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LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Physics in my future?Physics in my future?
LIFE1001 Lecture 83,000,000 – Physics & Life Choices
Updated:12/04/2023 07:08 AM
Gonna try to sell you the reality rather than the dream…
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Academia…Academia…
More than just boring old academics ranting away at blackboards…
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Academia… Dream or Nightmare?Academia… Dream or Nightmare?
Academia is 30% heaven and about 70% hell.
The biggest hell is the work-load: supremely ultra-competitive, takes lots of sacrifices.
This isn’t to discourage you, it’s to be honest about what you’re up against.
The best bit: Mostly get to choose your own directions, work own schedule, travel.
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
The pointy end of the pyramidThe pointy end of the pyramid
Some of you will turn left voluntarily, many of you will turn left by repeated games of musical chairs…
Taken from: http://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/
2014/10/03/the-postdoc-decision
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LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Don’t quit physics yet…Don’t quit physics yet…
99% of the 96.5% who turn left have a job.
It is often really rewarding, pays more, and involves less hours than academia. It’s
just not obvious to you yet.
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Where my friends have ended up…Where my friends have ended up…
“We are smart creative hard-working people, they are always in demand…”
“It's lucky most smart people have figured out that they can make more money risk free by just getting a job.”
Director/CTO of startup company.
Partner in own consulting firm.
Designing physics-real CGI for video games.
Science journalist
Editor at journal
Interface design at
imaging co.
Meteorologist
Patents law
Share-trader
Simulation development for
oil company.
Staff scientist w/ Rio Tinto.
Teacher
Production engineer at Intel
Research scientist with US Navy
Investment strategist
Content developer:
education co
Engineer with science equipment co.
Software writer
Science communication
“Gentleman of Leisure” (i.e., rich & enjoying life).
Novelist/Author
MusicianPolitical advisor
Artist
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Tips…Tips…
1. Do physics (and maths): advances your problem solving skills, pushes you further into top x % of society where x
2. Avoid becoming too narrow too early. Diversify, keep your options open. What can you learn that makes you different to everyone else?
3. Don’t become an equation monkey; work on your ‘soft’ skills also (e.g., writing, presentation, managing people).
4. Focus on improving yourself: you don’t have to be the smartest kid in the class in first year to be on top by end of honours.
5. Work hard, stay positive. Resilience is an essential skill, especially in academia.
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
Tips…Tips…
6. Press your technological advantage…
Use it to see inside real life in science even…
LIFE1001Physics & Life Choices
All that matters in the end...All that matters in the end...
Be nice people, have an awesome life.