My "field" = nuclear physics. Since the Russians turned into a bunch of cowardly wusses the opportunities in the 'converting Moscow to a glowing crater' field have diminished somewhat.
Fortunately I have since managed to use those 4years of experimental physics experience to design big bits of the Airbus A380, laser eye surgery machines, automated remote mining operations and now 3D medical imaging systems.
My colleagues who stayed in academia - at least those that missed out on being the 10,000th author on an LHC experiment paper - are grinding out a series of temp posts doing feasibility studies on what experimental result a new series of detectors would produce IF they were ever funded. Which they wont be in their lifetime.
Many of my other ex-students had to demean themselves to using their physics/chemistry PhD to earn a fortune in the city as quants or analysts.
I agree. Many "work outside their chosen field" doesn't equate to "Many are flipping burgers." I have a degree in electrical engineering, but I write software for a living. And not the cool stuff I used to do at Caterpillar, but websites and applications. Thing is, I'm good at it and I enjoy it.
I know of many classmates who got degrees in EE but went to work for a petroleum company, or people with degrees in Mech. Engineering who graduated and started writing code day 1.
I know of none of my classmates who got out and went into counseling or marketing (although I'm sure some exist.)
Yes that's a terrible fate
My "field" = nuclear physics. Since the Russians turned into a bunch of cowardly wusses the opportunities in the 'converting Moscow to a glowing crater' field have diminished somewhat.
Fortunately I have since managed to use those 4years of experimental physics experience to design big bits of the Airbus A380, laser eye surgery machines, automated remote mining operations and now 3D medical imaging systems.
My colleagues who stayed in academia - at least those that missed out on being the 10,000th author on an LHC experiment paper - are grinding out a series of temp posts doing feasibility studies on what experimental result a new series of detectors would produce IF they were ever funded. Which they wont be in their lifetime.
Many of my other ex-students had to demean themselves to using their physics/chemistry PhD to earn a fortune in the city as quants or analysts.