Introduction

Graduates with an MSc in Physics from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are equipped with a diverse skill set that prepares them for a variety of career paths. This article explores the different trajectories taken by MSc Physics graduates from IITs, including further studies, research positions, academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and government jobs. We also delve into the diverse backgrounds of a few graduates from IIT-Kanpur to illustrate the range of career options available to MSc Physics students after their graduation.

Common Career Trajectories

PhD Programs

Many MSc Physics graduates pursue PhD programs either in India or abroad, focusing on advanced research in theoretical or experimental physics. This path allows them to deepen their knowledge in specific areas and contribute to cutting-edge research.

Research Positions

A significant number take up research positions in national laboratories, research institutes, or private sector RD departments. They work on projects ranging from condensed matter physics to astrophysics and quantum computing.

Academia

Others choose to enter academia, becoming professors or lecturers at universities and colleges. They engage in both teaching and research, contributing to the next generation of physicists and advancing the field through their work.

Industry Jobs

Many MSc Physics graduates find roles in various industries such as technology, finance, and engineering. They work in data science, software development, and engineering roles that require strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Entrepreneurship

Some graduates leverage their technical background to start their own ventures, creating startups in tech or related fields. Entrepreneurship allows them to apply their knowledge to innovative solutions and products.

Government Jobs

A portion of graduates opt for positions in government research organizations or public sector undertakings (PSUs), contributing to national and public sector projects.

Interdisciplinary Fields

Some students transition into interdisciplinary areas such as medical physics, materials science, or environmental science, applying their physics knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Real Examples from IIT-Kanpur

Here are some real-world examples of MSc Physics graduates from IIT-Kanpur, illustrating the diverse career paths they have taken:

PhD and Postdoctoral Positions

Prachet Singh: Completed PhD at Cornell University, is now an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Devanshu Goel: Completed PhD at Caltech, is now an assistant professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. Harsh Srivastava: Completed PhD at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is currently working for an Indian company making advanced scientific lab equipment. Aditya Mehrotra: Works as a senior RD engineer for the same Indian company as Harsh. Rohith Vasudevan: Completed PhD at Harvard University, is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. Shubham Singh: Completed PhD at University of Maryland, is now working with Intel as a technology product engineer. Sukumar Ramachandra: Completed PhD at Max Planck Institute in Dresden, is now a postdoctoral fellow at Boston University. Vignesh Raj: Completed his PhD at TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) and is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Victoria. Bharat Jain: Continued as a research fellow at IITK for a while, then went on to do a joint PhD between Aix-Marseille University and University of Sydney. Vaibhav Misra: Is currently doing a PhD at the University of Cologne.

Industry Roles

Shashi Kant: Started as an analyst and is now a vice president at Goldman Sachs. Sonika Gupta: Moved from an analyst to a data science manager. Deepak Kapoor: Worked as a full-stack developer and is currently in finance.

Academia and Other Roles

Shreya Chaudhary: Worked at IITK first as a research associate and then a placement coordinator. Currently works as a full-stack developer and is in finance. Rohit Sharma: Is now a follower of Nithyananda. Pranay Mehra: Completed a PhD at EPFL and is now a postdoctoral fellow at TU Eindhoven.

Conclusion

The diverse skill set gained during their MSc in Physics at IITs enables graduates to adapt to various fields and roles. Whether they pursue further studies, take up research positions, enter academia, or work in industry, they have many options to explore. This article highlights the variety of career paths taken by some of the MSc Physics graduates from IITs, showcasing the impact and potential of their education in today's fast-paced and dynamic job market.