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Answer to Question #4995 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Radiation Safety Careers — Academic Education Opportunities The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
A couple of years ago I graduated from college with a BS in
physics and astronomy. Since then I have been trying to figure out what
to do with my life. I recently began considering health physics as an
option but I am not exactly sure what sort of positions to look for. I have
studied some nuclear physics and radiation issues. However, I have no
experience in health physics. What sort of entry-level health physics
positions would a person like me be qualified for? Any other advice
or information you could provide to help me get a start in this field
would be greatly appreciated.
A
Although many individuals have started in the profession of health physics without specific academic training in the discipline and eventually developed lucrative careers, it is difficult for me to recommend this approach. I say this simply because you will be assuming responsibilities for which you have little or no preparation. In a general sense, you may, in fact, be entering a situation where you are assigned responsibilities for radiation protection without anyone else to mentor you in this area, which implies an opportunity to fail. I don't think it is appropriate to set someone up for failure but rather we like to see folks succeed. So unless you can find an employer who is really interested in a true entry-level position in which the employer is willing to provide substantial training opportunities and a tremendous amount of mentoring, I would not recommend this approach—despite the fact that the demand for professionals in this discipline far outstrips supply. I recommend that you consider a different approach. Consider graduate
school. There are several high-quality graduate programs in health
physics throughout the United States. Most of the graduate programs
that I'm aware of provide a number of opportunities for support as
teaching assistants or research assistants. Further there are also many
opportunities for fellowships of which you could take advantage. Check
out the Health Physics Academic Programs
throughout the United States. Many of these are ABET (Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited which is at least one
measure of quality. This may be a very good approach for someone like
yourself who in your own words is "trying to figure out what to do with
my life."
Incidentally, if you for any number of reasons feel that you must
absolutely begin your effort at a health physics career immediately
there is a very good description of the profession and its many
different endeavors on the Health Physics Society Web site.
Answer posted on 2 December 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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