Path of Physicist

As most people will not or not necessarily go to Grad School, even some went to grad school, different major will have different path. so, let me give a rough picture on "How to become a Physicist - in a normal path "

the path is began from entering university, basically, as long as you are in math or physics department, or some engineering department, you are able to become a physicist.

after undergraduate course, there are 2 paths lay in front of you. 1 is become a Master student, and the 2nd one is become a Doctoral student. Lets me talk more on the difference.

there are 2 kinds of master courses, one is a taught based, and one is research based. the taught based is a bit more easy, you take courses, have a little paper then you will finish it after 1 or 2 years. your title will become Master of Science, or M.Sc. it basically is an extension on the undergrad study and seldom bring you to a new level of learning.  the research base is like, you take courses for 1 years, then do a 1 year research, finish your thesis with the help of your supervisor. it will take you at least 2 years. If your research is not going so well an smooth, or may be you have a high requirement professors (your supervisor), you may be delayed, take half or 1 more year before finish. And some cases, you can be fail to meet the requirement and not able to finish. your title will be Master of Philosophy, or M.Phil.

OK, now you hold a master degree, the next step is going to doctoral study. or, if you just hold a bachelor degree, you also able to apply a doctoral course. the difference is, once you have a master degree, your doctoral course will take you 3 years, if you don't have, the course will take you 5 years.

so, why not take the doctoral course, right after undergrad? the reason is, unless you already doing some kind of research during undergrad course, most students have no idea how a research look like. even you did undergraduate research course, it is still different from real research. just like the difference between part-time and full-time. Moreover, students may hear from other how a research is, and what is the career development. So, most people will take a master course, and get to know how research is fitting or not. and tell you from statistics, most of them, found that it is not.

Moreover, to process to doctoral study is a big decision in your life. the reason is 2 folds. first, you are going to sign a "contract" of 3 years. if you quite in the mid-way, you wasted time, and in that among of time, you can gain other competitive experience from working, that will help your salary. 2nd, after you finish a doctoral course, can you go back to the market? no, the reason is simple. you are well trained in a very special area, which mean, you are blank in other things, especially no one will hire a doctoral student for clerk work. while they also not going to place you in some decision making task. the fact is, you are too well-qualified and specialized, you can only survive in your field. unless you can accept after many years of study, go back to job market and earn fresh grad paid. Therefore, it is a big decision. it determines where you will go and who are you. in my advice, people, no matter which major, before you entering doctoral course, please ask as many advice as possible, say, from your teachers, from your friends, or from your parents. ( parents may be not a good choice, especially in Asia.)

So, now, you become a Doctoral course student. you already known how to do an independent research, how to look for reference, make hypothesis, do experiment,  learn theory by yourself. yes, in most case, there is no text book for doctoral student, since it is already cutting edge research. If you are in a new field, then even few papers (scientific publishments) available. you are on you and your professors alone. so, doctoral course normally don't take any course but a full time research.

anyway, you finish, and now you can tick the square "Dr." on any documents or forms. Or more academically a " Ph.D", Doctor of Philosophy. Cool hah !?

now, as a doctoral degree holder, you need to find some labs to do the so called "post-doctoral" research. and your life may be end in this post. (of course salary will higher, but most of us will not satisfy, not because of the salary, is because all we want is a place in university or have our own research team. )

after many years, your research was recognized. some university, or lab, will invite you to join them. and Now, in this sense, you say bye-bye to "post-doc" life and having your own research.

if you go to university, you will first be a lecturer, then assistant professor, then professor.

so, the finial goal is becomes a professor.

so, now you know, a Professor is really hard to be. and that why most of them are wired. :P