1. Employment and Career Paths
Rachel Ivie

2. Physics Bachelors One year after Degree
Recipients of bachelor’s degrees in physics typically either enter the work force or enroll in graduate school. For the classes of 2013 and 2014 combined. Just over half (54%) of physics bachelors entered graduate school, with the majority pursuing advanced degrees in physics or astronomy. Just under half of physics bachelors entered the workforce. Overall unemployment rate in the US in 2015 was about 5%.
About 80% of Physics BS earners will not get a PhD in physics
One third enters into graduate school in physics and astronomy - with 80% in a PhD program
Remainder enters graduate school in other fields… lets further explore graduate school
Classes of 2013 & 2014 Combined

3. field of Graduate Study for Physics Bachelors One year after Degree
More than half (54%) of physics bachelors from the classes of 2013 and 2014 decided to continue on to graduate school following receipt of their degrees. About three-fifths of physics bachelors in graduate school were continuing their studies in physics or astronomy. The remaining two-fifths enrolled in graduate school were split among other fields of study, with almost half enrolled in graduate school studying engineering. The vast majority of those enrolled in graduate school were studying in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) field.
Classes of 2013 & 2014 Combined

4. Primary Types of Financial Support for Graduate School
TA stipend ~ $16,200
RA stipend ~ $17,600
85% of first-year students at doctoral-granting physics departments receive full tuition wavers in addition to their stipends.

5. FINDING A PHYSICS GRAD SCHOOL

6. INITIAL EMPOYMENT SECTORS OF PHYSICS BACHELORS
Classes of 2013 and 2014 combined

7. FIELD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR PHYSICS BACHELORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Classes of 2013 and 2014 combined

8. Starting Salaries for Physics Bachelors
Typical starting salary of a physics bachelor degree has increased nearly 10,000 since 2003
Starting salaries for physics MS is more than BS usually $10K higher than STEM jobs and $20K higher than non STEM jobs
Private sector STEM median was 51
Classes of 2011 and 2012 combined

9. TYPICAL STEM SALARIES, 2015
Physics bachelor’s ranks higher in starting salary than many other STEM fields

12. Knowledge and Skills Regularly Used by Physics Bachelors in the Private Sector
Employment in Computer Science or Information Technology
Employment in Engineering
Classes of 2011 and 2012 combined

15. Take Aways
Earning a STEM degree opens the door to a plethora of job opportunities
Faculty positions are NOT the most typical career path
Industry is the largest employment base of physics PhDs, …and Masters, …and Bachelors
Industry typically has higher initial and mid career salaries
Research opportunities exist in industry with a chance to collaborate with lots of smart people
Often recruited for your skills, not for the name of your major
Be prepared and proactive; Network and apply!

16. Thanks to my colleagues Patrick Mulvey, Laura Merner and Roman Czujko

17. Years of physics graduate study to earn a physics PhD

19. Under-represented minorities earning Bachelor's degrees in physics
Physics specific trends