1. J M O’Meara, Undergraduate Advisor Department of Physics University of Guelph But What Can I DO With A Physics Degree?

2. How is studying physics useful? ► Physics plays a central role in addressing major societal issues  e.g. global warming/climate change, pollution, energy sources, disease therapies,... ► A knowledge-based economy requires a scientifically-literate workforce

3. 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...)”

4. 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 ”

5. Fundamental Employability Skills Problem solving Using numbers Managing information Learning continuously Working with others Being adaptable Communicating developed during your Physics degree

6. Profiles highlighting the ‘unconventional’

7. Steve Bell Education: ► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, Minor in Computer Science ► Class of ’96, University of Guelph Current Employment: ► Lighting Technical Director, PDI|Dreamworks

8. Steve Bell Physics grad, class of ’96, U of G

9. Dan Falk Education: ► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, Class of ’89, Dalhousie University Current Employment: ► Science Writer, freelance, with regular contributions to:  the Globe and Mail  CBC Radio programs "Ideas" and "Quirks and Quarks"

10. Elaine Lau Education: ► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, U of T, ’92 ► M.Sc. in Physics, Simon Fraser University, ’94 Current Employment: ► Web Developer and Creative Director, o2 Group

11. JJ Offiong Education: ► Hons. B.Sc. in Physics, McMaster, ’96 ► M.Sc. in Physics, University of Saskatchewan, ’99 Current Employment: ► Defence Scientist, Operational Research Division, Dept of National Defence

12. The Bigger Picture From the American Institute of Physics

13. Some statistics on physics grads BSc’s awarded: ’85 to ’96 (Canadian data, 945 responses) R&D Teaching Computing Other Sales Consulting Product Development Mgmt Health Sciences unemployment: 2-3% overall <1% for those with graduate degrees

14. So, what can you DO with a Physics degree?... ANYTHING YOU WANT! jobs requiring: - problem solving skills- intellectual curiosity - numeracy - adaptability - communication skills- team work - time management

15. Careers in Physics: Web Resources ► www.cap.ca/careers/ ► www.vector.cfee.org/english/login.php ► www.spsnational.org/cup/ ► www.aip.org/aip/careers/careers.html ► careers.iop.org Or e-mail me: omeara@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions

16. Department of Physics To view any of these presentations please visit www.physics.uoguelph.ca