School of Physics & Astronomy
 

Physics Careers Week

Physics Careers Week is the annual event at the School for the final year physics students. The goal of the event is to give the final year students an overview of professional paths open to them upon graduation. Highlights of the week include a session with physics alumni who will tell about the companies where they work now, a session about doing a PhD and a talk about the "imposter syndrome". There are also sessions that provide practical training in all aspects of the recruitment process: how to write a CV and a covering letter, how to prepare for an interview, psychometric tests and so on.

The aim of the event is to prepare final year students to transition from the university to employment. The week consists of talks from industry representatives and practical workshops that allow students to prepare for all stages of the recruitment process (including writing a CV and cover letter).

Physics Careers week 2024 12 - 15 November 

Tuesday 12 November (in person, all sessions in C14 Physics building) 

10.30 – 11.20 What can I do with a Physics Degree? How can I use my physics knowledge to make a difference? Central Career Service, Katie Bonner

Please register here 

11.30 – 12.30 How to choose a job? Dr Olga Fernholz 

What are the career options available out there? How to figure what you would like to do as a job, or where to start? How to get to know and connect to employers? This session will also prepare you for the networking session with alumni and PhD students the next day. 

Please register here

12.30 - 1.45pm  Lunch (provided), 1st floor Physics building, mezzanine area 

1.45 - 2.45pm   “We are all imposters”. Prof  Meghan Gray

Please register here  

3 – 4pm  Career Support from the Institute of Physics, Edward Breeds, Chair of the East Midlands regional branch of the IOP 

Please register here  

    

Wednesday 13 November (in-person, all sessions in C14 Physics building) 

10.30 – 12.45 Doing a PhD: what it is like and how to apply. 

The school’s academics representing different physics fields will talk about what it’s like to do a PhD in their field and describe a PhD application process.  You will also hear from current PhD students about their experience.

Please register here  

12.45 - 1.45   Lunch, 1st floor Physics building, mezzanine area 

1.45 - 3.30pm  Session with physics alumni (open to 1st and 2nd year physics students). 

Hear from physics graduates who will be talking about their current role and career journey so far plus advice and tips for current students. Speakers: Grace Morley (SMG), Josie Mellor (Experian), David Payne (GMV), James Rayner (MVW Tech) 

Please register here 

 

 Thursday 14 November (online bitesize sessions delivered by Central Career Services) 

10.00 –10.45   Applications (including psychometric tests) 

This session will help you complete online applications.  Many applicants fail to progress past this point and writing a researched and effective application is really important.  We will cover motivation, competency and commercial questions as well as psychometric testing examples.

Please register here       Join the session here via MS Teams 

11.00 – 11.45   Improving your CV 

This session will include tips on how to improve your CV and tailor it effectively to opportunities. 

Please register here      Join the session here via MS Teams 

 2-2.45pm – LinkedIn 

This session will cover how to create an effective online profile.  We will also discuss how to use LinkedIn to research employers, network and find a job. 

Please register here     Join the session here via MS Teams 

3-3.45pm – Interviews 

How to prepare for an online or face to face interview and maximise your success.  What questions will employers ask and what are they looking for? 

Please register here    Join the session here via MS Teams

 

Friday 15 November 

This day is dedicated to careers drop in for all questions related to job search and applications, including CV and cover letter reviews. Drop ins are in C400b (physics building), 10am - 1pm, or online on 1-2pm via MS Teams.

 

If you have any questions, please contact careers lead for the school Dr Olga Fernholz.

 

School of Physics and Astronomy

The University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham NG7 2RD

For all enquiries please visit:
www.nottingham.ac.uk/enquiry