Physicist

You study the fundamental laws of the universe, which sounds incredibly cool until you explain your research at Thanksgiving and everyone changes the subject. You'll derive equations, run simulations, and write papers that advance human knowledge in ways that won't be practical for another 50 years. The work is mentally exhausting and the funding is always uncertain.

Learn the skills

Courses and certifications to get you job-ready

What you'll actually do

• 01Derive equations on whiteboards and argue with colleagues about whether the math checks out
• 02Write simulation code that runs for days and produces results you need weeks to interpret
• 03Apply for research grants that fund your work for the next 3 years — if you win, which is a big if
• 04Present at conferences where the audience of 15 asks questions harder than the research itself
• 05Teach undergraduate physics to students who are only there because it's required
• 06Explain your research to non-physicists and watch them nod politely while understanding nothing