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First, some facts. Of the Engineering Physics and Applied Physics graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 74 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 73%, Engineering Physics and Applied Physics graduates have a higher likelihood (+6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 52% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Engineering Physics and Applied Physics graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Engineering Physics and Applied Physics. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONData Scientist Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division Oct 2021 - Present ABOUTI have a passion for tackling and solving challenges in my life. It is fulfilling to face against something that challenges my mind to think in a way I've never thought before. Whether it takes hours, days, months , or years, its not just the struggle that I appreciate. Its what the challenge instills in me once I overcome it. The challenges of my life this far have been molding my mind to create the best version of myself in order to make effective change for the benefit of my friends, family, and community. From learning how to solve a rubiks cube to learning how to code in a new language for the first time ever, the feeling I get from understanding the method of mastery is Euphoric and it is a feeling that is almost second to any other feeling that I've experienced. Growing up, I came across many challenges that forced me to think differently and take on new perspectives, and I believe that the lessons that I've learned throughout the years were beneficial in how I problem solve, overcome obstacles, and accomplish goals today. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Based on a close examination of the professional journeys of individuals with degrees in Engineering Physics and Applied Physics, it’s clear that they embark on a wide variety of career paths. While many end up in positions that are closely aligned with their educational background, others drift into roles that seem only tangentially connected. A common cluster of jobs includes teaching—specifically in physics education—where their in-depth knowledge of physics principles comes into direct play. Roles such as Physical Sciences Educator or Teacher of Physics are relevant and utilize their educational background extensively.
In addition, many graduates find their way into research-oriented positions, such as Graduate Research Assistant or Research Engineer, which require strong analytical and problem-solving skills that align with their degrees. However, it’s also worth noting that a significant number of graduates move into fields that are not directly tied to Engineering Physics at all. For instance, many work as Customer Representatives, Project Managers, or in sales roles—positions where the core principles of their degree are not a primary focus. In these cases, the skills from their education may contribute to their success, but the relevance to their specific degree is less clear.
Overall, while many individuals leverage their Engineering Physics and Applied Physics education in practical and relevant ways—particularly in education, research, and engineering fields—there are also numerous examples where the connection is weak or non-existent. The diverse nature of career outcomes illustrates the versatility of the skills gained in these degree programs but also highlights an apparent disconnect for those who find themselves in unrelated roles. So, while there's a significant number of jobs that align with their backgrounds, it’s important to recognize that not all paths taken are as relevant to Engineering Physics and Applied Physics as one might hope.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Engineering Physics and Applied Physics graduates:
When you look at the career paths of folks who graduated with degrees in Engineering Physics and Applied Physics, it's quite a mixed bag. At first glance, you might think, "Wow, these people are all set!" but digging deeper tells a different story. Graduates seem to find themselves in a range of fields, with a decent chunk of them sticking to jobs relevant to their degrees. For many, the first job after graduation is often in education or research positions, reflecting the theoretical grounding of their studies. For instance, some started as teachers or instructors and gradually shifted into engineering roles. This represents a path where foundational knowledge from their degrees is utilized, even if indirectly.
As time goes on—like five or ten years down the line—some graduates are clearly thriving in more technical or specialized roles, such as engineers or researchers in various sectors. However, there are others who wander off into seemingly unrelated fields, like customer service or management roles that don’t take full advantage of their technical backgrounds. This is particularly noticeable with graduates who wind up in teaching positions early on, such as the individual from Northern Illinois University who transitioned into multiple teaching roles before finding themselves in a laboratory technician position at ADM. It seems that for some, on paper, they may have good jobs, but they aren't necessarily using their physics training in impactful ways.
So, to sum it all up, while there are definitely success stories of graduates carving out fulfilling careers in physics-related fields—like the skilled engineers progressing through successful tech companies—there are also many who end up in jobs that don’t quite match their education background. It underscores a key point for future engineering physics majors: while having a degree opens doors, how you navigate your career path matters just as much. It's about finding ways to align your job with your skills and interests, or even carving out a unique niche for yourself over time. The journey is not just about where you start, but where you choose to go next!
Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics or Applied Physics can be pretty challenging, especially if you're coming from a high school background that didn't focus heavily on math and science. These programs typically blend complex concepts from both physics and engineering, so you'll be diving into advanced calculus, differential equations, and a ton of physics principles, which can be pretty intense. It's definitely not the easiest degree out there, and you'll need to be ready to put in a lot of study hours, tackle some tough problem sets, and really engage with the material. But hey, if you love science and enjoy figuring out how things work, it can also be super rewarding!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Engineering Physics and Applied Physics.
Looking at the job paths of these Engineering Physics and Applied Physics grads, it's clear there’s a wide range in how much money they might be making. For instance, some have landed solid roles in engineering and tech, like those at Merck, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman, which usually pay pretty well. On the other hand, there are those in education or entry-level positions that tend to have lower pay scales, particularly in teaching or internships. This means that while a few of them are likely bringing in competitive salaries and progressing quickly in their careers, others may not be raking it in quite as much, especially if they are just starting out or have chosen paths in fields that traditionally offer lower pay.
Overall, it seems like the more technical and specialized roles in engineering and R&D are generally better-paying, while positions in education or certain support roles may lag behind in terms of salary. So, while some peeps from this list could be making decent money or even quite well off, others might be just getting by. The good news is, as they gain experience and skills, there's a good chance for upward mobility in their careers!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Engineering Physics and Applied Physics. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Engineering Physics and Applied Physics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Engineering Physics and Applied Physics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: