the fundamental skills you need in the workplace:communication: “use relevant scientific knowledge and skills to explain or clarify ideas”

information management: “access, analyze and apply knowledge and skills from various disciplines (e.g. ... science, technology mathematics...)”

Employability Skills 2000 +

(Conference Board of Canada)

•the fundamental skills you need in the workplace:numeracy: “make estimates and verify calculations”

problem solving: “readily use science, technology, and mathematics as ways to think, gain and share knowledge, solve problems and make decisions ”

Fundamental Employability Fundamental Employability SkillsSkills

Problem solvingProblem solving

Using numbersUsing numbers

Managing informationManaging information

Learning continuouslyLearning continuously

Working with othersWorking with others

Being adaptableBeing adaptable

CommunicatingCommunicating

developed during your Physics developed during your Physics degreedegree

ProfilesProfiles

highlighting the highlighting the ‘unconventional’‘unconventional’

Steve BellSteve Bell

Education:Education:► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, Hons. B.Sc. in Physics,

Minor in Computer ScienceMinor in Computer Science► Class of ’96, University of GuelphClass of ’96, University of Guelph

Current Employment:Current Employment:► Lighting Technical Director, Lighting Technical Director,

PDI|DreamworksPDI|Dreamworks

Steve BellSteve BellPhysics grad, class of ’96, U of GPhysics grad, class of ’96, U of G

Dan FalkDan Falk

Education:Education:► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, Hons. B.Sc. in Physics,

Class of ’89, Dalhousie UniversityClass of ’89, Dalhousie University

Current Employment:Current Employment:

► Science Writer, freelance, with Science Writer, freelance, with regular contributions to:regular contributions to:

the Globe and Mail the Globe and Mail

CBC Radio programs "Ideas" and CBC Radio programs "Ideas" and "Quirks and Quarks""Quirks and Quarks"

Elaine LauElaine Lau

Education:Education:► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, Hons. B.Sc. in Physics,

U of T, ’92 U of T, ’92 ► M.Sc. in Physics, M.Sc. in Physics,

Simon Fraser University, Simon Fraser University, ’94’94

Current Employment:Current Employment:► Web Developer and Creative Web Developer and Creative

Director,Director,o2 Groupo2 Group

JJ OffiongJJ Offiong

Education:Education:► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, Hons. B.Sc. in Physics,

McMaster, ’96 McMaster, ’96 ► M.Sc. in Physics, M.Sc. in Physics,

University of University of Saskatchewan, ’99 Saskatchewan, ’99

Current Employment:Current Employment:► Defence Scientist,Defence Scientist,

Operational Research Operational Research Division, Dept of Division, Dept of National DefenceNational Defence

The Bigger PictureThe Bigger Picture

From the American Institute of Physics

Some statistics on physics Some statistics on physics gradsgrads

BSc’s awarded: ’85 to BSc’s awarded: ’85 to ’96 (Canadian data, ’96 (Canadian data,

945 responses)945 responses) R&D

Teaching

Computing

OtherSales

Consulting

ProductDevelopment

Mgmt

HealthSciences

unemployment: unemployment: 2-3% overall 2-3% overall <1% for those with <1% for those with graduate degreesgraduate degrees

So, what can you So, what can you DODO with a with a Physics degree?Physics degree?

... ANYTHING YOU WANT!... ANYTHING YOU WANT!

jobs requiring:

- problem solving skills - intellectual curiosity

- numeracy - adaptability

- communication skills- team work

- time management

Careers in Physics: Web Careers in Physics: Web ResourcesResources

► www.cap.ca/careers/www.cap.ca/careers/

► www.vector.cfee.org/english/login.phpwww.vector.cfee.org/english/login.php

► www.spsnational.org/cup/www.spsnational.org/cup/

► www.aip.org/aip/careers/careers.htmlwww.aip.org/aip/careers/careers.html

► careers.iop.orgcareers.iop.org

Or e-mail me: omeara@uoguelph.caOr e-mail me: omeara@uoguelph.caif you have any if you have any

questionsquestions

Department of Department of PhysicsPhysics

To view any of these To view any of these presentations please presentations please

visit visit www.physics.uoguelph.www.physics.uoguelph.

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