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Hidden Physicists
From
spandex to blackberries to bioinformatics to flight control to spintronics to
wind energy, physicists can be found in nearly every job sector in some of
the coolest and most farfetched careers imaginable from the surreal to the strange,
from the essential to the eccentric, from the typical to the crazy.

Physics bachelors degree production has
decreased in recent years (source: AIP Statistical Research Center).
A physicist
is defined as anyone who has a physics degree. Why is this the definition?
Because these people have a common set of experiences. Because other
disciplines define their constituents in this manner. Because these people are
a critical group for academics and future research. And, most importantly,
because these are the only people that laugh at jokes involving a priest, a
rabbi, and a quantum mechanic. In recent years, the number of physics bachelors
degrees awarded has decreased. Therefore, we physicists need to stick together!
Hidden
physicists are people with a physics background, but without a typical
physics job. Nearly 90% of all physicists are hidden physicists. The following
testimonials are taken from Radiations, the physics honor society
magazine. The majority of these testimonials are from hidden physicists. They
are prime examples of the wide variety of careers available to physics majors -
careers you might have never even imagined! The list includes a businesswoman,
a speechwriter, a priest, a consultant, an anesthesiologist, a minister, and many many more! Check
back for future additions to the list.
Michelle Abboud
American World Services, Washington, DC
After physics, I continued on and received a Masters in foreign service.
I am now working with a small international market research firm.
Gretchen Chapman
W.L. Gore & Associates, Elkton, MD
With a BS in physics, doors have opened for me that would have otherwise
remained closed. It was proof that I could be analytical and mathematical even
though I was female. It also gave me a knowledge base for my career in the
computer industry.
David Detwiler
Lockheed Martin Corp., Philadelphia, PA
I have worked since 1984 as a systems engineer primarily on large scale satellite
communications systems. My physics background allows me to work the challenging
systems issues that cross a variety of engineering and other technical
disciplines.
Elliot Fischer
General Dynamics, Whippany, NJ
I received a BS in physics and math and a PhD in applied math with a
thesis in general relativity. I have spent all of my career (24 years)
developing algorithms and systems for the military. These have included target
detection and identification algorithms and adaptive algorithms for active
control systems. My knowledge of physics has been instrumental in understanding
the sources of noise that I have dealt with, as well as how these sources
propagate in various mediums. While I usually do not have a direct hands-on
experience with hardware, my physics background allows me to understand how
certain pieces of hardware work and what their limitations are. In addition, we
tend to do a lot of what is called Systems Engineering and Analysis, and again
I have found that a general physics background is very beneficial. More
recently, we are getting into fiber optic transmission systems, and a
background in physics there allows me to quickly pick up new concepts. In
summary, I have found that the physics I learned as an undergrad has provided
me with a great background to assimilate new material throughout my career.
David Keskitalo
Detroit Edison, Ypsilanti, MI
I work as a System Engineer at the Fermi 2 nuclear site. Note that this
is not a computer position. My current system manager responsibilities include
turbine generator controls and auxiliaries. I handle system monitoring,
preventive maintenance technical requirements, equipment obsolescence,
regulatory and insurance issues, and problem investigations. The investigative
work is fun and fast paced and my colleagues are talented, articulate and
dedicated. I make a decent living, and we are providing the most
environmentally friendly eletricity in the area.
Peter E. Walberg
Retired, Forsyth, IL
After ten years in the nuclear navy, the rest of my career was at a
nuclear power plant, a majority of it in risk
assessment. The knowledge of physics was very beneficial in understanding how
things worked.
Michael Long
Director, White House Writers Group, Wash., DC
After earning a BS in physics from Murray State University, and after a
year of graduate study in physics at Vanderbilt, I eventually became a
freelance speechwriter here in Washington, DC. (I hardly ever write about
science, by the way. I write about politics and popular culture.) Physics
taught me to break down a problem and see it for exactly what it is, no more
and no less. This is the key to clear writing.
John C. Davis
Director, Information Security, Mitretek Systems, McLean, VA
I received a BS in physics in 1961, and an MS in physics in 1962 from Pennsylvania State University. I also received an MS in eletrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1972. I have had a 30+ year career with the National Security
Agency (NSA), where I was assigned to senior level technical and managerial
positions responsible for various phases of developing, planning, and
implementing information protection and information collection solutions. My
assignments at NSA included serving as a Commissioner on the President's
Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection (PCCIP), and subsequently, as
the NSA Senior Representative to the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office.
I have also held a number of national-level committee assignments. After
leaving NSA in 2000, I became the Director of the Information Security &
Privacy Center of Mitretek Systems in McLean, VA.
Elam J. Anderson
McMinnville, OR
While I might be considered a 'hidden physicist,' my personal journey
from an AB in physics (Univ. of Redlands, CA) might be a stretch to claim that
title. My mentor brother, Victor C. Anderson, preceded me by four years, then
advanced to a PhD from UCLA and retired ten years ago as Chairman of Dept. of
Eletrical Engineering, SDSU, and lead physicist of the Naval Eletronic Lab in San Diego. Sobered by his experience in assisting in the Manhattan Project, I turned away
from physics to graduate study in psychology (Univ. of Washington) and then to
theology at Berkeley, entering the pastoral ministry (12 years with American
Baptist, then 36 years with Methodist churches). Supporting a growing family of
a wife and ultimately five sons, I often needed supplemental income and there
at least, I could thank my undergraduate work in physics for qualifying me as a
substitute teacher in earth science and general science. Early in my ministry I
recall being encouraged by my Redlands professor, David Soltau, who entered the
Episcopal ministry after he retired. Since retiring ten years ago, I have
dabbled in astronomy and meteorology, counseling some boy scouts in
science-related merit badges, often enjoying NOVA on PBS and other science
programs.
