Interview With A Physics Major

A physics major involves the scientific study of matter, energy, space, and time which can lead to many unique career paths. From working in fields like technology, engineering, and healthcare, this degree can take you far. To dive deeper into the intricacies of this major, I interviewed Pratik Home, a research scientist who spends his time supervising projects, connecting with clients, and writing reports. I asked Dr. Home a series of questions regarding his chosen undergraduate major and current career path, and here are his responses:

What school did you attend for your undergraduate degree?

"I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of North Bengal, India."

What was your undergraduate major?

"Physics."

What is your current occupation, and how did your undergraduate major prepare you for your career?

"I am a research scientist working for a company that conducts preclinical drug testing. Our role is to assess potential drug candidates for their suitability to advance to the next stage of development. My undergraduate major actually had no direct relation to what I do now. I had no idea I would end up in this field while I was in college!"

There are numerous types of professional research out there, so if you know research is where you want to end up, your are sure to find a lab that piques your interest. Additionally, you can pursue a career in research that is unrelate to your undergraduate major. You major can set you up for success in a certain field, but it by no means limits you to said field.

What does a regular day in your occupation look like?

"My primary responsibility is to supervise projects for our pharmaceutical or university clients. I serve as the interface between our company and the client, ensuring that all projects comply with FDA, EMA, or ICH regulations. My daily tasks mostly involve reviewing lab work, analyzing and interpreting data, and writing or reviewing reports and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Beyond that, my days are typically filled with meetings."

Work in a research laboratory doesn't necessarily mean mixing materials together and watching chemical reactions. Dr. Home's work focuses on the actual analyzation of data and interactions with clients. This proves how many unique responsibilities lab work entails, which are sure to keep your daily work interesting.

Did you do any additional schooling after undergraduate school for your occupation? (If so, then what school/program and how long did it take?)

"Yes, I pursued further education after my undergraduate degree. I first completed a two-year Master of Science program in Biophysics, which marked my transition into the biological sciences. Following that, I was awarded a five-year fellowship and joined the PhD program at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, where my focus shifted entirely to biology. After earning my PhD in Biochemistry, I moved to KU Med for my postdoctoral research. Eventually, I transitioned to a junior faculty position before moving into the industry."

There are many different paths you can take after receiving your undergraduate major, but Dr. Home's path contained 2 years of a Science Masters program, 5 years of a fellowship/PhD program, and postdoctoral research. This breadth of education helped his transition from a physics undergraduate degree into a career in the biological sciences.

What was your favorite aspect of your undergraduate major?

"My favorite subject was electronics. I loved my lab work, as hands-on experiments were and still are fascinating for me."

It is important to take your educational interests into account when selecting a major and university. For instance, if you are like Dr. Home and love hands-on experiments, you should select a program that offers said experiments, so you can truly enjoy your major.

What was the most challenging part of your undergraduate major?

"Physics is an old, traditional subject. Sometimes it would feel boring since we were still learning things that happened 70 or 80 years ago. I also didn't like the theoretical physics part much."

What made you choose your undergraduate major?

"My college had a good physics program, and I had always wanted to major in chemistry or physics."