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Where a physics degree can take you

Physics and the theories that underlie it are so integral to the modern world, it’s hard to even think of major advancements of the last century that don’t involve physics. From laser, television, radio, and computers, to newer areas of nanotechnology, nuclear energy and medical instrumentation, it all comes down to physics.

It’s difficult to accurately describe the diversity of careers that exist for students of physics, but we can say this much—the skills you will learn studying physics will open doors in all directions. The basis in problem-solving, analysis, and the communication of complex ideas, combined with a solid grasp of “how the world works” are career skills that transfer beyond measure.

What kind of careers?

Typical job fields

  • Engineering
  • Theoretical physics
  • Material science
  • Electronics
  • Computer programming
  • Medical physics
  • Astrophysics
  • Geophysics
  • Aviation

Example job titles

  • Physicist
  • Engineer
  • Teacher
  • Instructor or professor
  • Software developer
  • Consultant
  • Manufacturing technician
  • Project manager
  • Research scientist

Grad study options

  • Physics
  • Mechanical or civil engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical engineering
  • Education
  • Business administration MBA
  • Law school
  • Aeronautics
  • Biochemistry
3M alumnus

The physics and astronomy department was instrumental in my development and helped to prepare me for what I would experience in my future career. I walked away with many friendships — not only classmates but many of the professors and other staff. I am grateful for the time I spent at UWEC.

Gregory McGill Physics

Where are Blugold physics grads currently working?

We keep track of all of our graduates and the marvelous work they are out doing. Click on the button below to see the most recent sampling of the incredible companies and agencies employing our physics alumni. Prepare to be impressed! 

Physics and astronomy alumni employer/occupation list

Agilent Technologies, engineer
Alfred Wagener Institute, Federal Republic of Germany, research
Alliant Techsystems Inc., engineer
American Family Mutual Insurance, actuary
AMOCO Foam Products, marketing services
Analysts International Corp., programmer analyst
AT&T Bell Labs, technical manager, research and development
CEIT System, software manager
Central Life Assurance, computer assurance design
CESA-10; Science, Technology and Resource center
China Mobile, assistant planning consultant
Chippewa Valley Technical College, instructor
City of Kenosha, Civil Engineer
City of Marshfield, data processing manager
Coherent General, laser service engineer
College of Siskiyous, math instructor
Colorado State University, vice president, administration
Commercial Testing Laboratory, quality control/lab safety manager
Computer Sciences Corp., programmer/analyst, spacecraft control
Consolidated Papers Inc., operations research
Cooper Engineering, systems analyst
Cray Research, multiple positions
Cummins Fuel Systems, controls engineer
CUNA Mutual Insurance Group, product manager
Dairyland Power Cooperative, manager, transmission security
Defense Mapping Agency, cartographer
Delco Electronics, Aerospace engineer
Displaytech Inc., research assistant, opto-electronics
Distek, testing engineer/LabVIEW engineer
Dow Chemical, senior polymer research chemist/physicist
Dupont Corp., research engineer
EBSCO Publishing, CSI science editor
EG&G Inc., research physicist
Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic controller
Financial planner, self employed
Focus Software, project engineer
GECO Geophysical Co., exploration geophysicist
General Electric, multiple positions
Generant, staff engineer
GeoQuest Systems Inc., assistant manager customer support
Harris/3M, instructional developer
Heritage Mutual Insurance, director, data processing
Honeywell, design engineer
IBM, multiple positions
International Totalizators System Inc., director, project management
Jacobs Engineering, control systems engineer
JAMF Software, account manager
Johnson City Medical Center, radiologist
Jones Day, Patent Lawyer
Kansas State University, psychology professor
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, engineer, chemical sciences
Lockheed Space Operations, associate engineer
Louisiana Arts and Science Center, planetarium curator
Loyola University, assistant professor/physicist

Madison Public Schools, coordinator, building service systems
Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Schools, science supervisor
Mason Shoe Co., vice president of manufacturing
Mayo Clinic, multiple locations and positions 
McLaughlin Body Co., vice president, sales and marketing
MECC, test specialist
Medtronic, multiple positions 
Menard Inc., assistant data processing manager
Mercy Medical Center, pathologist
Mitre Corp., systems analyst/engineer
NASA, flight simulation engineer
NASA, Johnson Space Flight Center, research scientist
Naval Research Labs, research scientist
Naval Surface Weapons Center, physicist
Nebraska Public Power District, nuclear training specialist
Nicolet Instrument Corp., manufacturing engineer
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, instructor, applied physics and math
Northwestern Michigan College, museum director
Omnion Power Engineering Corp., senior project manager
PPT Vision, applications engineer
Proctor and Gamble Co., research engineer
R.A. Smith National, civil engineer
Real estate broker, self employed
Rockwell International, aerospace engineer
Sheboygan Paint Co., plant engineer
Speed Queen Co., plant engineer
Star Plan Data Processing, programmer
Sunrise Technologies, founder, vice president, research and development
Teel Plastics Co. Inc., design engineer
Teltech Resource Network, vice president
Third Wave Systems, product quality manager
3M Co., multiple positions and locations
Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance, vice president and chief actuary, reinsurance
UNISYS, multiple positions
University of California, radioactive quant. analyst
University of Idaho, professor
University of Kansas, professor/chairperson
University of North Dakota, professor of computer science
University of Tampa, biology professor
University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital, pediatrics intern
U.S. Army Engineer School, deputy Director of Department of Topographic Engineering, senior physical scientist
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, compliance officer
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, consumer safety officer
U.S. Geological Survey, hydrologist
U.S. Geological Survey, seismologist
U.S. Treasure Dept., criminal investigator/special agent
UTC Aerospace Systems, guidance, navigation, and control engineer
UW-Eau Claire, multiple faculty and administration positions 
UW- La Crosse, professor
UW- Stevens Point, assistant professor, mathematics
UTC Aerospace Systems, manufacturing engineer
Warner Electric, engineer
Western Kentucky University, professor
Westinghouse Electric, nuclear training engineer, senior phase two instructor
Zywave, database analyst


Keep in touch! 

If you are a graduate of this program, we truly want to hear from you! It's essential to the ongoing success of the department and incoming Blugolds that we are able to maintain connections with physics alumni, near and far. We want your expertise, we want to hear your success stories, and even your advice to Blugolds. Please take our Alumni Survey if you have not, and if you did long ago you can always submit an update. Thank you!

Complete alumni survey

Graduation

Alumni + Foundation

Through the Alumni Association and the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, Blugolds can both stay in touch with campus and alumni, and support the programs that shaped their futures.

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