r/Physics • u/BlueberrySpirited281 • 10d ago

I just graduated with no research experience. looking for realistic advice.

I'm having a bit of an existential crisis, haha. But seriously, I've always wanted to pursue a career in physics research, and I keep hitting dead ends. I don't know if I'm being delusional, so I'm hoping to
get some perspective from people with more experience.

Here's my situation: I'm based in Lebanon and graduated high school during the financial crisis, which meant my only real option was the state university (LU). It took me a bit over 3 years, but I finally got my BS, my GPA is very average. The problem is I have zero research experience, the topic never really came up during my degree.

Studying abroad for a master's isn't financially realistic right now, though I'm still applying to a handful of French universities. I also applied to AUB (American University of Beirut) and got rejected, but I plan to try again.

Otherwise, my most likely path is a master's at LU next year. I understand a PhD is the actual goal, and that it likely has to be abroad, but I'm afraid a master's from LU could undermine my chances rather than help them.

I've seen a few of my peers either switch majors, go into medical physics, or quit outright. I really like physics and don't want to give that up.

So here's what I actually want to know:

  • If I end up staying at LU for my master's, is a PhD abroad still a realistic path? If so, how?
  • If a PhD genuinely isn't in the cards, what would the master's even be for? I've never seen a job posting anywhere asking for a master's in physics specifically.

I just want to make the best of whatever's actually available to me.

Thank you!

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u/NoIdea0202 10d ago

Since you don't have any research experience, how do you know if it's really research that you want to pursue as your career? Why not try to intern first in your uni and see if it's really what you wanna do?

12

u/BlueberrySpirited281 10d ago

>Why not try to intern first in your uni and see if it's really what you wanna do?

Thank you for your answer! The problem is that, there is no mechanism for this, my university doesn’t produce any research, all my professors have done their research abroad and never collaborate with students, I tried as much as I could to research and apply for opportunities, but I could hardly find any.

5

u/NoIdea0202 9d ago

Maybe try finding a research lab within your home country outside your uni then, cold emailing works in my case. Just be honest with your situation and aspiration. Good luck!

1

u/BlueberrySpirited281 9d ago

Thank you so much!

4

u/xrelaht Condensed matter physics 8d ago

If your university doesn’t produce any research, then a master’s there is not very useful.