Employment Opportunities More than 40,000 physicists work in industry, educational institutions, government, and medical centers today. Most are active scientists and engineers, engaged in research, development, administration, and teaching. Others use their physics background in fields such as publishing, sales, law, accounting, and medicine. Two thirds of all physicists tend to work in basic or applied research and development that is supported by privately financed, governmental, or non-profit research centers.
Basic research aims to increase the knowledge about the universe.
Applied research uses basic knowledge to solve human problems such as food and energy supply, environmental protection, transportation, communication and defense. Other opportunities for employment exist in teaching, consulting, environmental research, biophysics, computer science, nuclear physics, geophysics, medical physics, astrophysics, meteorology, and any industry utilizing technology. The skills you learn in physics are useful in many careers. Our graduates have gone into geology, geophysics, medical physics, environmental studies, aerospace engineering, electronics and astronomy. Still others have used their physics skills in management and business.