Career Prospects for a Physics Graduate

I'd say it's in the title. If i were to graduate with an BSc/MSci degree in Physics in 2012-2013, what can i expect in the way of career prospects? Is Physics a good investment for the future? Are my skills reasonably transferrable should my interests or the economic climate change? Can i expect a reasonable salary?

If you want specifics, it would be from the University of Strathclyde or Glasgow. (Two Unconditionals)

Thanks a lot for any replies,
Ronnie

Reply 1

ChemistBoy

16

Physics is an excellent prospect for the future, we need more physicists. Glasgow and Strathclyde both have excellent physics departments so you'll have a good set of skills and knowledge to back you up. Technical graduates are in ever increasing demand and salaries are quite good to, okay it's not the city but there are many jobs for technical grads with salaries starting at £24k, which is more than the graduate norm.

Reply 2

mon_m6

i am slightly confused, because i love learning physic theories and all that, but then i also love doing practical stuff , u kno like engineering stuff...
so my question is dat, if i do a physics degree, after my graduation, would i stand any chance for a top engineering job (at places like top companies like bmw, mclaren, ford etc) ? or do i hav to hav an engineering degree to be even able to "apply" for those places?
bdw what are the relative starting salaries for physics and engineering (mech) ....

Reply 3

ChemistBoy

16

mon_m6

i am slightly confused, because i love learning physic theories and all that, but then i also love doing practical stuff , u kno like engineering stuff...
so my question is dat, if i do a physics degree, after my graduation, would i stand any chance for a top engineering job (at places like top companies like bmw, mclaren, ford etc) ? or do i hav to hav an engineering degree to be even able to "apply" for those places?
bdw what are the relative starting salaries for physics and engineering (mech) ....

I see adverts plastered round the physics department here in nottingham asking for physicists to become engineers. However, if your passion his high-end motorsports engineering then do a degree in engineering.

Reply 4

prodriven

mon_m6

i am slightly confused, because i love learning physic theories and all that, but then i also love doing practical stuff , u kno like engineering stuff...
so my question is dat, if i do a physics degree, after my graduation, would i stand any chance for a top engineering job (at places like top companies like bmw, mclaren, ford etc) ? or do i hav to hav an engineering degree to be even able to "apply" for those places?
bdw what are the relative starting salaries for physics and engineering (mech) ....

From my experiance of the industry, F1 and oem automotive wont want to touch a physics grad. You need a very applied knowledge of auto sub systems/technical designs and drawing/hands on problem solving. These arent offered in enough detail or the right context in physics degrees, you will need to do auto engineering or motorsport (although motorsport is very similar to auto but perhaps slightly too specialised in application).

Starting salary for a grad with a '1st' degree within an F1 team (i.e. mclaren) is ~ £28k dependant on experience. Earning potential is very good, after you finish the grad programme and have 2/3 years experience you'll be able to walk into any F1 team as a contractor and easily get £30+/hour depending upon your speciality. The nature of the industry requires long working hours, 50-60hr weeks are the norm and at certain times you will need to be prepared to put in even longer hours. But the rewards are well worth it (feeling of contributing toa race win, oh and the point bonus of £50 per point can help).

To give you an idea of the automotive side of the industry. With a 2:1 in auto engineering and medium level of work experiance (industrial placement, formula student etc) then you'll be able to go into somewhere like Ford working on engine calibration/testing on £16/hr doing 40hr weeks - works out about £32k/year which for a graduate is bloody good. And with experiance the hourly rate can go up to £30 and beyond when you get into project management.

At the moment there is a massive shortage of decent, young auto engineer. People always seem to end up going down the civil/mechanical route which means they dont learn alot of the vital auto subjects such as control systems (fuel/spark/emissions etc). And with all the new emissions laws coming in there is a massive amount of work around at the moment.

Reply 5

Ronnie01

OP

Just as a follow up to my previous question, when looking for a job after a Physics degree, what type of Extra-curricular activities are most beneficial for some of the more physics-related jobs?

Medical Physics greatly appeals to me, how competitive is entry to that area?

How easy is it for Physics graduates to pitch themselves to banks and other finance related jobs?

I greatly enjoy maths, but admittedly was a bit weak in it at school (only a C at Higher) but this was due to sitting next to a very talkative - and funny - friend, and i'm looking forward to the maths content at Uni, how hard is the transition, maths-wise? Is there anything i can do to prepare for when i start in September?

Reply 6

vaseand

11

Ronnie01

How easy is it for Physics graduates to pitch themselves to banks and other finance related jobs?

Very easy. Physics is a valuable degree for a career in finance.

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