Physics - University of Canterbury
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What can I do with a degree in
Physics?
Physics.
Career planning: getting involved in clubs, mentoring, cultural What is Physics?
what do I need to know?
groups, part-time work or volunteering
• Be open to professional and personal What type of student might consider a Physics
development opportunities. Whether it degree? As a child, famous UC alumnus Ernest
Knowledge of yourself is important for career
is undertaking an internship, overseas Rutherford was intrigued by seeing a stick
decision making. Start by looking at your personal
exchange, skills seminar, or joining an industry apparently bend when dipped into a farm bucket
goals, abilities, values and interests to explore
group — these activities will enhance your of water; Albert Einstein asked how his face
study and career options that are relevant to you.
employability. would appear in a hand-held mirror if he ran at
Some of these may change over time, so it is
some significant fraction of the speed of light.
important to self-reflect and evaluate your career
What else should I know? A budding physicist may share this fascination
on an ongoing basis.
The career options in this brochure are examples with and curiosity about the natural world.
What do employers look for? only and the list is not exhaustive. Some careers Physics aims to understand the behaviour of
Many employers look for generic skills such may require further study beyond a first degree matter and energy from the scale of subatomic
as communication, customer-focus, cultural or additional work experience. Some pathways particles to that of the Universe itself. From
awareness and teamwork. With technology and and degrees have a recommended school computers to communication systems,
globalisation changing the nature of society, background. Find more subject details at architecture to agriculture; modern life is
skills such as resilience, problem solving and www.canterbury.ac.nz/subjects/phys overwhelmingly built using the understanding
adaptability are valuable at work as well as in life. If this brochure does not answer your questions, of nature that physics provides. Modern physics
talking to an expert such as a career consultant provides a framework for understanding – and
How can I develop these skills? contributing to – major advances in technology
can help you to identify the next steps in your
• Some skills are developed through your degree career decision making journey. now and in the future.
• Extra-curricular activities can help, for example www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
CAREERS | Te Rōpū Rapuara
AT A GLANCE What skills have UC Where have UC graduates
graduates gained? been employed?
medical Through their Physics degree, graduates gain a Many Physics graduates are employed at:
physicists valuable set of transferable skills that includes: • Crown Research Institutes
MORE are needed in • Problem solving • The National Radiation Laboratory
Aotearoa New • Ability to communicate orally and in writing • Hospitals and District Health Boards
Zealand^ • Mathematical and computer skills • Universities
• Capacity to think creatively, logically and • Meteorological Service.
quantitatively
of UC Physics Some are not employed as specific scientists —
• Cooperation, teamwork and leadership their Physics skills are valued in industries such as:
graduates
43%
• Innovation and imagination • IT, computer and electronics
conducted
a research • Planning and organisation skills. • Banking and finance
placement during Applied learning opportunities are available such • The armed services and police
their studies* as laboratory sessions, fieldtrips and internships.
These experiences deepen your skillset, awareness • Aerospace and aeronautics (including airlines)
of others, working knowledge and employability. • School teaching
• Geotechnical
scholarships
• Telecommunications
of course fees
• Agribusiness
$10-30k+
plus $10–30,000
available for high • Energy
school science • Journalism and publishing.
teacher trainees# Some recent UC alumni have done postgraduate
study or postdoctoral research at universities
around the world including China, Germany,
^ Immigration New Zealand’s 2017 long-term skill shortage Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the USA.
list www.skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz
* 2013 and 2015 Graduate Destinations Surveys combined For examples of UC graduate employers go to
#
2018 TeachNZ scholarships www.canterbury.ac.nz/recruitingemployers
www.teachnz.govt.nz/scholarshipsWhat jobs and activities • Maintains and upgrades programs and systems
What professional bodies
do UC graduates do? can people link to?
• May develop and integrate technical aspects of
websites/mobile apps along with other workers
Graduates with this degree are employed in a Secondary school teacher As they progress, students and graduates often
range of jobs — see some examples below. join professional bodies relevant to their area of
• Plans and delivers instructional lessons interest. These organisations can provide regular
Note: Some of the jobs listed may require
postgraduate study. See the ‘Further study’ section. • Evaluates performance and provides feedback communications and offer the chance to network.
• Sets and marks assignments and tests • New Zealand Institute of Physics
Field / laboratory technician www.nzip.org.nz
• Plans and carries out research experiments Patent advisor
• Royal Society of New Zealand
• Maintains and calibrates equipment • Researches technical or scientific documents, to www.royalsociety.org.nz
assess if a product is new and innovative
• Liaises with scientists and industry personnel • Institute of Physics
• Maintains knowledge of laws and regulations www.iop.org
• Collects and collates data, and drafts reports
• Advises businesses, government and industry • Science Communicators Association of
Research scientist, postdoctoral researcher New Zealand www.scanz.co.nz
Meteorologist
• Organises and conducts research Social media networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook
• Monitors weather systems and atmospheric
• Tests theories and operates instruments patterns and Twitter can provide avenues to keep up with
• Analyses data and scientific phenomena to the latest industry knowledge, events and jobs.
