SPS: A Partner on Your Professional Journey

As someone who has spent much of my career working with undergraduate physics and astronomy students, I understand how exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, it can feel to think about the next steps in your journey. My own experiences pursuing advanced study, combined with years of service and engagement through SPS, have reinforced how important mentorship, community, and access to resources can be during this stage of life. One of the things I value most about SPS is the opportunity to support students as they explore their futures, connect with professionals and peers, and discover the many paths available within physics and astronomy.

In this special graduate school edition of the SPS Observer, we share insights, resources, and encouragement to help you be more informed and confident about whatever comes next. With that in mind, I want to highlight two of SPS’s objectives (see page 6 for the full list) that, as president, I work to advance:

• Stimulate interest in advance study and research in physics and astronomy.
• Provide liaison between students and the member societies of the American Institute of Physics.

Stimulate interest in advance study and research in physics and astronomy. Do you want to be a professor or researcher at a government or industrial lab? These positions usually require advanced study and research experience in physics, astronomy, or a related field that can only be obtained by completing a PhD graduate program.

I majored in physics and math as an undergraduate. I liked physics the best and thought that I might want to be a physics professor someday, so I did all the things that were recommended at the time: gained research experience through two Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs, took the General and Physics Graduate Record Examinations (GREs), worked to revive our SPS chapter to build my leadership skills, and cultivated relationships with professors. In the end, I applied to eight PhD programs, was accepted to four, and chose one which had several areas of research that I was interested in.

However, that was several decades ago. To get a sense of what students should do in the current environment, I checked in with two first-year graduate students and former SPS National Council members: Leo Illing, now studying physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Jacob Callebs, now studying astrophysics at the University of Oklahoma.

Leo advises undergraduates to look at ads for jobs that they could see themselves holding. If those jobs require a PhD, he said, then going to graduate school may be a good move. However, he noted that the first year of grad school is mostly coursework, and it’s important not to arrive burned out. He knows several students who delayed grad school, opting for another STEM experience first, and said this path didn’t put them at a disadvantage.

Jacob recommended that students planning to apply to graduate school get on top of their applications early, at least the summer before they are due. He also recommended using a spreadsheet to track programs and advisors of interest, due dates, fees, and other important notes. Talking to your research advisor or other professors in your current program is a good way to get recommendations for advisors elsewhere, he said. He wants students to know that getting into grad school is a competitive process, so applying to multiple programs is advisable, and that some programs will waive application fees on request.

Both Jacob and Leo noted that the GREs are no longer required by all programs, so you may not need to take them (check with the programs you’re interested in to be sure!). Leo also strongly recommended reaching out to specific professors or groups that you are interested in working with before applying. And after receiving an offer, Jacob suggested reaching out to current graduate students to gain insights about the transition into that program.

Where can SPS fit in? Leo said that his SPS activities gave him unique experiences to talk about on his applications. He also valued being part of the SPS community of students and PhD physicists and the sense of belonging it provided, in addition to opportunities to develop networking, communication, and leadership skills. Jacob highlighted that he learned about graduate school resources via the SPS and AIP GradSchoolShopper.com website (see page 30).

If you’re thinking about graduate school but don’t know anyone who does what you want to do, I encourage you to visit the SPS/Sigma Pi Sigma Alumni Engagement Program (students.aip.org/find-a-mentor). You can connect to alumni who have been through grad school and may be able to advise you on your journey.

Provide liaison between students and the member societies of the American Institute of Physics.
SPS is part of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), a federation of member organizations in the physical sciences (aip.org/federation). As a result, SPS members receive membership in two of ten other professional societies as part of their annual dues.

Why is it important to be part of a professional society? These societies sponsor conferences, publish journals, maintain professional standards, and provide networking and education opportunities. If you become a PhD physicist or astronomer, you will likely be part of several of these during your career. Joining now can give you a peek into current research in your areas of interest, who is doing that research, and hot topics in the field. This background information can be invaluable as you decide whether and where to apply for graduate school and articulate how you can contribute to a field.

Whether you decide to go to graduate school or not, I hope this issue can help you move into the next stage of your career. Please reach out to me or the SPS National Office if you have questions or need more information about SPS resources. We are here for you! //