I recently completed a PhD in physics. About a year before I finished my degree, I realized I didn't want to continue in the sciences but I didn't want to give up on my degree either. Now I'm finished but I'm not sure what I want to do going forward. For personal reasons, I have been unemployed for about 6 months immediately after finishing my degree. It was not my choice and now I'm feeling unmotivated and have lost perspective on the future. Any advice?
2007-02-10 06:30:18 · 9 answers · asked by lcaracola 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
we should not give advice. the option is yours. Try to find something related to what you have studied but that you should like and that could bring you some good money too. Knowledge is not everything thats why I didnt want to complete with a Phd. Fed up with a lot of study its a lot of work and after that finding a good job is not that easy. At least here. I'm a teacher now and not very satisfied with it. Good luck!
2007-02-10 06:35:53 · answer #1 · answered by Pearl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have some money, go on a long vacation. If you are tight on cash, try to find cheap travel destinations and travel on a budget. If you keep dwelling on a particular problem, you will hit a deadlock. Sometimes, by stepping away from the problem, the solution will come to you. Therefore, a vacation will give you a much needed mental break, and hopefully when you return, you will know what you want to do with your life.
By traveling the world for a few months, immersing yourself in a new culture, and seeing how the rest of the world lives, you will will be able to see the world from a different perspective. Hopefully, when you return refreshed and rejuvenated, you will have at least some idea where you want your life to be headed towards.
Also, when you are back from your extended vacation, you will probably be broke. And being broke definitely gives one incentive to work!
2007-02-10 07:51:27 · answer #2 · answered by Ms Dunno-it-all 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With a PhD in physics, you should be pretty good with unix, C/C++, java - at least I would imagine you have developed software for modelling and analytics in your time - so why not continue to develop those skills? Go into industry - possibly related to your former research, or do something different for a chanage, but focus on those technical skills and after a couple of months in employment, you will feel like a new person!
just my thoughts
christo
2007-02-10 06:35:36 · answer #3 · answered by planet_guru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me: I was born a technician; I have three degrees: AA in chemistry; BSEE/Electronics; MSMS/Operations Research. My hobbies (in retirement)-utilizing all of them.
You: Having been unemployed for six months, you have been thinking "outside the box". Your background is wonderful; it indicates discipline, which is often rare.! How about:
A) teaching (general). From kindergarten thru the Master's level
B) teaching (technical). Math, physics, science.
C) Engineering. Somewhere your course work gave you some specialization.
D) Fed Gov't work. CIA, FBI, Bureau of Standards, Armed Forces
E) State Gov't work. Overseeing the state's interest in building highways, water/sewage plants, and (Fed also) nuclear facilities
F) Legal. examining patents, patent claims.
On the other hand, be suave and marry a wealthy woman.
Best regards for you future. ... an old-timer.
2007-02-10 07:07:11 · answer #4 · answered by Puzzleman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you want to teach and be a professor at a university? If not, maybe you can work as a research assistant at a small company. If you are not interested in physics at all, then maybe you can take a chance and figure out something new in life.
If you do not want to continue in the sciences at all, what are you interested in? I need more information to help you with possible career paths.
Good luck!
2007-02-10 06:36:24 · answer #5 · answered by bones_to_heaven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably do a lot of soul searching and see what makes you the happiest =).
2007-02-10 06:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by Firas 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should have a sex change operation, change your name to Miss Coco Peru and go Broadway baby!!
You are going to be a STAR !!!
2007-02-10 06:39:32 · answer #7 · answered by John16 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
roll a big fat joint and go to white castle
2007-02-10 06:33:27 · answer #8 · answered by icecreamheadache420 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