UMBC major sheet for Physics
What Can I Do With My Major?
Learn more about career options in your field by clicking below to learn about different focus areas, typical employers, and strategies to get started. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for links to Professional Associations, industry job search tools, and resources for additional insight.
Professional Associations
American Institute of Physics
American Association of Physics Teachers
American Physical Society
The Institute of Physics
The American Center for Physics
Society of Physics Students
National Academies
Additional Research Tools
Explore typical job titles for your major and use them for further career research on Vault and O*Net. Visit the website for related professional associations for industry information and professional development. Browsing through job postings while you are still making a career decision can provide insight into the industry and taking note of the required qualifications lets you know what skills and experiences to seek out during your time at UMBC.
Internships/Research/Co-ops
Department Liaison for Internships & Employment: Adam Morris
Gaining real-world experience through internships, research, or a co-op experience is one of the best ways to make yourself a competitive candidate for full-time jobs and graduate school after graduation. Learn more about how to get started, finding opportunities, and the application process on our website.
The Internship Success Practicum is a free, zero-credit, pass/fail course for students participating in an applied learning experience. You will receive professional development to help you excel at your site as well as a transcript notation and possible academic credit.
Sample Internship/Research/Co-op Sites for Physics:
- NASA Goddard
- United States Department of Energy
- JHU Applied Physics Lab
- Leidos, Inc.
- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The Office of Undergraduate Research can help you find opportunities to conduct research in your industry, both on campus and at local organizations.
Career Resources
Career Cornerstone Center
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physicists & Astronomers
Society of Physics Students – Career Resources
Bright Recruits Job Search for Physics and Engineering
Space Jobs
Biophysical Society: Job Board
The Scientist Careers
Scientists in Public Relations: Resources for Starting a Career
Intelligence Careers
Earth and Space Institute
Learn from Alumni
Join Retrievers Connect, an online networking platform just for the UMBC community, to search for alumni by major, industry, location, and more. Get advice and insight from those who have been in your shoes. Participate in groups and discussions to gain insight into industry trends. Learn about job and internship options.
You can also explore profiles of UMBC students and alumni on LinkedIn.
On-Campus Organizations
- Society of Physics Students (SPS) / Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ)
Service Learning and Volunteering
The Shriver Center provides opportunities to address social challenges through applied learning. These applied learning experiences can boost your resume and help you build marketable skills. These introductory opportunities are great for freshman and sophomores and can help confirm career choice.
Additional Employers and Jobs by Major
Employers in Maryland by Industry/Major (BuzzFile)
Employers in the United States by Industry/Major (BuzzFile)
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