Promotion of Careers in Physics

1. Promotion of Careers in Physics Bill Zealey Learning Outcomes andCurriculumDevelopment inPhysics Project Leaders David Mills (Monash), Manjula Sharma ( Sydney) Project Officer Alberto Mendez ( Sydney)

2. AUTC Paper Recommendations Recommendation 4.1: That physics departments and the AIP seek to identify and utilize effective methods to ensure thatgraduates are highly competent in the key generic skills. Recommendation 4.2: That physics departments and the AIP together with industry develop resources to help informstudents of physics and future careers. Recommendation 4.3: That physics departments consult with, and take advice from industry and employers in developingtheir curriculum.

3. What is a Physicist?

4. Where Do Our Graduates Go True or False We train undergraduates to enter industry A background in Physics is of great importance to Industry Students enrol in a physics degree to gain employment in Industry FALSE 57% of physics bachelors going into further full timestudy FALSE key skill is problem solving We actively recruit students with a view to entering research

5. What Careers do our Graduates Seek? 57% of Physics graduates go into full timestudy. Personal Case 1: 1: ASA Meeting 2005 ASA Decadal Review stressed training of Honours and postgraduate students in skills of use to industry. Students present were very vocal on the fact that they wished to enter a research career. Questions: At what stage do students actively seek positions outside research? Should we encourage them to consider careers in industry?

6. Industry Sector • graduates are unlikely to identify themselves as physicists in the workplace • substantial fractionwith double degrees may further blur their identity asphysicists

7. Industry Sector McInnis C, Hartley R and Anderson M, What Did You Do With Your Science Degree?, OccasionalPaper for the Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS), December (2000)

8. What skills are Important? Departments’ views

9. What skills are ImportantEmployers views Czujko R, The Physics Bachelors as a Passport to the Workplace: Recent Research Results,

10. Students view

11. A Changing Market for Physics Graduates? • Changes in the past 20 years: • Student educational backgrounds have changed • Student expectations have changed • Students personal situations have changed • In response to declining numbers • We have introduced new technology oriented degrees • We have become more context oriented in early years • We continue to retain our standards through AIP accreditation What major growth areas need Physicists over the next 15 years?

12. Recommendations 4.2 and 4.3 That physics departments and the AIP together with industrydevelop resources to help informstudents of physics and future careers. That physics departments consult with, and take advice from industry and employers in developingtheir curriculum. • AIP and Schools of Physics work with NSW industries to identify industry needs and develop new undergraduate and postgraduate programs e.g. ACPSEM Medical Physics • Schools of Physics work closely with professional associations Develop and accredit degree programs Invite association representatives to deliver ethics/business management etc topics • Schools of Physics work more closely with Careers Services • More placements in Summer Vacation programs in industry Currently ANU, U Sydney, CSIRO, AAO etc.

13. Recommendations 4.2 and 4.3 AIP and Schools of Physics more actively promote: • Industry Day • A Year out in Industry e.g. ANSTO • Annual workshop for undergraduates/ postgraduates in parallel with AIP Congress Schools of Physics actively promote: • Conjoint positions with industry/ government • Use of guest lecturers integrated into degree lecture programs • Interaction with IT, Engineering and Health and Behavioural Science Faculties in meeting demand for physics trained specialists in other disciplines. • School Advisory Committees which include alumni and CEOs of relevant industries

14. Towards 2020