Looking for a job.

[T-Bag]

Right as some of you already know I'm a student. I'm in my 4th (Final) year of a masters course in Physics (Mphys) at Swansea. I'm looking at getting a 2:1, or a first if I can manage to average 85% this year.

Anyway, there was a careers fair at my university the other week and I went along to get some details of where to apply and so on. Only most of the companies there were looking for the physicits less educated kin, the engineer.
There were very few jobs there for people with the qualification I'm on. Many offered kindly to let me go back to university and study another masters in engineering. (Which if I'm getting paid for is pretty cool, but seems a bit of a waste).
Does anyone know of jobs that are looking for people like me so I have a rough idea where to start looking.

In my course I enjoyed Atomic physics, laser physics (more experimental modules) and disliked statistical and other more theoretical types. I'll look into anything that'll take me though.

[Penfold]

Not really the best time to get into the job market imho. If someone's offering to pay you to do a masters then I'd bite their hand off. It also guarantees you're going to graduate and walk straight into a job.

PEN

[suicidal_monkey]

couple of the guys where I work came from Physics degree backgrounds. Bit far from Swansea though. Know of a couple of people nearer Bristol, generally in the "engineering" arena - Any idea of the sort of industry / position you might be after? Guess you aren't keen on staying in the Uni scene? I know the bigger companies hold recruitment days from near now for starting next Sept so should get applying sooner rather than later!

[Anonymous]

Not really the best time to get into the job market imho. If someone's offering to pay you to do a masters then I'd bite their hand off. It also guarantees you're going to graduate and walk straight into a job.

PEN

:withstupid:

[delanvital]

:withstupid:

I completed my MSc in a mix of economics and management a couple of months ago. I have been sporadically job hunting for the last year or so. Now i am doing it all day long, and have to say, the market has indeed changed.

Apart from that I am with BB.

[Dr Sadako]

It all depends on if you would consider moving? I have seen positions in both Denmark and Sweden in your area of interest.

[Blunt]

most of the companies there were looking for the physicits less educated kin, the engineer.

Well, my son is 4 years into a 5 year masters in engineering, so I'm fairly cheered by your post:)

I'm sure he'd have some witty retort to the "less educated" bit, because he's at Bristol and you're at....Swansea

[T-Bag]

When I joined the course Swansea was 5th in the country for physics (I got offers at Bristol though just in case) It's also still a world leader in Anti-Hydrogen research and having strong ties to CERN and the LHC.
I'm not trying to be rude about engineers but people have come from my course (the BSc version) into an engineering masters course with a 2:2 and not had a struggle to keep up. I've not experienced it myself though I'm just repeating what my lecturers etc have been saying, and there seems to be rivalry between the fields.

Anyway, back on topic. I'm open to moving around for a job providing the money makes it worth while. Since back home is in Cornwall I'm quite used to driving past Bristol on my way to uni, it's not that far. I mean Denmark and Sweden are a little further a field, but not speaking the language might be a bit of a barrier. I don't know, I was just after a range of jobs that'll take me so I feel more reassured my degree is worth something rather than figuring out exactly what I want to apply for. I don't think I'm organised enough to be planning that this soon.
I could always go into banking or something else that makes minimal use of problem solving and mathematical skills I've picked up, but that seems a waste of everything I've been learning, especially my final project based on positron plasmas etc.

[delanvital]

I mean Denmark and Sweden are a little further a field, but not speaking the language might be a bit of a barrier. I don't know, I was just after a range of jobs that'll take me so I feel more reassured my degree is worth something rather than figuring out exactly what I want to apply for. I don't think I'm organised enough to be planning that this soon.
I could always go into banking or something else that makes minimal use of problem solving and mathematical skills I've picked up, but that seems a waste of everything I've been learning, especially my final project based on positron plasmas etc.

Most Danes and Swedes speak good English and actually enjoy a chance to speak it. So let not that hold you back. In several Danish work environments in the larger firms, the company language is English. Finally, you can also find a branch of an English firm, situated in Denmark.
 
Your math skills would require some further specialisation if you want to work in banking, and that industry is laying of a lot atm (I have a Danish friend working in banking in London and entire departments are getting nervous) so I would aim at another industry atm.

[Luminance]

well personally i think the engineering side is more appealing, and as you said, there's a bigger market for you. And if they are making an offer like that to you, then I would think twice before saying no. If they offer you the study, they wil deffo offer you a job after

After you gradutated engineers side too, you have a major advantage over "normal" engineers

[Hektor]

hi everyone,
very nice that you almost finished your study t-bag! :thumb:
however, its strange that its that hard to find a job with your qualification.- in germany, people who studied physics are desperately wanted by the economy. here in hurghada, the german consul is a dipl. physician, but i think this is an exeption and not the usual career.

if i understood you right, youre overqualified, right? - well, youll have a master graduation, so if you dont want to earn another master graduation in engineering, you can also earn the doctor degree.
im honest, i dont know much about the career of a physician, and what is the best to do, but ill give you an advice anyway

i just think that when you become a doctor, it will give you many new opportunities.
for example, you said you like the experimental parts of physics, so as a doctor, you are an expert in your subject, so you can work in a research facility and make experimentations the hole day...
(...maybe i have the wrong conception about the work of a researching scientist, - i just thought about gordon freeman :lmfao:)


whatever you do t-bag, good luck and have fun!

PS: when you decide to proceed, im sure bb can change your name, just like sadako...

PPS: maybe moving to germany, or another country would be a good idea.