Placement of Physics

Graduates in Industry and

Other Jobs

Placement of Physics

Graduates in Industry and

Other Jobs

Carlos HerranzCarlos Herranz

Colegio Oficial de FísicosColegio Oficial de FísicosProfessional Association of Physicists - SpainProfessional Association of Physicists - Spain

Carlos HerranzCarlos Herranz

Colegio Oficial de FísicosColegio Oficial de FísicosProfessional Association of Physicists - SpainProfessional Association of Physicists - Spain

EUPEN GENERAL FORUM

Sant Feliu de Guíxols, September 6, 2007

EUPEN GENERAL FORUM

Sant Feliu de Guíxols, September 6, 2007

WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?

• DIFFERENCIAL AND INTEGRAL CALCULUS

• PHYSICS LABORATORY• ELECTROMAGNETISM• MECHANICS AND WAVES• THERMODYNAMICS• MATHEMATICAL METHODS FOR

PHYSICS• OPTICS• QUANTUM PHYSICS• CHEMISTRY• COMPUTING TECHNIQUES

• FLUIDS PHYSICS• SOLID STATE PHYSICS• ELECTRONICS • ASTROPHYSICS• ATOMIC, NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE

PHYSICS• MATERIALS SCIENCE• OCEANOGRAPHY• GEOPHYSICS• METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY• STATISTICS• CONTROL SYSTEMS• ...

Sound mathematical and scientific base, Sound mathematical and scientific base, suplemented by some technical aspects.suplemented by some technical aspects.

WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?

Vocational career:

• “Pleasure” in physics

• Doesn’t distinguish social origin or sex (aptitudes are individual)

• “Open” mind for science

• Discipline at work (hard studies)

Recommended:

• Knowledge of languages, computing, etc

• Suplement studies with master, postgrades

• Interchange programmes

Vocational career:

• “Pleasure” in physics

• Doesn’t distinguish social origin or sex (aptitudes are individual)

• “Open” mind for science

• Discipline at work (hard studies)

Recommended:

• Knowledge of languages, computing, etc

• Suplement studies with master, postgrades

• Interchange programmes

WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?

Physics is not just a science. It is also a way of perceiving the world,

a way of reacting and behaving before concrete facts and

phenomena.

Physics is not just a science. It is also a way of perceiving the world,

a way of reacting and behaving before concrete facts and

phenomena.

WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?

The most spread image is that of a physicist The most spread image is that of a physicist devoted to scientific research or to teaching.devoted to scientific research or to teaching.

WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?WHAT IS A PHYSICIST?

The physicist is a versatile and competent The physicist is a versatile and competent professional working in a cross-disciplinary job professional working in a cross-disciplinary job market in many different fields.market in many different fields.

This degree allows us both to know the basic laws of the Universe and to produce goods/services which are based in them.

This degree allows us both to know the basic laws of the Universe and to produce goods/services which are based in them.

THE LABOUR MARKETTHE LABOUR MARKET

The demand of scientific-technical professionals in Spain is The demand of scientific-technical professionals in Spain is unstable.unstable.

• A reference scientific-technical sector is lacking

• Fast technological evolution

• Adaptation to market changes and opportunities

• Few spin-offs from universities

• A reference scientific-technical sector is lacking

• Fast technological evolution

• Adaptation to market changes and opportunities

• Few spin-offs from universities

The professionals experiment a continuous development in their required skills along labor life. Consequently, an adaptation capability and CONTINUOUS TRAINING are needed.

The professionals experiment a continuous development in their required skills along labor life. Consequently, an adaptation capability and CONTINUOUS TRAINING are needed.

THE LABOUR MARKETTHE LABOUR MARKET

The professional profile which defines a given type of activity The professional profile which defines a given type of activity requires:requires:

• Continuous learning capability

•Knowledge of the:

• “business”

• technology

• processes

• organization

• Continuous learning capability

•Knowledge of the:

• “business”

• technology

• processes

• organization

Professional capabilities

Personal capabilities

• Communication

• Flexibility and an ability to adapt to changes

• Communication

• Flexibility and an ability to adapt to changes

THE LABOUR MARKETTHE LABOUR MARKET

The new university curricula should take into account non-The new university curricula should take into account non-technical habilities required by the market.technical habilities required by the market.