J. Ernest Breeding,
Jr.
World Class Travel & Tours, Slidell, LA
I was an associate professor for ten years and a research physicist for
the Navy for 25 years. I took early retirement and now own a travel business. I
have a PhD in geophysics from Columbia University (1972). I make use of my
background by leading groups to places like Costa Rica where there are active
volcanoes. I provide insight to the geophysical nature of the region including
how the region fits into the scheme of continental drift and sea floor
spreading. I take advantage of my extensive use of computers in scientific
research to be my own webmaster. I also have a web design business and serve as
the webmaster for other websites.
Larry Collette
Asset Manager, General Services Admin., Ft. Worth, TX
I was almost drafted when I finished my BS in 1968, but joined the Navy
instead. I chose a career in public service, and my jobs since 1972 have all
been analytical in nature. I would not be as successful without the skills
obtained getting my BS in physics.
John D. S. Gibson
Consultant, Bellbrook, OH
I received a BS in physics from Duke University in 1951. My training
qualified me for several general and eletronics engineering and project leader
positions for the first ten years after graduation. It also qualified me to
pursue an MS degree in Operations Research. This degree and an Executive
Fellowship at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, lead to a long career
in supervision of mission and economic analysis, and cost effectiveness
studies, usually related to technically complex hardware. This work included a
wide range of mathematical modeling activities, ranging from military
operations to semiconductor production operations. Between work for two consulting
firms, I had career with and retired from the Federal Civil Service. From an
economic point of view my most profitable application of my physics background
was being able to understand and appreciate the differences in the eletron
mobility in silicon and Gallium Arsenide semiconductor materials. This
understanding resulted in very timely investments in relatively new, yet to
make a profit, GaAs semiconductor companies. Of course this game is just
beginning with SiGe, SiC, InP and other new materials coming on into increasing
use. Good luck if you decide to play the Wall Street game. The logic and order
one learns in physics, has also helped my make better decisions as a member of
the township Board of Zoning Appeals for the last thirty years.
Hollis P. Behannon
Evangelist, Jasper, TX
Now doing evangelism and preaching the gospel in a lay capacity. Working
for the Lord and enjoying it. Very rewarding. Eternal benefits.
Donald W. Goodwin
Chief of Thermodynamics, General Dynamics, Retired, Ft. Worth, TX
I worked for 40 years in the thermo area of the engineering department. I
was chief of that function for my last 20 years. Technical areas included:
aircraft airconditioning; aerodynamic heating; avionics thermal design;
infrared radiation; etc.; fuel and hydraulic systems, heating and cooling.
Aircraft products included: B-36, B-58, F111, F16, and F22. Studies included:
national aerospace plane; interplanetary propulsion/fuel studies.
Gerald M. Hoffman
The Gerald Hoffman Co., LLC, Chicago, IL
Hoffmann is a consultant in the management of information technology.
Dr. Mohan Raj
Obilisundar
Cardiac Anesthesiologist, Garden City, NY
Obilisundar owns a medical business as a cardiac anesthesiologist.
Dr. John P. Riola
Chief Geophysicist, Texaco, Bellaire, TX
After graduating with a BS in physics and mathematics from Baylor
University in 1968 and receiving a PhD in physics from Rice University in 1973,
I joined Texaco as a geophysicist in its Upstream Technology Organization. I
have held numerous technical and managerial positions for Texaco including
Division Geophysicist in Midland, TX, and in Denver, CO. I have also served as
Geoscience Technology Manager for Texaco in New Orleans, LA, and in Bellaire, TX. After being a member of Texaco's initial Global Exploration Risk and
Standards Team, I am now serving as Chief Geophysicist of the Worldwide
Exploration Group headquartered in Bellaire, TX. The scientific method of
analysis that I learned while majoring in physics and mathematics has proven to
be the foundation for my professional career in oil and gas exploration with
Texaco. In my career, I have enjoyed the challenge of identifying oil and gas
plays and prospects through the application of appropriate technology,
appropriate in both a 'technical' and 'economic' sense. In my most recent
position, I have enjoyed working with several Texas universities on advisory
boards focused on education and research for the energy industry. I expect to
retire from Texaco once its merger with Chevron is complete. I would recommend
the field of geophysics to any physics major interested in applying his or her
physics education to the exploration for and development of economic
accumulations of hydrocarbons.
Rick Schluter
Corporate Account Mgr., Crystal Decisions, Sparta, NJ
After receiving a BS in physics and math, I joined the Navy nuclear
program as an officer. My last three years there were spent teaching physics at
Navy Nuclear Power School, ending as director of the division. After leaving
the Navy, I joined Westinghouse and got certified by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission as a senior reactor operator instructor. I mainly taught nuclear
physics and reactor theory to commercial nuclear plant operators and engineers.
Combining nuclear knowledge with communication skills, I started selling
training and engineering services to nuclear utilities for Westinghouse. I've
been selling business information software to Fortune 500 companies for the
last five years. I'm certain that my nuclear physics instruction experience
gives me an advantage over my competitors. It has helped me to be able to
explain complex software features and benefits to non-technical decision-makers
and end users.
Society of Physics Students
https://www.spsnational.org/
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