In the article, Students Mirror looks at the various career opportunities in physics education in Nigeria. This article is written to educate physics education graduates to know where they can work.
Although graduates of physics education programs are primarily certified physics teachers who have been trained to effectively engage students in the understanding of physics. But beyond teaching, the experience and skills of graduates of physics education are also needed in different sectors.
There are ample career opportunities for physics educators in Nigeria. If you’re thinking that physics education graduates are only employed to teach secondary school physics, then you’re far from reality. The knowledge of Bachelor’s degree holders in Physics Education is needed in various sectors too.
Sometimes, the graduates of physics education may say there’s no job. This is because they failed to explore other opportunities where their knowledge is needed. So, in order to inform you, Students Mirror has compiled a list of career opportunities for physics education graduates in Nigeria.
What is Physics Education?
Physics education is a subfield in science education, which primarily focuses on the teaching and learning of physics both at school and the tertiary Education level. It’s concerned with physics teachers’ ability to inculcate the understanding of Physics to students.
Importance of Physics Education
- Physics education enhances one’s awareness and skills.
- Problem-Solving Capability
- To foster logical thinking and the ability to think critically.
- For Technological Progress
- For Intellectual Growth
Without much ado, below are some of the career opportunities for Physics Education graduates in Nigeria.
10 Careers In Physics Education In Nigeria
- Accelerator Operator
Graduates in Physics Education can work as Accelerator Operators. They’re responsible for supervising or operating complex particle accelerator devices and associated equipment. They make experimental setups as needed. They record and analyze experimental data as well as perform other necessary related duties.
An accelerator operator can also work directly with the physicist as well as a research team running an experiment to ensure that all the parameters of the experiment are accounted for and set. Other duties of an accelerator operator are to calibrate the systems, make any adjustments to the particle beam before running the test, review the schedule, and help in analyzing the outcome.
- Applications Engineer
An applications engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. These workers work throughout the software development life cycle by supporting application design, analyzing, developing, and testing processes. Applications Engineers coordinate and assist in product development by focusing on application development from both a technical and a user perspective.
They also have an understanding of writing and structuring source code, but they generally do not program or create core software code. Their duties are to test applications, evaluate testing and work with other members of the team to modify and improve the software. They also have skills in engineering applications to be waste free. They also design, execute, direct, and coordinate the application development technical documentation.
- Data Analyst
A physics education graduate can work as a data analyst. These analysts’ duties are to gather, clean, and study data sets to help profess solutions to problems. They also do the job of collecting, cleaning, and interpreting data sets in order to properly answer a question or solve a task. They serve in many industries such as business, finance, science, medicine, and criminal justice, belonging to organizations belonging to the government or private individuals.
- Design Engineer
A design engineer’s duties are to work on engineering design processes in engineering disciplines that include manufacturing, systems, civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, textiles, aerospace, and others. They are likely to work on products and systems that involve adapting and using sophisticated scientific and mathematical techniques.
A design engineer can also work with a team of other engineers and other types of designers, such as industrial designers, to develop detailed designs to ensure that a product functions. They are also likely to work with marketers to develop the product concept and specifications to meet customer needs.
- Teacher of Secondary School Physics
Physics Education graduates can work as teachers. They are certified to teach physics to secondary school pupils. With a bachelor’s degree in Education (Physics), you’re eligible to get employed in any secondary school, private or government-owned.
- IT Consultant
An IT consultant has the duty of working with organizations or institutions that use technology systems to operate their businesses. They are technology professionals who provide support to clients during technological projects. Many IT consultants can get employed by a consultancy firm, or they can also operate as independent contractors and choose their own projects.
IT consultants can also keep their clients up-to-date on new technology. They’re responsible for helping businesses and organizations manage their technology use.
- Laboratory Technician
A Physics Education graduate can work as a lab technician. A laboratory technician works in a laboratory by performing analytical or experimental procedures, maintaining laboratory equipment, and assisting scientists with their work. They can be found in a wide range of scientific fields, such as forensic science, pathology, chemistry, biomedical science, and others. They can work as laboratory assistants.
- Laser Engineer
A laser engineer specializes in equipment that makes lasers and lasers themselves. They are responsible for monitoring the laser systems, optimizing the output of the lasers, and more. They can also work on developing documentation on how to operate and maintain the equipment and train other technicians.
- Optical Engineer
Optical engineers conduct research, design, and test devices that use cameras, lasers, and microscopes, among others. They’re responsible for using light properties and other materials to produce, control, and manipulate light for use in high-tech devices. They can also work with observatories, helping with maintaining telescopes and testing other astronomical instruments.
- Technical Specialist
Technical specialist duties involve working with network analysts to review, diagnose, and handle technical problems in relation to computer networking operations. A technical specialist is responsible for coordinating an organization’s technology use.
Career Prospects in Physics Education.
Other career prospects as well as opportunities in physics education include the following:
- Test engineer
A physics education graduate can work as a test engineer. These are the personnel who determine how to best create a process that would test a particular product in manufacturing and related disciplines. They’re responsible for determining the best way a test can be performed in order to achieve adequate test coverage.
- Accelerator Operator
Accelerator operators’ duties involve using accelerator machines to bombard atomic particles for study and research. They’ll stay updated with all the latest machines, their technology, and maintenance.
- Materials Scientist
A material scientist is involved in the investigation of the structure and properties of natural and synthetic materials. They study the structure of these materials and they also establish new ways of improving these materials for better uses.
- Cyclotron Engineer
A Principal Cyclotron Engineer’s duties cover aspects pertaining to the monitoring, training, planning, and execution of particle accelerator operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance, while actively managing the activities within the constraints of limited production downtime and available department resources, in order to meet internal customer demands for bulk radiopharmaceutical production.
However, if you’re interested in knowing how to study physics education in Nigeria, you can check out the requirements.