By the time people earn physics PhDs, they have learned a great deal about physics and how research is conducted. However, physics PhDs also develop skills and knowledge in a number of related areas, such as advanced mathematics, programming, modeling, and technical writing. New physics PhDs draw upon an arsenal of skills and knowledge in their early careers. This "Focus On" in the series about new physics doctorates begins with a discussion about the types of skills and knowledge that physics PhDs from the classes of 2009 and 2010 used regularly in the jobs they held one year after earning their degrees. A summary of qualitative job satisfaction measures follows.
Authors
- Authorizing Institution
- American Institute of Physics, Statistical Research Center
- Education Level
- ['Higher Education', 'Postsecondary Education']
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- Reports - Evaluative
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- Data from the degree recipient follow-up survey for the classes of 2009 and 2010 1
- R E P O R T S O N D O C T O R A T E S 1
- Compared to new postdocs a larger proportion of new 1
- Interpersonal and Management Skills Regularly Used by New 1
- Physics PhDs Classes of 2009 2010 Combined 1
- Figure 1 1
- Page 2 focus on Physics Doctorates Skills Used Satisfaction with Employment 2
- Figure 2 2
- Programming 2
- Scientific and Technical Knowledge Regularly Used by New Physics 2
- PhDs Classes of 2009 2010 Combined 2
- Page 4 focus on Physics Doctorates Skills Used Satisfaction with Employment 4
- Table 1 4
- Most new physics PhDs had a positive attitude about their job. However postdocs tended to be more positive than PhDs in potentially permanent positions. 4
- Qualitative Aspects of Initial Employment for 4
- Physics PhDs Classes of 2009 2010 Combined 4
- Table 2 5
- Three-quarters of PhDs 5
- 90 of those in government and 5
- Qualitative Aspects of Initial Potentially Permanent Employment for 5
- Physics PhDs Classes of 2009 2010 Combined 5
- Page 6 focus on Physics Doctorates Skills Used Satisfaction with Employment 6
- New physics PhDs felt that their postdoctoral experiences were valuable bridges between their education and their future careers. 6
- Opinions about the Postdoc Experience PhD Classes of 2009 2010 Combined 6
- Table 3 6
- Most new physics 7
- PhDs found their 7
- Was Your Advisor Helpful in Your Career Planning 7
- PhD Classes of 2009 2010 Combined 7
- Figure 3 7
- Page 8 focus on Physics Doctorates Skills Used Satisfaction with Employment 8
- Survey Methodology 8
