Every year fewer students are electing to take university level science courses, particularly physics. This situation has led universities and employers to try and encourage more students into science subjects through the development of numerous science outreach initiatives such as guest lectures and summer schools. Much of this work is of an…

An important question that many undergraduate physics students ask is, "What can one do with a physics degree?" Of course there are many answers to this question. Often a general reference to becoming a lawyer is given as a possible answer. This paper is intended to explain the field of patent law and how a physics degree can lead to an…

Biology is the science of life and of how living things work. Our students choose to major in biology in college because of a fascination with understanding how living things function, but often they have difficulty in identifying a career that uses their foundation in biology despite the variety of biology-based careers available. The purpose of…

Presents advice that professors can give to their students on how to obtain quality, positive job or school references. (PR)

Data gathered from a national survey mailed to 55 industries employing large numbers of technical personnel support the notion that the employment market should be broadened for persons receiving their academic training in physics. Alternative curriculum strategies and course subjects are suggested for preparing physicists for industrial…

Describes a program developed at Drew University which uses retired industrial scientists to help prepare undergraduates for careers in science. (CS)

Examines issues related to career choice and career counseling in the biological sciences, stressing self-inventory, development of supporting area, experience in research, flexibility, use of the counseling resources, and active involvement in the career decision process. Provides results of a study profiling alumni career data. (JM)

Describes efforts by the Younger Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society to bridge the gap between university and industry so that college students are familiarized with expectations of business and industry. (CP)

Reviews studies investigating how, when, and why doctors had made their career decisions. Reports on a preliminary questionnaire given to medical students concerning their career decisions. Argues for medical schools to assist students with such decisions, calling on medical teachers to be tutors and mentors in this regard. (TW)

Described is a new university-industry collaboration designed to attack the scientific "pipeline" problem from a materials science perspective. Discussed are the results of a conference that sought to generate interest in graduate study in materials science among well-qualified undergraduates. (KR)

Performance as measured by grades in the first and second semesters of organic chemistry was predicted using pre-college measures (SAT scores, high school rank, validation exams) and college measures (general chemistry GPA, overall college GPA prior to beginning organic chemistry, first-semester organic chemistry GPA). Data indicate that overall…

Describes some of the problems facing female engineers and their career advancement. Discusses strategies for successful networking and mentoring that will help facilitate promotion and lasting friendships in an engineering career. (CW)

A study of 547 science and mathematics majors graduated from a leading women's college found that cohort, major, number of undergraduate science courses, parental encouragement, and career advice from faculty were key factors associated with persistence in science and mathematics after college. (Author/MSE)

The College Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) at Queensborough Community College (QCC) in Bayside, New York, is designed to recruit and assist minority and disadvantaged students and to encourage their enrollment in science, technology, and allied health programs. The program offers academic support services and career information to…