Description (podcaster-provided):
It might surprise you, but most physics PhD students eventually end up in careers outside of academia. Some leave before graduating, some leave straight after, while others pursue an academic career for years before making the transition. Yet, despite the numbers, current PhD students often find it hard to envision any career beyond the academic horizon. Why? They're simply not exposed to the countless other exciting opportunities available to them.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Physics PhD career transitions • Non-academic paths • Career advice • Networking insights • Industry experiences • Diverse job roles • Skill application • Personal journeys • Professional development"Physicists in the Wild" is a podcast hosted by Aggie Branczyk that delves into the diverse career paths taken by individuals with a physics background, particularly those with PhDs. Although many physics PhD students traditionally envision a future within academia, this podcast highlights the plethora of opportunities outside of it that often go unrecognized. Each episode features interviews with physicists who have transitioned from academia to varied professional roles across different industries.
The podcast covers a wide array of disciplines, including aerospace, artificial intelligence, venture capital, software development, scientific publishing, data science, and education. Guests share personal narratives of their journeys, illustrating the unique trajectories and decisions that shaped their careers. These stories reveal common themes such as adaptability, networking, and the importance of recognizing one's transferable skills.
Listeners gain insights into the challenges and rewards of leaving academia, as well as practical advice for navigating the job market and managing career shifts. The episodes underscore how a strong foundation in physics can be leveraged in roles outside traditional research settings, often in unexpected and innovative ways. By sharing these diverse experiences, the podcast aims to support current and aspiring physicists in broadening their career horizons and considering non-academic paths as viable and fulfilling options.
Episodes: |
Jay Lowell - AMO Physics PhD to Chief Scientist in Aerospace 2024-Apr-18 16 minutes |
Amir Feizpour - Quantum Optics Postdoc to AI Startup Founder 2024-Mar-14 14 minutes |
Cristina Escoda - String Theory PhD to Venture Capital & Angel Investing 2024-Feb-29 13 minutes |
Brigette Oakes - Experimental Physics PhD to Director of Propulsion 2023-Nov-30 14 minutes |
Riccardo Di Sipio - Particle Physics Postdoc to Senior Machine Learning Developer 2023-Nov-09 14 minutes |
Emily Petroff - Astrophysics postdoc to Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, Grants and Awards 2023-Oct-19 13 minutes |
Bety Rodriguez-Milla - Condensed Matter PhD to Software Development 2023-Oct-05 14 minutes |
Katiuscia Cassemiro - Quantum Optics Prof to PRX Quantum Editor 2023-Sep-21 12 minutes |
Juan Ignacio Cayuso - Cosmology PhD to Data Science 2023-Sep-05 14 minutes |
Ekaterina Babourina-Brooks - Quantum Information PhD to Education 2023-Sep-04 12 minutes |
Rohan Dalton - Quantum Optics PhD to Software, Data & Fin Tech 2023-Sep-04 13 minutes |