Professional Physicists - Education & Public Outreach

Physicists who educate and inform the public and provide educational material and resources for students and teachers are part of EPO.

Job title:
Website development and Education & Public Outreach (EPO).

Educational background:
B.S. in Astronomy/Astrophysics and Physics (double major), minor in Math.

What do you do?
I work at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The projects I've worked on have changed and shifted over the years, but my duties have always revolved around bringing science to the public and to educators. I've developed and contributed to many different websites, some of them for the general public, and some to help teachers to use real science in their classrooms. I've developed lesson plans and activities, written about science, and done the actual HTML and programming for websites.

I've been involved in earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics. One challenge has been working with high-energy astronomers, who study x-rays and gamma rays emitted by objects in space - it's an unusual branch of study to try to explain! In contrast to that, I've been involved with earth science EPO, where we've used satellite imagery of the Earth to explain concepts like "change over time." So, I've been fortunate enough to be exposed to both ends of the "satellite spectrum" - those that look down at the Earth, and those that look up at the farthest reaches of space.

We also try to move with the times; one my current projects is a monthly podcast about what's going on in our lab! We're new to podcasting, but it's been a lot of fun!

Why did you decide to pursue a physics-related career?
I've always had a love for astronomy and space, ever since I can remember, so that was what I decided to major in at college. A few years in, I learned that really, the "physics" is in the word "astrophysics" for a reason. Astronomy really is all physics. I also decided that having a physics degree, a degree that is less specific, would be beneficial for the future. I took an extra year of school to get the double major.

How has your physics background helped you in your career?
You have to be able to understand science in order to explain it to others. A great deal of what I do is about translating real science in a way that is understandable to others, but is still factually correct. It's easy to oversimplify concepts in science and make them wrong. Having the background I do has been really important.

How have you balanced family and career commitments?
I haven't had to choose; my husband is also a scientist/engineer, and we both work. The area we live in has pretty good employment opportunities for those looking for technical jobs. We don't have kids yet, so some things will have to change, but it's not clear exactly what that will be yet! In this age of telecommuting, it's a lot easier to work and have a family. I'm sure we'll work it out when the time comes.

Do you have any advice for college students who are interested in pursuing careers in physics?
Work on other skills that you think will make you employable: like programming languages, understand websites, and learn how to write. Science can be very competitive; jobs like faculty positions are often very hard to come by. Or you may decide that, while you like science, being a research scientist or a professor is not for you. There are plenty of jobs that involve science and will keep you in the field in other ways. We have many Ph.D.'s who program software for various missions, or who work on hardware, or who do Education & Public Outreach. With a physics degree, you can move into any number of fields other than physics, like computers and engineering. So don't limit yourself - there are many options out there!

Job title:
Exhibit and Program Developer at a science centre

Educational background:
Hons. B.Sc. in Physics
B.Ed. (education) and teaching certification
M.Sc. in Physics
Ph.D. in Physics

What do you do?
I create exhibits, shows, and programs to encourage visitors to our centre to learn about a wide range of science topics. I also work with teachers in the formal education system to provide resources for excellent science teaching (from preschool to university).

Why did you decide to pursue a physics-related career?
I really love physics! As I entered university, I knew that I was much better suited for physics than engineering (the choice of most of my classmates) because I was more interested in "why" rather than "how." I've come to love more applied tinkering, too, and discovering "how stuff works." But I get the biggest thrill when I can show someone else (even someone who thinks they're not good at science) why a scientific idea is beautiful.

How has your physics background helped you in your career?
Of course, a lot of what I teach is the same kinds of physics that I studied. But I also find that a physics background has taught me to solve problems rationally, write clearly, research thoroughly, and not be afraid to teach myself anything I need to know.

How have you balanced family and career commitments?
I love my work, and I think I'm doing some good in the world, so I could never imagine giving up my career. But when my daughter was born, I realized that my balance needed to shift. I talked my employer into cutting my work week to four days (yes, that means I make 80% of my former salary). I work way more efficiently at work, and I have the time and energy to enjoy my little one. I'm guessing that my balance will shift many times throughout my career to take into account the needs of my family.

Do you have any advice for college students who are interested in pursuing careers in physics?
Consider your education as providing you with a set of extremely flexible skills which you'll be able to apply to re-invent yourself throughout your career. Lots of folks narrow their outlook to jobs that use their "education" (meaning the course content) rather than taking inventory of things like writing, public speaking, research skills, analytical skills, etc. which they picked up along the way.

Job title:
Education and Public Outreach Lead

Educational background:
B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Math)
M.S. (Astronomy)
Ph.D. (Astronomy)

What do you do?
I am responsible for designing and implementing education and outreach programs that translate the science and technology of NASA astrophysics missions for a variety of audiences (students to policy makers). I lead a team of scientists, education specialists, science writers and graphic/web designers to work on this effort.

Why did you decide to pursue a physics-related career?
I loved the idea of learning for a living. Astronomy fascinated me since I was a child and I pursued that goal somewhat single-mindedly.

How has your physics background helped you in your career?
My astrophysics background is of vital importance in my current job as I understand the science in enough detail to know what is important to convey. But more generally, my science background has opened a lot of doors for me outside academia once I decided to leave the research track.

Do you have any advice for college students who are interested in pursuing careers in physics?
Do it! Physics is about understanding this wonderful and fascinating Universe we live in and is extraordinarily fulfilling intellectually. Also, careers in physics span a wide range - it's not all about becoming an academic at a University. Study physics because you love to do it and keep an open mind about where you can use that degree; you will discover interesting and challenging career options you couldn't have dreamt of!

Job title:
Program Coordinator

Educational background:
B.A. in Physics
M.S. in Physics

What do you do?
I work for a professional society designing and implementing programs for undergraduate physics students. For example, we put together a kit of outreach materials each year that undergraduates can take into local classrooms and use to teach students about science. We are also conducting a study on the effectiveness of undergraduate research programs in physics, putting together a workshop on diversity-related issues in science, and planning a national meeting for physics students, alumni, and physicists.

Why did you decide to pursue a physics-related career?
When I started college I thought I would major in English or math. Eventually I took an astronomy course that introduced me to physics - and I really liked it. I liked the way that physics applied math. When I realized I could add in my English and writing background to work in science communication I was sold.

How has your physics background helped you in your career?
In my job, I need to be able to talk to students and physicists about their research. Because of my background, I am able to do this. I also use my physics subject knowledge when writing about physics concepts for outreach materials. The problem-solving, presentation, and critical thinking skills I learned help me in all aspects of my career.

How have you balanced family and career commitments?
I don't have children yet, but the environment that I work in is family-friendly. There is an on-site daycare and flexible work hours.

Do you have any advice for college students who are interested in pursuing careers in physics?
Try it and see if you like it. Don't do it if you don't like it! The course work is difficult, but can be very rewarding.