Spec me a job

zookopf

zookopf

zookopf

Associate
Joined
29 Jul 2009
Posts
131
Hi guys,

I'd like to start by saying that I regularly read this forum, but seldom post anything. That being said, recent developments in my life have forced me to shelf my voyeuristic tendencies, and seek the advice of as many knowledgeable persons as I can lay my hands on. (figuratively speaking of course...)

Yesterday I finished a 4 year undergraduate course entitled 'Physics and Instrumentation', based in the Republic of Ireland. I am now officially in the job market, yay!. At this point I'm not looking for a career, but rather something which provides the highest potential wage from the get go, so as to facilitate the funding of a masters degree in the near future and general stabilisation of my current financial situation.

My course is quite broad and potentially provides me with a lot of options regarding job type. There are several large companies in the west of Ireland who actively scout my particular course (e.g. medical device companies, instrumentation / calibration companies, etc.) but I think I'm going to head back to the south east, where I'm originally from.

I understand that I can't expect to be getting paid a fortune straight out of college; nevertheless, my grades are quite high, i.e. ~86% average for the ordinary degree (16% over the distinction mark), years 1-3, and I expect to get a 'first class honors' in the honors degree. Along with this, I have various academic awards and ~6 months industrial experience in a national laser research facility (9 weeks unpaid placement and the rest as a paid researcher).

I was thinking for a while that I would try for a masters scholarship in petroleum engineering at the Imperial college London, but as the oil industry is starting to look at bit shaky at the moment, so I'm not so sure any more.

I have been told that one potential avenue for accruing money with a physics degree, is in the financial industry, as an analyst (any thoughts on this?).

To cut a long story short, I have no idea what type of job I should be looking for or what I should be expecting to earn, given my qualifications and performance. I would be very grateful for any suggestions which might provide me with a basis for my own research.

Also, what do you guys think of recruiting firms?, are they likely to make any significant effort in getting me a good quality position or would they just want to get me into any job they could find, as quickly as possible?

I can provide a list of my course modules for the four years upon request. (didn't want to make this post any longer than it already is...)
 
Can't vouch on job type etc. But really any grad without much work experience usually ends of getting a grad salary,doesn't really matter on grades or performance

Just getting that out there

Also, recruitment firms can be very useful yeah. Although if you ever get the chance, try and get detail of said company from recruiter then approch them directly, by undercutting the recruitment agency you will be saving the company a massive recruitment fee they would have to pay the recruitment agency.

They can be useful in headhunting and looking out for roles
 
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DJMK4 said:
Can't vouch on job type etc. But really any grad without much work experience usually ends of getting a grad salary,doesn't really matter on grades or performance

Just getting that out there
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Okidoke, figured as much; still though, I would imagine there is some room for maneuvering.....
 
[FnG]magnolia;28139569 said:
What do you want to do?
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While I have a general interest in most things, I don't have a passion for anything in particular. I guess I'm more research and project minded, rather than a number crunching type; though I will do either.
 
zookopf said:
Okidoke, figured as much; still though, I would imagine there is some room for maneuvering.....
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Maybe, you would have to shine though, although you would be very lucky to sway them to negotjate, companies tend to try not to give too much away on grads.as they have no background experience. They don't really care about grades, as soon as they hear you have graduated they move on.

You could always try and play off "offers" you have? But with no experience again that would be hard to say "well iv had an offer of xx"
 
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DJMK4 said:
Maybe, you would have to shine though, although you would be very lucky to sway them to negotjate, companies tend to try not to give too much away on grads.as they have no background experience. They don't really care about grades, as soon as they hear you have graduated they move on.

You could always try and play off "offers" you have? But with no experience again that would be hard to say "well iv had an offer or xx"
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Fabricating offers as we speak. :cool:
 
I recently finished a graduate scheme in financial services and was on the programme with a couple of guys with degrees in mathematical physics. Both looking at jobs as analysts.

/Salsa
 
Salsa said:
I recently finished a graduate scheme in financial services and was on the programme with a couple of guys with degrees in mathematical physics. Both looking at jobs as analysts.

/Salsa
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How did you / they find it? if you don't mind me asking.
 
zookopf said:
Can't afford the leather....
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The is always PVC! much cheaper and just as effective for the desires of the nutters! :D

I have never know what to do in life, I just bounce about and I am very far from as educated as you.

I would look at your hobbies and interests and make them into something you love to do., as a job. ;)
 
itchy said:
The is always PVC! much cheaper and just as effective for the desires of the nutters! :D

I have never know what to do in life, I just bounce about and I am very far from as educated as you.

I would look at your hobbies and interests and make them into something you love to do., as a job. ;)
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I think that's probably good advice. I'll have to generate some hobbies first though, as I'm still recovering from the life consuming degree. :(
 
I'm slightly puzzled - do you know what sort of masters degree you want to do?

You seemed to want a job that will help make you a fast buck in order to pay for a masters degree - that would make sense perhaps if you then had some clear idea of what you wanted to do the masters degree in and the career you're keen on after the masters degree.

In which case you could try something sales related - recruitment consultancy etc.. that sort of thing, if you're confident/outgoing and prepared to work your ass of for a year or two could see you raise funds quite quickly.

But since you're not sure what you want to do I'd have to ask, why the masters degree?

You've mentioned finance... you might have some trouble with grad programs at banks as a lot of people on them already did their summer internships and have already had their offers of places. You've presumably not done a summer internship. Still supposing you landed yourself a well paid job at a bank, suppose you ended up in a front office role... do you really need a masters now?

Suppose alternatively you decide you want to become a quant, well perhaps you'd be better off getting a PhD... firstly you'd have a better shot at quant jobs and secondly, unlike a lot of masters degree, PhDs tend to be funded. Having said that don't do a PhD just because you want it in order to do a particular job.

Another alternative since you've mentioned finance - become an actuary... they mostly work in insurance but the career is relevant to finance too... you don't need a masters but you will need to sit professional exams that are essentially equivalent to doing a masters and a bit more.. while working.

Lastly - 'big data' is well.... 'big' at the moment... you'll maybe struggle to get funding for a Stats masters but you may find that something medical stats related or bioinformatics etc.. that is attracting funding.

Also areas like Mathematical Biology might be interesting too perhaps and might have funding.
 
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zookopf said:
Fabricating offers as we speak. :cool:
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I've found grad offers pretty much un-negotiable. Too many grads and not enough jobs. Gets a bit better with an MSc and a lot better with doctorate. Experience is what gets you the better salary. The qualification gets you through the door and sets your starting salary when you have no experience.
 
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