Tools for Career Advisors

Helping Students Become Physicists

Statistics indicate that the majority of physics graduates will find permanent employment in the private sector. However many educators and mentors who wish to advise and prepare students for their future careers only have access to a network of academic colleagues, themselves having spent most of their career in an academic field. 

The key to providing students with adequate preparation for a successful future is to broaden their career focus, and make them aware of the wide variety of options available to those with a physics degree. These resources are designed to help educators and mentors do just that.

College & University Faculty

APS Professional Guidebook for Physics Careers
The APS Professional Guidebook for Physics Careers is a one-stop shop for career advice for all early career physicists. Covering topics like career planning and self-assessment, network building, resume and CV writing, interviewing and negotiation, the guide also links to valuable resources throughout the APS Careers website.

APS Webinars
Our webinar series covers a variety of professional development topics for undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and early career physicists. All broadcasts are archived and available for on-demand viewing.

Best Practices for Educating Students about Non-Academic Jobs
A document to help departments reexamine their programs in light of the wide range of possible careers for physics graduates.

Physics Employment Data
The AIP Statistical Research Center publishes a host of reports about trends in physics employment, including typical salaries and skills and knowledge used by recent physics grads in the workforce. For an at-a-glance listing of statistical data from the reports library, visit our employment data page.

Physics Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PIE) Education
The majority of physics graduates at all degree levels will become scientists and innovators working in the private sector, yet very little of the knowledge they gain while earning their degree intentionally prepares them for these roles. APS has joined in on nationwide efforts to promote physics innovation and entrepreneurship (PIE) education.

Speakers Lists and Other Resources

One of the best ways to get information to students about non-academic careers is to invite representatives from those paths to speak in your institution or department.

Industrial and Applied Physics Speakers List
Browse this list of speakers and talks focused on careers in the private sector for your upcoming colloquiums or seminars.

Distinguished Lectureship on the Applications of Physics
The APS Committee on Careers and Professional Development (CCPD) and the Forum on Industrial and Applied Physics (FIAP) have created a distinguished lectureship to honor physicists in industrial and other non-academic careers.  Lectureship award recipients are encouraged to speak at APS Section Meetings and at local institutions about their careers in industrial and non-academic contexts. Institutions interested in inviting the Distinguished Lectureship Award recipient to speak should contact Crystal Bailey (bailey@aps.org).

K-12 Faculty

Information for Students and Guidance Counselors

Often high school students and guidance counselors are unsure about the decision to take Physics in high school. We have generated a number of tools and resources to help make the case for physics among high school students and those who advise them.

Seven Myths about High School Physics Brochure
Use this brochure to spark conversation with counselors and students about
the benefits of a physics training.