This set of tools guides physics students through an exploration of career options and helps prepare them for success in the job search. Many of the tools can also be used to find internships, research positions, or even gain entrance into graduate programs. Created by the American Institute of Physics and the Society of Physics Students.

Whether you're a high school student considering a physics major, in the process of earning a physics Bachelors, or nearing graduation and weighing the benefits of graduate school versus joining the workforce, the Society of Physics Students (SPS) can help! Discover an array of free resources designed to assist you in making an informed decision regarding the next step in your career.

Career-Related Articles

Read the latest articles in Physics Today's Careers and Education section.

Don’t miss Physics Today’s Annual Careers Issue: 2022, 2021 and 2020 editions.

Career Development Videos

Professional societies and you - Take advantage of the member benefits and also volunteer for leadership positions, joining a society can help advance your career.

Stepping off the tenure track - Pursuing a professorship doesn't have to be the default career choice. Learn how to decide if staying in academia is right for you.

When (and when not) to volunteer at work - Evaluate extracurricular opportunities and make an informed decision about whether to accept or not.

A Whole New World: Preparing for Life After Academia - Evaluate your personal values, skills, abilities, and knowledge to understand what sort of career will fulfill you professionally.

If You Lead, Will They Follow? Leadership Skills: A Critical Tool for Career Success - Learn about various aspects of leadership, how they affect your career, and how to develop your own leadership skills.

Virtual Networking Webinar - Reveal your ability to network virtually amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Going Virtual: The Interview and Job Talk - Dive into leveraging virtual platforms to execute an interviewing plan that will help you land that dream job.

Career Planning in a Crisis: How to Move Your Career Forward - Learn how to build and execute a strong, customized crisis management plan for your career.

GradSchoolShopper

GradSchoolShopper (GSS) is the only online directory dedicated to graduate programs in the physical sciences. As a product of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and an official partner to Physics Today and the Society of Physics Students, it is created BY physicists for FUTURE physicists, no matter the specialty area. GSS features several hundred graduate programs. After their own professors and program sites, GradSchoolShopper is where students come to find their future. In addition, an annual print and digital magazine of guidance and advice is issued alongside Physics Today magazine’s September issue. Read the latest issue here.

Review essential reports compiled by the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center about employment trends in physics and astronomy. In-depth analysis about Bachelor's, Master's, and PhDs including data on sectors and fields of employment, starting salaries, skills used, and more.

Resources designed to help researchers navigate key topics related to publishing and peer review, openness and reproducibility of science, and gaining visibility for your research. Advance your research and your career with AIP Publishing Academy.

Read detailed information about some of the most exciting available career paths in the science and engineering fields. Check out over 30 different subject profiles alongside job listings for each!

The Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) created this tool by surveying almost 1,700 faculty members in degree-granting physics departments and those teaching physics in two-year colleges in the United States. Enter specific institutional, position, and individual characteristics to see a salary range personalized to your criteria.

Does your passion lie in the intersection of science and government? The American Institute of Physics (AIP) maintains a robust fellowship program, with opportunities available at the U.S. Department of State or the United States Congress. Some fellowships are also linked to AIP Member Societies like AMS, APS, and OSA; click thru for complete details and to apply!

Put your best self forward using proven document templates designed to make you stand-out to potential scientific employers.

Are you interested in the latest federal policy news as it pertains to the physical sciences? Check out FYI, a free resource to keep STEM professionals informed about the latest happenings on the Hill, including budget and bill trackers and content on a variety of key topics including how upcoming policy changes can impact employment and education.

The American Institute of Physics History Programs offer physicists and physics-enthusiasts alike a unique glimpse into the exciting timeline of the discipline. Learn about the nature and origin of developments in modern physics and their impact on society from The Center for History of Physics, or access over 30,000 photographs, over 1,000 oral history interviews, and much more available in the Niels Bohr Library & Archives.

Access additional careers-related tools from the American Institute of Physics, including graduate school planning, employment data and statistics, and information for current undergraduate and graduate students.

The AIP National Task Force to Elevate African American Representation in Undergraduate Physics & Astronomy (TEAM-UP) spent two years investigating the reasons for the persistent underrepresentation of African Americans in physics and astronomy and produced a report with its findings.