When I grow up, I want to be a physicist. To become one, you need a PhD in physics or a related field. Physicists try to figure out the origins of the world using their knowledge of physics. They do complex mathematical calculations to analyze physical and astronomical data like data that could indicate the existence of planets in distant solar systems. Physicists also develop new scientific equipment such as lasers and telescopes. They develop computer software to analyze and model data. They plan and conduct scientific experiments and studies to test theories and discover properties of matter and energy. They make theories and models that attempt to explain the properties of the natural world like atom formation and the force of gravity. They write scientific papers that may be published in scholarly journals and present research findings at conferences and lectures. Physicists use small or medium sized laboratories but some areas require hi-tech expensive equipment like nuclear reactors and particle accelerators.
Physics PhD students need to take courses in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Computer science classes are also needed because physicists and astronomers create programs to gather, analyze, and model data. If you seek a full-time researching job, you must begin at a temporary postdoctoral stage which lasts 2- 3 years. You work with experience scientists and continue to learn their specialties and get a broader understanding of related research areas. Your beginning work may be closely watched by senior scientists but as they get more experience, you get more complex and independent tasks. Physicists may spend a lot of time experimenting in labs but they also spend their time in offices, planning, analyzing, fundraising, and reporting on research.
NASA and the US department of Defense are two of the biggest employers of physicists and astronomers. The median annual pay is $106,840. The top 10% get at least $176,630 per year and the lowest 10% get less than $57,640 per year. The employment of physicists is expected to grow about 10%. As our knowledge grows, there will be a continual need for physicists and astronomers, especially in colleges, universities, and national laboratories.