Physics Doctorates: Skills Used and Satisfaction with Employment. Data from the Degree Recipient Follow-Up Survey for the Classes of 2015 and 2016. Focus On

By the time physics students receive their PhDs, they have a broad understanding of many areas of physics and in-depth knowledge in a specific subfield. They have developed a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, modeling, and programming. Graduate students in physics also develop skills in areas not specifically related to physics and not explicitly associated with research. These include how to work on a team, manage projects, and technical writing. This Focus On looks at the knowledge and skills used by new physics PhDs in the first positions they held after receiving their degrees. It also looks at how new PhDs perceive the subjective aspects of their first post-degree position.