Student Resources
Begin with a solid foundation
Studying physics in middle school, high school, and as an undergraduate can set you up for success in a variety of career fields.
Physics teaches foundational lessons about the natural world with useful applications for many careers.
There are a lot of misconceptions about taking physics in high school — here are the facts.
If you're curious about a career in physics, there's a lot to explore before college.
Plan for success by seeking out research opportunities and building connections while you're an undergrad.
A compact guide to physics careers with tips, advice, and resources on career planning, networking, and searching and applying for jobs.
Career resources for students
Whether you're just starting your education and career exploration or are applying for jobs, APS has guides, events, and career information to assist you.
Discover your path to career success, your comprehensive companion offering valuable insights, practical tools, and personalized guidance.
Studying physics opens up your future to a range of career paths. You can do almost anything with a physics background!
Discover how much you can do with a degree in physics by seeing how others have put theirs to use.
Get involved, advance your career, and explore important topics for the physics community.
Take your first steps into a physics career with an internship
Awards and meeting travel grants recognize outstanding physics students and help fund scientific meeting attendance.
Connect with other physics students
Collaborate and network with other physics students.
Joining APS connects you to other students, mentors, funding opportunities, and ways to advance your education and career in physics.
APS chapters support graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists at their colleges, universities, and national laboratories.
Connect with other physics students, present your research, and engage in career discovery and networking at March and April Meeting.
This APS unit helps to expand graduate students' involvement in APS and the larger scientific community.
Mentoring programs
NMC provides mentoring and resources for historically underrepresented physics undergrads and graduate students.
Career Mentoring Fellows guide students and early-career scientists through virtual and in-person activities at APS conferences, career fairs, networking events, and in events for physics departments.
IMPact connects students and early career-physicists with physicists working in industry.
A facilitation guide to help physics researchers improve their mentoring skills, and to improve research experiences for the next generation.
APS Bridge Program
"The APS Bridge Program helps undergraduate physics students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups chart a path to grad school."
Gender Inclusive Physics Community
Career planning, leadership training, and mentoring opportunities for women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals in undergraduate and graduate programs.
These conferences empower physics undergraduate women and gender minorities to explore career and education opportunities.
Fostering professional development and leadership opportunities in physics for graduate and postdoc women and gender minorities.
News for physics students
APS News regularly features interviews with students and early career physicists excelling in their field as well as commentary about physics education and careers.
Related
Data on physics and related education levels earned by different demographic groups.
Tools and resources for students and teachers to explore physics education and career options.
We support physics departments, faculty, and K-12 teachers in preparing the next generation of physics students and physicists.
Our K-12 initiatives provide resources to help educators engage students and foster a passion for physics.