Career opportunities in Physics

Vijay Garg
Physics is an interesting subject that has exciting career opportunities for the passionate. Are you a physics student wondering which career path to choose? Then, here is a list of professions you can look into to pick the one that suits you and pursue a related course after class 12. Take a look at the career opportunities in physics.
Astronaut
Exploring space and its elements is a dream profession for a physics student. An astronaut is a professional who travels in spaceships with pilots and scientists to conduct experiments in space. A degree in science or physics is the basic educational qualification you must possess to become an astronaut.
Accelerator Operator
Accelerator operators use accelerator machines to bombard atomic particles for study and research. Their job is to stay updated with all the latest machines, their technology and maintenance. BSc in Physics is the basic degree required to become an accelerator operator. One could then pursue MSc to become fully qualified. As a fresher, you would be designated as Operator -I and then escalate to higher levels as you gain more experience.
Application Engineer
Application engineers are those who are actively involved in the sales of technical parts. They look into the maintenance and post-production activities of a product. They act as primary sales force on the field and explain a product, to be sold, to their prospective clients. You could be an engineering graduate in any stream in order to become an application engineer.
Teacher
Let’s not underestimate the job of a physics teacher who was actually responsible in triggering your interest to take up a career in this field. Usually, the teaching methods of a physics teacher will be different from the mundane lessons of other teachers due to the practical aspects and concepts behind each physics application. In order to become a physics teacher, you must major in physics in your undergraduation and then pursue a BEd.
Lab Technician
Lab technicians and assistants are employed in scientific research laboratories or school laboratories for science experiments. A diploma in physics will make one eligible to become a lab
technician. The bright side of this is that you can pursue higher studies while you are working, in order to advance in your career by taking relevant courses.
Laser Engineer
Laser engineers are also electrical engineers who design, manufacture, develop and test electrical equipments. Generally, a laser engineer reports to an Operations Manager about the duties carried out. The basic educational qualification required for this course is a degree in electrical engineering
Optical Engineer
Optical engineering is the study of optics. Optical engineers are involved in the designing of optical components such as lenses, telescopes, microscopes and the machinery to create them. A degree in Mechanical or Electronic engineering can lead you towards a career in Optical engineering.
Research Associate
A research associate is a researcher who conducts research on various physics concepts. They work with scientists or on any science project that requires analysis. In order to become a research associate in physics, you must purse degrees in the following order – BSc in physics, MSc in physics, MPhil and then PhD.
Gravity Researcher
A gravity researcher conducts research on the concept of gravity to provide gravitational shielding, study monuments, architecture and more. You must acquire a postdoctoral fellowship in physics in order to become a gravity researcher.
Architect
Architecture has its base in physics given that it largely deals with the placement and construction of buildings. You could take up a course in BArch in order to become an architect. BArch is a five-year professional course in India.