|
|
 |
 |
Career Path Forecast
 Physicists
and astronomers should experience average job growth but may face
competition for basic research positions due to limited funding.
However, those with a background in physics or astronomy may have good
opportunities in related occupations.
Employment of physicists and astronomers is expected to grow at 7
percent, about as fast as the average for all occupations during the
2006-16 decade. The need to replace physicists and astronomers who
retire or otherwise leave the occupation permanently will account for
many additional expected job openings.
Federal research expenditures are the major source of physics- and
astronomy-related research funds, especially for basic research.
Although these expenditures are expected to increase over the 2006-16
projection period, resulting in some growth in employment and
opportunities, the limited science research funds available still will
result in competition for basic research jobs among Ph.D. holders.
However, research relating to biotechnology and nanotechnology should
continue to see strong growth.
Although research and development expenditures in private industry will
continue to grow, many research laboratories in private industry are
expected to continue to reduce basic research, which includes much
physics research, in favor of applied or manufacturing research and
product and software development. Nevertheless, people with a physics
background continue to be in demand in information technology,
semiconductor technology, and other applied sciences. This trend is
expected to continue; however, many of the new workers will have job
titles such as computer software engineer, computer programmer, or
systems analyst or developer, rather than physicist.
In recent years the number of doctorates granted in physics has been
somewhat greater than the number of job openings for traditional physics
research positions in colleges and universities and in research centers.
Recent increases in undergraduate physics enrollments may also lead to
growth in enrollments in graduate physics programs, so that there may be
an increase in the number of doctoral degrees granted that could
intensify the competition for basic research positions. However, demand
has grown in other related occupations for those with advanced training
in physics. Prospects should be favorable for physicists in applied
research, development, and related technical fields.
Opportunities should also be numerous for those with a master's degree,
particularly graduates from programs preparing students for related work
in applied research and development, product design, and manufacturing
positions in private industry. Many of these positions, however, will
have titles other than physicist, such as engineer or computer
scientist.
 People
with only a bachelor's degree in physics or astronomy are usually not
qualified for physics or astronomy research jobs, but they may qualify
for a wide range of positions related to engineering, mathematics,
computer science, environmental science, and some nonscience fields,
such as finance. Those who meet State certification requirements can
become high school physics teachers, an occupation in strong demand in
many school districts. Some states require new teachers to obtain a
master's degree in education within a certain time. Despite
competition for traditional physics and astronomy research jobs,
graduates with a physics or astronomy degree at any level will find
their knowledge of science and mathematics useful for entry into many
other occupations.
Despite their small numbers, astronomers can expect good job prospects
in government and academia over the projection period. Since astronomers
are particularly dependent upon government funding, Federal budgetary
decisions will have a sizable influence on job prospects for
astronomers.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
|
|