• Analyses data and uses forecasting models to
develop explanatory theories predict weather conditions and climate trends
• Writes reports and publishes articles • Prepares weather maps, forecasts and alerts Why do further study and
• Consults with and advises industry • Designs tests to measure air quality, ozone etc what are my options?
Medical physics registrar Librarian, library assistant Postgraduate study can facilitate career benefits
• Operates and improves diagnostic and such as specialist skills, entry into a specific
• Categorises and catalogues library materials
therapeutic equipment occupation, higher starting salary, and advanced
• Selects materials for library use research capability. It is important to determine
• Uses knowledge and skills to help prevent,
which, if any, further study will help you.
diagnose and treat different diseases/conditions • Helps customers find and use materials
Physics graduates can progress into a number of
• Ensures radiology, nuclear medicine and Entrepreneur and CEO
programmes from honours to master’s and PhD
radiation treatments are safe and effective • Develops an idea to form their own business level. These degrees provide advanced research
Telecommunications / software engineer • Gets involved in a start-up and writing skills. Advanced study can lead to an
academic career in teaching and research.
• Analyses customer needs, evaluates computer • Offers their services as a consultant
software and researches new technologies Qualifications in Medical Physics are offered at UC
Get started at www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers/
— a postgraduate diploma, honours, master’s and
• Develops software programs for new products Entrepreneurship/getting_started.shtml
PhD. The extensive range reflects the demand for
• Manages software development projects skilled graduates.
Programmer, software developer UC Careerhub UC also has a range of conversion degrees eg, in
UC students and alumni can find details of Teaching and Learning, Journalism, Applied Data
• Determines specifications and writes code
internships, job vacancies and employability Science, and Business Management. For listings
• Builds prototypes of software programs visit www.canterbury.ac.nz/courses
tips at www.careerhub.canterbury.ac.nz
• Tests and fixes computer programs and systems
Useful links
UC Careers, Internships & Employment
www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
Careers New Zealand
www.careers.govt.nz
Association for Women in the Sciences NZ
www.awis.org.nz
Crown Research Institute careers
www.careers.sciencenewzealand.org
Future in Tech
www.futureintech.org.nzWills Dobson Why Physics? What are the highlights of your
I have always had a fascination with space and
career with NIWA to date?
wanted to know more about our solar system My job has taken me back down to Antarctica
and beyond. I wanted to know more about how twice in order to perform upgrades and
the world works. maintenance to the instruments down there.
In 2016, I also visited the National Oceanic and
Why did you choose UC? Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research
facility located in Boulder, Colorado, and the
UC has great connections with Antarctica so if
NASA Goddard space centre in Washington DC
you want to go down there, going through UC is
for some training.
one of the best ways. The Physics department is
fantastic and provides great support to anyone
regardless of whether you are struggling in your
What tips would you give to
studies, or just have a great idea you would like Physics students?
some backing for. Physics is hard but interesting. Don’t be afraid to
ask for help. Chances are if you don’t understand,
Any highlights of your time? over half the class will be in the same situation
I would highly recommend the Postgraduate as you.
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Certificate in Antarctic Studies to anyone
with even a small desire to experience and
Studies
Atmospheric Technician, National understand the frozen continent. The pinnacle of Read more online
Institute of Water and Atmospheric this course was the trip to Antarctica, of which
Read Wills’ full story about his university
Research, Lauder one week is spent camping out on the Ross Ice
experience on our profiles website. UC
Shelf. This was one of the best experiences of
alumni like Wills make a difference in varied
my life.
ways around the globe. Find out where
Physics graduates are now at
Can you tell us a little about your
www.canterbury.ac.nz/profiles
current job?
I am heavily involved in the ozone and climate The information in this brochure was correct at the time
research programs at Lauder. Chiefly, my job is of print but is subject to change.
to launch weekly balloon-borne ozonesondes,
operate the high-powered ozone LIDAR, and
work on the grandfather of ozone instruments,
the Dobson spectrophotometer.
More information
UC students seeking study advice. Anyone seeking careers advice. Prospective students seeking study advice.
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Careers, Internships & Employment Student Liaison
Te Kura Matū Te Rōpū Rapuara Te Rōpū Takawaenga
The school has a large staff and offers two CIE offers intending and current students and Student Liaison provides intending students
programmes that are unique within Aotearoa recent graduates a wide range of services, with information about the university system in
New Zealand: a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy including individual career guidance, seminars, general and the courses, qualifications, support
and a variety of postgraduate qualifications in career resources and student and graduate and facilities available at UC.
Medical Physics. employment opportunities. Ōtautahi | Christchurch
Our teaching and research areas are diverse T: +64 3 364 3310 T: 0800 VARSITY (0800 827 748)
and we boast many international links, offering E: careers@canterbury.ac.nz E: liaison@canterbury.ac.nz
research students, in particular, an extensive www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers Tāmaki-makaurau | Auckland
network and career opportunities. T: 0800 UCAUCK
UCCareersEmployment
T: +64 3 364 2523 E: auckland@canterbury.ac.nz
E: hod-secretary@canterbury.ac.nz Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington
www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz T: 0800 VARSITY (0800 827 748) ext 93231
E: wellington@canterbury.ac.nz
www.canterbury.ac.nz/liaison
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