Recruitment & Job Placement

1. Recruitment & Job Placement

2. Recruitment a Necessity • Look at who is taking physics in the typical high school course: • mostly males • mostly white • mostly higher socioeconomic status students • mostly college bound students • We are disenfranchising: • females • minorities • the poor • “terminal” students • The disenfranchised (77%) miss out on physics altogether.

3. Physics is useful for everyone. • Good for achieving general scientific literacy. • Good for creating a knowledge base of physical phenomena. • Useful in all areas of life -- from the kitchen, to the shop, to the work place. • (We’re back at the “Why study physics?” stage.)

4. Ideas for Physics Recruitment • Best form of recruitment is word of mouth. • Perform class activities in the public arena. • Promote a qualitative view of physics. • Advertising and good advising can be effective also. • Avoid the lock-step sequence of biology, chemistry, physics. • Promote in physical science courses. • Promote to elementary school kids with a “Physics Road Show.” • Promote through open house or association with JETS, science club, and competitions.

5. Who Needs Physics? (in the work place) • Electricians • Opticians • Machinists • Mechanics • Police Officers • Accident scene investigators • Nurses & Doctors • Medical Technicians • Teachers • Plumbers