"Thinking about the future: What's in it for me?"

1. "Thinking about the future: What's in it for me?" Prof. Donald D. Koetke Professor of Physics Valparaiso University Department of Physics & Astronomy Colloquium 8 February 2002

2. ? ? ? What resources are available? What are future possibilities? ? ? How to prepare? Which directions to follow?

3. "So, you'll have a degree in physics -- what now?" • What can you do now to improve your chances of success immediately after leaving Valpo?

5. Note the feedback loops -- • Your study should inform your • career considerations • Your career considerations should • inform your study plans • What do you like most? • Experimental • Theoretical • Writing • Computer applications • Teaching others • Problem solving Attempt to match your curriculum and your career ideas/plans/aspirations.

6. How can you attempt to match your curriculum and your career ideas, plans, aspiration? • Here are some suggestions -- • Try to anticipate your future • Make use of availableresources • The www • The library • The faculty • Valpo grads • Coop education • The Career Center …more on these ahead...

7. Try to anticipate your future • Begin thinking about your future now - • Perhaps, begin by asking the question ... “What happens to VU physics and astronomy graduates after graduation?” [Alumni]

8. Which sub-field of physics or astronomy interests you? • You do not have to cement this now but it helps to have some ideas. • Words from our graduates: “When I was at VU I could not have imagined I would be doing what I am doing now!” • Will it be physics or astronomy or … • Medicine, Law, Applied Physics, or something else?

9. What are some physics sub-fields? • Condensed matter physics • Nuclear and particle physics • Atmospheric physics • Electro-optics • Laser physics • Biophysics • Geophysics • Astrophysics • Medical physics • …and many more... Moral: Think broadly about your future possibilities

10. Here are more physics sub-fields? • Acoustics Applied Physics • Astronomy Astrophysics • Atmospheric Sciences Atomic, Molecular • Biophysics Chemical Physics • Computer Science Condensed Matter • Electromagnetism Electronics • Energy Sources Environmental Physics • Fluids Geophysics • History/philosophy Low Temperature Phys. • Marine Sciences Materials Science • Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Physics • Optics Oceanography • Particles and Fields Physics Education • Physics of Beams Plasma Physics/Fusion • Polymer Physics Relativity & Gravitation • Space Science Statistical/Thermal Phys • Systems Science Computational Physics • Laser Physics Surface Science • Mathematical Physics Accelerator Physics • Electron Optics Moral: Think broadly about your future possibilities

11. How to select a graduate school? • Consider your preferred field • Rule out geographic areas • Be realistic - • GPA • GRE • MS or PhD • Discuss it with faculty • Consult grad school profiles [AIP] • Look at preferred schools on the www • See VU www page for help (soon) Begin the process early!

12. Plan for graduate school -- • Grades • Do your best;study hard • Don't beunduly anxiousabout grades • Beambitious to learn • Take abroad curriculumof courses • Be solid inmath

13. Plan for graduate school -- • Graduate Record Exam - • General(verbal, quantitative, analytical) -- take it early (e.g., summer of junior -> senior year)Try practice test • Physics (take this in fall of senior year) --but -- • You must prepare - early • Begin in spring, junior year • Take the department’s prep-course

14. Plan for graduate school -- • Recommendations • Probability for success in grad school • Shows imagination/creativity • Promise of a good career • Communications skills (written & oral) • Good computer and laboratory skills • Evidence of reliability and responsibility

15. Plan for graduate school -- • What is average time for an MS after VU? • About 1.5 years. • Seek advice on schools. • What is average time for an PhD after VU? • About 6 years. • 2.5 years of course work, • 3.5 years of research. • What does one do with a PhD in physics? • Physics research in industry • Physics research at government lab. • College teaching and research • And, many other options… [Alumni] • You do not pay for grad school in physics! • Free tuition • Stipend (TA/RA)

16. Whatdoes a physics graduate do????? • Think of your marketable skills… • Problem solving skills • Computer/analytical skills • Laboratory skills • Communications skills (written/oral) • Think of what you enjoy doing most… • Computer applications • Working with people • Working in the laboratory

17. Whatdo employers look for? • Applicable skills • Be computer literate! • Develop problem solving skills • Know your way around the laboratory • Communications skills • If written and/or oral communications are a limitation for you, get help now! • Teamwork and independence • Adaptability • Be educated -- not merely trained. (There is a difference!)

18. Whatdo employers look for? • Reliability and Responsibility • Get assignments in on time! • Don't miss class or appointments without excuse! • Creativity • Think! Don't merely do the minimum. • Read! Spend at least some time reading beyond the texts. • Interact! Try ideas out on others (including faculty). • Question! Keep asking questions. It is one mark of a good student!!

19. Whatdo employers look for? • Experience • Summer research experience • Follow the opportunities posted • Apply early and often! • Summer employment Search out guidance...

20. Search out guidance... • VU Career Center (www) • Career guidance • Interest inventory • Career opportunities • Interview training • Resume writing help • Talk with faculty • Ask VU Alumni (more later..) • Look at www employment sources • Consider a coop experience ...

21. What resources are available? • Let’s look back at the overall plan… • We can explore each “resource” in more detail • Find out what is to be learned from each...

23. What is “coop(erative) education?” • How can it help me? • It is a “cooperation” between VU and some employer • You work for the employer for a semester & summer • You get paid ($$) by the employer, often rather well • You earn 3 credit-hours from VU • You learn real-work experience • You gain appreciation how VU education can be used • You move toward career decision(s) Is this an option for you? www.physics.valpo.edu

24. How can faculty help you to plan for your future? • Faculty (especially your academic advisor) knows you -- • Your academic abilities and performance • Your demonstrated skills • We (faculty) will try to ask helpful questions -- • To get you to think through your options • To help you to explore possibilities • To connect you with resources - people, www, print, ... When have you last discussed your future with your advisor? www.physics.valpo.edu

25. What can you learn from print resources? • The library resources for career planning are vast! • Consult the reference librarian for more definitive help! www.physics.valpo.edu

26. What do VU alumni have to offer for your career planning? • Graduate school choice -- “been there; done that” • Sub-field selection -- “made the decision” • Employment opportunities -- “job openings here” • Career advice -- “it’s not physics, but I love it!” • MS or PhD? -- “it was my choice and I am happy with it” • Specific company -- “sure I work here; glad to offer advice” www.physics.valpo.edu

27. What’s on the www for career planning? • Probably more than we can profitably use! • Graduate school information [AIP] • Connections with alumni [Alumni] • Career planning resources [Career] • Job searches • Some specifics --- • American Institute of Physics (AIP) [AIP] • American Physical Society (APS)[APS] Suggestion:Take some time to explore your career options on the www www.physics.valpo.edu

29. Have we begun to answer some of these questions? ? ? ? What resources are available? What are future possibilities? ? ? How to prepare? Which directions to follow? I hope so...