Start preparing for your future

Research career paths to determine the best fit for you.

• Careers Toolbox
• APS Physics Career Planning Self-Assessment
• Physicist Profiles 
• Common Career Paths
• Common Careers of Physicists in the Private Sector
• APS Career Guide

Some career paths may require a graduate degree. Use GradSchoolShopper to research graduate programs that thrive in your field. Check out the most recent companies that have hired physics graduates.

Interested in the medical field? There are various health related career paths you can take. 

Make yourself known to your professors by attending office hours, setting up one-on-one meetings, and attending department events. The best letters of recommendation come from those that know you in and outside of the classroom. 

• Linked-in
• SunDevilSync
• Physics Student Orgs
• APS Industry Mentoring for Physicists 

Elevate your education by completing an experience. Use the Elevate Experience Finder to find an activity that aligns with your interests. 

• Internships - Build skills that are desirable to employers. Use Handshake, Indeed, LinkedIn, and other job sites to find available positions. 
• Research  - Research experience will help indicate your level of competency in a lab, your ability to work with other students and faculty, and your eagerness to contribute to the physics community.
  • Department of Physics Research
  • Research Experiences for Undergraduates
• Additional Skills -Take time to figure out if you need skills that your degree did not provide. Skills could include: programming, industry knowledge, grant writing, project management, or even public speaking. 

Finding the right graduate program is more than a great location. Students should consider a university's specific faculty, funding, notable research, and group openings.

• GradSchoolShopper - a database that compiles information on graduate programs within the physical sciences. 
• Inclusion - If you would like information on the climate for women in physics, APS has compiled 92 surveys from various institutions regarding inclusion. 
• Medical School - Check out ASU's Pre-health website for information on various medical programs.
• Graduate School Comparison Worksheet - Use this document to help narrow down graduate programs. 

Graduate Admission Workshops/Programs

• P4 - Prospective Physics PHD Preview 
• Graduate Admissions Series
• APS Bridge Program 

Application Materials

• Letters of Recommendation (LOR)- Students should start requesting LORs a semester before they graduate.
• Personal Statement - Your personal statement will tell reviewers why you are applying and how you would contribute to their program and research efforts. 
• Common Tests - For information on test prep, go to career.asu.edu/grad-school-and-test-prep
  • GRE (https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/about.html)  
  • Physics GRE (https://www.ets.org/gre/score-users/about/subject-tests.html). Check admission requirements for your program to determine if Physics GRE is required. 
  • The Medical College Admission Test (https://students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam)-  For students applying to medical school.