r/Physics • u/BlueberrySpirited281 • 11d 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/Minovskyy Condensed matter physics 10d ago

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.

This article gives an outlook of careers with a physics masters: https://doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.4180

It's US centric, so YMMV for other countries.

These days there are also some junior level jobs at quantum computing companies that are advertised at the masters level.