• Tranverse sectors

• Cross-disciplinary teams

• Non-technical aspects of the business (marketing, communication, financing, legal, managerial…)

It is necessary to [want to] understand the processes and requirements of the business.

• Tranverse sectors

• Cross-disciplinary teams

• Non-technical aspects of the business (marketing, communication, financing, legal, managerial…)

It is necessary to [want to] understand the processes and requirements of the business.

THE PROFESSIONAL PROFILE OF THE PHYSICISTTHE PROFESSIONAL PROFILE OF THE PHYSICIST

The most valued aptitudes of physics graduates in the job The most valued aptitudes of physics graduates in the job market (desired):market (desired):

• Ability to asume new professional challenges in the most diverse subject matters (adaptability)

• Fast learning of specific knowledges which might be required, so much so as an ability to develop them succesfully in a short time (efficacy)

A sound basic training provides an excelent adaptation capacity to new technologies in a short time and with great efficacy, which is highly valued by employers.

• Ability to asume new professional challenges in the most diverse subject matters (adaptability)

• Fast learning of specific knowledges which might be required, so much so as an ability to develop them succesfully in a short time (efficacy)

A sound basic training provides an excelent adaptation capacity to new technologies in a short time and with great efficacy, which is highly valued by employers.

THE PROFESSIONAL PROFILE OF THE PHYSICISTTHE PROFESSIONAL PROFILE OF THE PHYSICIST

The main limitations:The main limitations:

Lack of self-esteem

Scarce interest in knowing the “non-technical” aspects of business

Reluctance for management / responsibility tasks

EXTERNAL FACTORS:

The syndrome of the “invisible physicist”

Lack of image (ignorance of the HR responsible)

System of professional competences

Lack of self-esteem

Scarce interest in knowing the “non-technical” aspects of business

Reluctance for management / responsibility tasks

EXTERNAL FACTORS:

The syndrome of the “invisible physicist”

Lack of image (ignorance of the HR responsible)

System of professional competences

AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITYAREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

• Health

• Economy

• Energy and Industry

• Telecommunications

• Transports

• Security and defense

• Food

• Health

• Economy

• Energy and Industry

• Telecommunications

• Transports

• Security and defense

• Food

Physicists are present in nearly all activitiy sectors:Physicists are present in nearly all activitiy sectors:

• Tourism

• Science and Technology

• Environment

• Labour

• Justice

• Culture and Education

• Housing

• Tourism

• Science and Technology

• Environment

• Labour

• Justice

• Culture and Education

• Housing

• Acoustics• Aerospace technology• Climate and meteorology • Defense and weponry• Economy and finances• Energy production• Environment management• Electronics• Geodesy and prospecting• Health and medicine

• Acoustics• Aerospace technology• Climate and meteorology • Defense and weponry• Economy and finances• Energy production• Environment management• Electronics• Geodesy and prospecting• Health and medicine

The fields in which there is a notable participation of The fields in which there is a notable participation of physicists:physicists:

• Information and communication technologies

• Magnetism• Materials• Metrology and calibration• Nanotechnology• Occupational risk prevention• Quality assurance• Radiological protection• Scientific-technical instrumentation• Technology watch and innovation

• Information and communication technologies

• Magnetism• Materials• Metrology and calibration• Nanotechnology• Occupational risk prevention• Quality assurance• Radiological protection• Scientific-technical instrumentation• Technology watch and innovation

AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITYAREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

• Technical: design and development of services, products and projects, adaptation/customization/implantation of information systems and networks, fitting and maintenance of technological equipment, security/safety/optimization of processes…

• Services: project management, quality assurance, management and operation of services, customer support, marketing and commercial management, technical translation…

• Organization: planning, analysis/foresight/modelization of markets and products, innovation management, definition of organization’s structures, team management…

• Management: design and strategy in all the above mentioned aspects, determination of development lines, leadership of teams, decision-making, agreements of collaboration…

