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2020/2021 PHYSICS CAREER GUIDE Physics2 Success at School is a national careers website for students aged 11-19, as well as their teachers, careers advisors, parents and other influencers. Young people can learn about their future career options through no-nonsense careers advice related to their own experiences. As well as covering topics such as career paths, industries, apprenticeships, university and employability skills, we connect schools and students to employers and universities through opportunities on our site and our interactive forums. Millions of young people and their influencers have visited our site for advice and information to help them plan for the future. Go to successatschool.org for more information. Copyright Success at School Ltd 2020 AboutSuccess at School Cadent are the UK’s largest gas distribution network. They manage a network of more than 80,000 miles of pipes, most of them underground, which transport gas to 11 million customers in the North West, West Midlands, East of England and North London. Cadent are part of the utilities industry, which works to ensure customers receive their gas, electricity, water and communications supplies safely, reliably and affordably. What’s more, Cadent are recognised as a Youth Friendly Employer, due to the opportunities they provide to talented young people like you. They offer a range of training schemes, from apprenticeships to graduate training programmes. If you want to find out more about what Cadent do, they also offer work experience – and if you impress them, you may have the opportunity to be fast-tracked onto one of their training programmes. Cadent need creative thinkers, who are passionate about supporting their customers and challenging the way they do things to drive the best results. Aboutour sponsor3 PHYSICS CAREER GUIDE 05 What is physics? 06 How will physics prepare me for work? 10 Should I choose physics? 12 T-levels Contents 15 Job roles 18 How to future-proof your career 14 Why work experience matters 20 Cadent profile 32 Everything you need to know about gap years 22 Spotlight job 34 University 24 Interviews 28 Apprenticeships4 Physics tells us how the world works. It helps us get closer to the most fundamental questions of all – from “how does time work?” to “how did the universe begin?” Some day, it could even help us figure out how the universe will end. Not only does physics help us tackle the biggest, most abstract questions in the minutest and most concrete detail, it also gives us tools to tackle problems in the world around us. In physics, you will learn create innovative solutions to real-world issues. A good grasp of data, arithmetic and technology solutions is key in modern careers. These skills are becoming more important as new technology platforms and processes are developed. This means a strong background in physics will set you apart from other young people in the job market. You could go to university to study physics or a related subject such as engineering – and just because you study this at university doesn’t mean you are tied to your university subject for your entire career. Remember, the skills you develop in physics will be useful in many fields. These include agriculture, environmental sciences, construction, engineering and manufacturing, medicine and nursing, medical technology and science and research – to name but a few. And if university is not for you, there are many apprenticeships available after school or college, in disciplines from engineering to product design and electronics. Whatever you decide, we wish you the very best for the future. Foreword5 We rely on an understanding of physics for everything from our mobile phones to our cars. Without physics we wouldn’t have Wifi or GPS. It’s behind the latest developments in 5G technology. Physics can even help you understand why a plant’s leaves are green. What’s even more exciting is that we’re still making new discoveries. For instance, in 2020 geophysicists discovered active volcanic structures on Venus. At school, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of physics: matter and energy. This understanding is the basis of all scientific disciplines. Studying physics also teaches you about how to take a creative approach to problem solving and how to investigate the causes and consequences of some of the things you see happening in the world around you. Physics can open up a broad range of career paths. Nanotechnologists manipulate matter on a nano scale to create new materials or processes. Aeronautical engineers need to understand the physics of flying to design everything from aeroplanes to spacecraft and satellites. Creative problem solving and numeracy skills will also make you ideally suited to a career as a software engineer, or help you get ahead in the world of finance as an actuary. Your research skills will be essential if you decide to follow an academic career path. physics? What is Connect6 5 workplace skills you’ll learn in physics Critical thinking In class: You’ll learn to take a rational and logical approach to analysing data and information. You’ll use what you find out to develop arguments to support your point of view or to confirm or deny a hypothesis. Critical thinking is also useful when you’re presented with perspectives different from your own. You’ll be able to evaluate these and decide whether you need to change your position. At work: This is one of the most sought-after skills among employers. If you’re an IT systems analyst, you’ll need to think critically about the most appropriate technology and systems to use for different purposes. As a forensic scientist you’ll critically evaluate the evidence you find to draw conclusions about what might have happened. Data analysis In class: You’ll use mathematical skills to process and analyse the data that you generate during your experiments. You’ll look at how to compare your primary data with published data too. You’ll also learn how to present the data in appropriate ways to help you share your findings with others. At work: We’re generating more data than ever before. Big data specialists are in high demand among businesses ranging from retailers to banks. Cyber security experts also work with data, using it to identify potential threats and weaknesses in digital systems. Problem solving In class: Physics is all about finding the answers to problems and questions. You’ll learn to explore all the elements of a problem and will be encouraged to think creatively about how to tackle it. You’ll also learn how to share ideas and knowledge with others to solve problems as a team. At work: Most jobs require some level of problem solving. An environmental engineer will search for sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as drought, climate change and deforestation. Policy makers identify issues and design policies to address existing societal problems. Communication In class: Sharing the findings of your experiments is just as important as carrying out investigations. You’ll develop your presentation and report writing skills in school. You’ll also work with your classmates to solve problems and conduct experiments. At work: Being able to work as part of a team and communicate clearly is essential in any workplace. Clinical scientists work as part of a scientific team, but in this job, you’ll also have to explain your work to those without your specialist knowledge. Teachers need to be confident and clear when communicating with their students and explaining potentially complex topics. How will physics prepare me for work? Research In class: You’ll learn about conducting different types of research. That might mean carrying out your own experiments. Or it could involve reading research that’s been produced by other physicists. You’ll need to reference your findings and use that research to support your conclusions. At work: An app developer will carry out research about other apps that are already available, as well as finding out what users want from a specific app. Pharmacologists need to research medical conditions, as well as the drugs already available on the market to treat them. 7 PHYSICS CAREER GUIDE ...and 2 you may not have thought of Decision making In class: In the classroom you’ll explore how society’s perception of physics in the past and present has been used to make decisions about scientific issues. You’ll consider ethical issues relating to the environment in your studies. You’ll also learn how to evaluate the risks and benefits of different uses of physics. At work: Scientific evidence has never been more important to decision making given the climate crisis facing the planet. Using evidence to evaluate new technology or processes is vital for a sustainability manager who is working to make a business as eco- friendly as possible. A corporate social responsibility manager will also need to weigh up various options relating to business sustainability and social responsibility. Numeracy In class: Maths and physics are very closely linked. In fact, you need to understand maths to understand many concepts in physics. In the classroom, you’ll learn to apply mathematical concepts in a practical way. You might be using algebra to calculate nuclear processes or to work out an object’s momentum. At work: These kinds of equations are essential in many engineering and scientific roles. A nuclear engineer will need to carry out calculations to ensure the safety of a nuclear power plant. Astronauts also need to use algebra to work out how different tools or technology might be affected by the conditions in space. 8 Learn about the orbits of planets and satellites. Develop your knowledge of centripetal force, gravitational force and circular motion. Explore the technology used to support satellites in space and what energy sources will be most appropriate, including the use of solar power. There are an increasing number of careers linked to space exploration and development. Astrophysicists study objects in the universe, including stars, planets and galaxies to further our understanding of space. Satellite designers need to consider how their technology will operate once it’s launched. If you become a spacecraft operator, you’ll need a detailed understanding of planetary orbits and gravitational force. KnowledgeHow will it help me at work? Develop your understanding of mechanics, specifically concepts such as circular motion, the magnitude of angular speed, terminal velocity and linear momentum. Learn and apply equations to calculate the likes of the kinetic energy of a body. You’ll also draw graphs to interpret displacement- time, velocity-time and acceleration-time. As an automotive engineer you need a solid understanding of mechanics and kinetic energy. You can use this to develop new vehicles that are more efficient or streamlined, for example. If you work as a hydroelectric engineer, you need to understand how movement translates into energy and how you can capture that efficiently. Understanding these concepts is also useful if you become a pilot. Gain knowledge of different types of materials and how to determine their properties. Learn about concepts such as tensile or compressive stress and strain, as well as how to calculate the Young modulus of a material. Understand terms such as elastic limit, yield point, limit of proportionality and breaking stress. An architect will need to consider the properties of various building materials when they’re designing new buildings to make sure the ones they specify are safe and strong enough. Building surveyors need to know how materials perform under different conditions, as well as how they degrade over time. This knowledge will also be useful for a prosthetist, who has to select the most appropriate material to make artificial limbs for their patients. 5 ways your physics know-how will help you at work9 PHYSICS CAREER GUIDE Learn about forced vibrations and resonance. Understand resonance and how to calculate the speed of a sound wave in the air. Know how to use the wave equation and how to draw and interpret graphs of transverse and longitudinal waves. You’ll learn to explain concepts including amplitude, frequency, period, speed and wavelength in relation to sound. If you work as an acoustic consultant, you’ll use this knowledge to help you conduct noise surveys and to help you provide advice relating to acoustic design, usually in buildings. A sound engineer, meanwhile, will use this knowledge to help them as they manipulate acoustics. At live events, they’ll ensure there’s good sound quality. Or they might work in a studio environment where they’re recording music or other sounds and editing them together. KnowledgeHow will it help me at work? Increase your understanding of electric fields, including how they can be defined by electric field lines. Learn how to define the strength of an electric field and understand the relationship between electric field and electric potential. Develop your knowledge of forces between point charges in a vacuum. This knowledge is important for the development of many aspects of modern technology, including LED and LCD displays for computers, TVs and mobile phones. A smartphone designer will need to know about the different types of screen available, as well as their pros and cons. Understanding electric fields will also be useful if you’re an astrophotographer as you’ll use this concept to understand how starlight travels through space. Next >