• Question: Hi, i really like physics, whats it like as a career? Wats the most dangerous thing you have ever done? :)

    Asked by ril517 to Leila, Charlotte, Dhvanil, Frank, Jim on 15 Mar 2013. This question was also asked by qwertybertie.
    • Photo: Dhvanil Karia

      Dhvanil Karia answered on 15 Mar 2013:

      Physics is awesome if you like it / infact its awesome even if someone does not like it. Career in physics can vary greatly depending on what part of physics you get into. You can have a full time research role which has less interaction with people but it could be very flexible and focused on the inventing bit. On the other side is the public oriented work like in medical physics where you work with the people and patients and the routine is pretty much set (occasional challenges do come)…….

    • Photo: Leila Nichol

      Leila Nichol answered on 15 Mar 2013:

      Hi, it’s really good to hear that you like physics, I would encourage anyone to go and study it! With a Physics degree you can go so many places, employers really respect it because it’s a difficult subject involving lots of problem solving, numeracy and logical thinking. Even if you don’t end up working directly in physics, it’s worthwhile! I use stuff from my physics degree every day in my work, but I’m one of few really, apart from those who have gone into research. It’s an excellent career, especially in Medical Physics, once you’re in, it’s a career for life, and will keep you interested forever as the field is always changing. As for danger, well part of our job is trying to keep people safe from the radiation, so minimum danger at work, though we do come into contact with radioactive sources quite often so need to keep ourselves safe. On a personal level, the most dangerous thing I’ve done is skydive, and also go on a motorcycle tour in Australia – I didn’t know where the brake was and I crashed, nothing too serious though luckily.

    • Photo: Jim O Doherty

      Jim O Doherty answered on 18 Mar 2013:

      Glad to hear you like Physics, as the guys said already it can be a very varied career depending on what your interests are (medicine, engineering, oil exploration, computers, statistics) so do just decide what interests you the most and follow it. My career is mainly research, but I also get to see patients quite often, which is the best for me. Medical Physics is a great career, and contributing to helping patients is a very worthy cause. The most dangerous thing I’ve done at work is having to get a very dangerous amount of radioactive liquid into a syringe, this stuff can potentially kill you if it goes wrong!

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