• Technical: design and development of services, products and projects, adaptation/customization/implantation of information systems and networks, fitting and maintenance of technological equipment, security/safety/optimization of processes…

• Services: project management, quality assurance, management and operation of services, customer support, marketing and commercial management, technical translation…

• Organization: planning, analysis/foresight/modelization of markets and products, innovation management, definition of organization’s structures, team management…

• Management: design and strategy in all the above mentioned aspects, determination of development lines, leadership of teams, decision-making, agreements of collaboration…

AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITYAREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

The tasks performed by physicists are very varied:The tasks performed by physicists are very varied:

• Planning of radiological protection measures• Projects for heating and warm water facilities • Projects for facilities and conditioning for fuel tanks• Projects for high and low voltage electrical facilities• Projets for mobile telephone stations• Reports for building radioactive facilities• Measuring of atmospheric pollutants• Electromagnetic measuring• Noise and vibrations measuring• Expert advice ni general

• Planning of radiological protection measures• Projects for heating and warm water facilities • Projects for facilities and conditioning for fuel tanks• Projects for high and low voltage electrical facilities• Projets for mobile telephone stations• Reports for building radioactive facilities• Measuring of atmospheric pollutants• Electromagnetic measuring• Noise and vibrations measuring• Expert advice ni general

Increasingly physicists choose to work as freelances or establish Increasingly physicists choose to work as freelances or establish their own companies (sometimes forced by the labour market). their own companies (sometimes forced by the labour market). When the physicist becomes a “designer” who makes projects, When the physicist becomes a “designer” who makes projects, their activity must be “sanctioned” by the Colegio Oficial.their activity must be “sanctioned” by the Colegio Oficial.

AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITYAREAS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

EMERGING SECTORSEMERGING SECTORS

Information and communication technologiesInformation and communication technologies

technological innovation / signal and data handling / observation and technological innovation / signal and data handling / observation and remote-sensing systems / positioning systems and applications / remote-sensing systems / positioning systems and applications / knowledge management / Internet / mobile communications / new knowledge management / Internet / mobile communications / new devices / digital contents / new products development / technology devices / digital contents / new products development / technology implantation / usability, accessibility and security / marketingimplantation / usability, accessibility and security / marketing

Information and communication technologiesInformation and communication technologies

technological innovation / signal and data handling / observation and technological innovation / signal and data handling / observation and remote-sensing systems / positioning systems and applications / remote-sensing systems / positioning systems and applications / knowledge management / Internet / mobile communications / new knowledge management / Internet / mobile communications / new devices / digital contents / new products development / technology devices / digital contents / new products development / technology implantation / usability, accessibility and security / marketingimplantation / usability, accessibility and security / marketing

EMERGING SECTORSEMERGING SECTORS

Energy productionEnergy production

renewable energies / fuels / efficiency and saving / production renewable energies / fuels / efficiency and saving / production assurance / climate change / Kioto protocol / energetic models / assurance / climate change / Kioto protocol / energetic models / demand management / environmental impactsdemand management / environmental impacts

Energy productionEnergy production

renewable energies / fuels / efficiency and saving / production renewable energies / fuels / efficiency and saving / production assurance / climate change / Kioto protocol / energetic models / assurance / climate change / Kioto protocol / energetic models / demand management / environmental impactsdemand management / environmental impacts

EMERGING SECTORSEMERGING SECTORS

Nanotechnology and new materialsNanotechnology and new materials

manipulation and manufacture in the nanoscale / optics / efficiency in manipulation and manufacture in the nanoscale / optics / efficiency in production / improvements in the information technologies / production / improvements in the information technologies / nanomaterials / nanosensors / drugs nanomaterials / nanosensors / drugs

Nanotechnology and new materialsNanotechnology and new materials

manipulation and manufacture in the nanoscale / optics / efficiency in manipulation and manufacture in the nanoscale / optics / efficiency in production / improvements in the information technologies / production / improvements in the information technologies / nanomaterials / nanosensors / drugs nanomaterials / nanosensors / drugs

EMERGING SECTORSEMERGING SECTORS

Modelization techniquesModelization techniques

economy / finance / insurance / banking / energy / explotation of economy / finance / insurance / banking / energy / explotation of resources / sociological studies / optimization and improvement of resources / sociological studies / optimization and improvement of efficiency / architecture and urban developmentefficiency / architecture and urban development

