TrueSciPhi logo

TrueSciPhi

 

Podcast Profile: Physicists in the Wild

Show Image SiteRSSApple Podcasts
11 episodes
2023 to 2024
Median: 14 minutes
Collection: Physics, Math, and Astronomy


Description (podcaster-provided):

It might surprise you, but most physics PhD students eventually end up in careers outside of academia. Some leave before graduating, some leave straight after, while others pursue an academic career for years before making the transition. Yet, despite the numbers, current PhD students often find it hard to envision any career beyond the academic horizon. Why? They're simply not exposed to the countless other exciting opportunities available to them. 
"Physicists in the Wild" aims to change that. 
Join Aggie Branczyk as she interviews physicists who have turned their PhD training into diverse and often unconventional careers. From the corporate world to government, from education to finance, discover the “other” paths traveled by those with graduate training in physics. 
Tune in every two weeks to hear the stories of physicists in the wild. 
---
Aggie works at IBM as a Senior Research Scientist on the Quantum Computational Science team, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM.


Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):

➤ Career transitions • Physics PhDs • Non-academic roles • Industry insights • Startup challenges • Networking advice • Skill recognition • Personal journeys • Science communication • Diverse job markets

This podcast, "Physicists in the Wild," hosted by Aggie Branczyk, explores the diverse career trajectories of physicists who have transitioned from academia to a wide array of fields. The recurring theme is the myriad of opportunities available to physics PhDs outside the traditional confines of academia. Each episode features an in-depth interview with a physicist who has leveraged their academic training to thrive in another industry, demonstrating how skills acquired during a PhD can be applied in unconventional careers.

Listeners will encounter physicists who have found success in industries such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, venture capital, software development, scientific publishing, education, and finance. These individuals share their unique journeys and the decisions that guided their paths, offering insights into navigating career transitions and the challenges encountered along the way. The episodes highlight the importance of adaptability, networking, and personal growth, emphasizing skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Interviews delve into personal experiences and the motivations that led guests to pursue roles in sectors ranging from e-commerce and fintech to education and strategic partnerships. Across the podcast, there is a consistent focus on breaking the paradigm that physics PhDs should only target academic careers, instead showcasing the exciting opportunities and the personal fulfillment found in other fields. The narratives reflect the power of leveraging one's educational background while being open to new experiences and disciplines, inspiring current PhD students to envision a broader range of career possibilities.


Episodes:
Jay Lowell - AMO Physics PhD to Chief Scientist in Aerospace
2024-Apr-18
16 minutes
Amir Feizpour - Quantum Optics Postdoc to AI Startup Founder
2024-Mar-14
14 minutes
Cristina Escoda - String Theory PhD to Venture Capital & Angel Investing
2024-Feb-29
13 minutes
Brigette Oakes - Experimental Physics PhD to Director of Propulsion
2023-Nov-30
14 minutes
Riccardo Di Sipio - Particle Physics Postdoc to Senior Machine Learning Developer
2023-Nov-09
14 minutes
Emily Petroff - Astrophysics postdoc to Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, Grants and Awards
2023-Oct-19
13 minutes
Bety Rodriguez-Milla - Condensed Matter PhD to Software Development
2023-Oct-05
14 minutes
Katiuscia Cassemiro - Quantum Optics Prof to PRX Quantum Editor
2023-Sep-21
12 minutes
Juan Ignacio Cayuso - Cosmology PhD to Data Science
2023-Sep-05
14 minutes
Ekaterina Babourina-Brooks - Quantum Information PhD to Education
2023-Sep-04
12 minutes
Rohan Dalton - Quantum Optics PhD to Software, Data & Fin Tech
2023-Sep-04
13 minutes