Modelization techniquesModelization techniques

economy / finance / insurance / banking / energy / explotation of economy / finance / insurance / banking / energy / explotation of resources / sociological studies / optimization and improvement of resources / sociological studies / optimization and improvement of efficiency / architecture and urban developmentefficiency / architecture and urban development

EMERGING SECTORSEMERGING SECTORS

Sustainable developmentSustainable development

environmental protection / enhancement of efficiency and reduction of environmental protection / enhancement of efficiency and reduction of pollution in transportation / promotion of solar energy / agriculture, pollution in transportation / promotion of solar energy / agriculture, including post-harvest technology / water treatment and remediation / including post-harvest technology / water treatment and remediation / air pollution control / waste treatmentair pollution control / waste treatment

Sustainable developmentSustainable development

environmental protection / enhancement of efficiency and reduction of environmental protection / enhancement of efficiency and reduction of pollution in transportation / promotion of solar energy / agriculture, pollution in transportation / promotion of solar energy / agriculture, including post-harvest technology / water treatment and remediation / including post-harvest technology / water treatment and remediation / air pollution control / waste treatmentair pollution control / waste treatment

EMERGING SECTORSEMERGING SECTORS

HealthHealth

application of physics to clinical medicine / radiation therapy and application of physics to clinical medicine / radiation therapy and diagnosis / new technologydiagnosis / new technology

HealthHealth

application of physics to clinical medicine / radiation therapy and application of physics to clinical medicine / radiation therapy and diagnosis / new technologydiagnosis / new technology

THE COLEGIO OFICIAL DE FÍSICOSTHE COLEGIO OFICIAL DE FÍSICOS

Non-profit institutionNon-profit institution c created by law in 1976 that groups the reated by law in 1976 that groups the Spanish physicists with the aims of:Spanish physicists with the aims of:

• Represent the profession of “physicist” before administrations, courts, and any other public or private institution

• Serve collective interests and organize activities for members

• Establish agreements to benefit members

• Advise members: legal, professional, job search, training

• Sanction project reports from members

• Defend and disseminate knowledge of physicists competences

• Collaborate with universities for a better training for physicists

• Public service to society whenever demanded

• Disseminate in the society the idea that science and physics are necessary elements to life and development

• Represent the profession of “physicist” before administrations, courts, and any other public or private institution

• Serve collective interests and organize activities for members

• Establish agreements to benefit members

• Advise members: legal, professional, job search, training

• Sanction project reports from members

• Defend and disseminate knowledge of physicists competences

• Collaborate with universities for a better training for physicists

• Public service to society whenever demanded

• Disseminate in the society the idea that science and physics are necessary elements to life and development

THE COLEGIO OFICIAL DE FÍSICOSTHE COLEGIO OFICIAL DE FÍSICOS

Main office:Main office:

C/ Monte Esquinza, 28 - 3º dcha.C/ Monte Esquinza, 28 - 3º dcha.28010 Madrid28010 MadridSpainSpain

Phone: +34 91 447 06 77Phone: +34 91 447 06 77Fax: +34 91 447 20 06 Fax: +34 91 447 20 06 E-mail: comunicacion@cofis.esE-mail: comunicacion@cofis.es

Internet sites:Internet sites:

www.cofis.es www.cofis.es (corporate site) (corporate site)

www.fys.eswww.fys.es (“physics and society” site) (“physics and society” site)

Main office:Main office:

C/ Monte Esquinza, 28 - 3º dcha.C/ Monte Esquinza, 28 - 3º dcha.28010 Madrid28010 MadridSpainSpain

Phone: +34 91 447 06 77Phone: +34 91 447 06 77Fax: +34 91 447 20 06 Fax: +34 91 447 20 06 E-mail: comunicacion@cofis.esE-mail: comunicacion@cofis.es

Internet sites:Internet sites:

www.cofis.es www.cofis.es (corporate site) (corporate site)

www.fys.eswww.fys.es (“physics and society” site) (“physics and society” site)