Careers and Study After Cornell Careers and Study After Cornell PhysicsPhysics

A Career in H.S.A Career in H.S.

Physics TeachingPhysics TeachingMarty Alderman, Physics Teacher!Marty Alderman, Physics Teacher!

PhysTEC TIR (Teacher In Residence)PhysTEC TIR (Teacher In Residence)

101 Clark Hall101 Clark Hall 607.255.8158607.255.8158

mda35@cornell.edumda35@cornell.edu

The Next StepThe Next StepGraduate SchoolGraduate School

ResearchResearchTeachingTeaching

Other CareersOther Careers

Picking A CollegePicking A College

o LocationLocationo SizeSizeo Broad field of interestBroad field of interesto PrestigePrestigeo CostCosto Social climateSocial climateo Weather (OK, maybe not for Cornell)Weather (OK, maybe not for Cornell)

Picking A CareerPicking A Career

o Interesting WorkInteresting Worko Meaningful WorkMeaningful Worko Control of WorkControl of Worko Sufficient IncomeSufficient Incomeo Quality BenefitsQuality Benefitso Secure BenefitsSecure Benefitso Job SecurityJob Securityo Job ChoiceJob Choiceo Location ChoiceLocation Choice

o Vacation TimeVacation Timeo Flexible TimeFlexible Timeo Compatible w/ Compatible w/

FamilyFamilyo StatusStatuso PensionPensiono Opportunities For Opportunities For

AdvancementAdvancemento Work LoadWork Load

The Teacher’s WorkThe Teacher’s Work

►You’re a PHYSICS teacher! You’re a PHYSICS teacher!

You have the best toys!You have the best toys!►Every student is different, and a new Every student is different, and a new

opportunity. Teaching is opportunity. Teaching is notnot boring! boring!►The students have energy that is The students have energy that is

contagiouscontagious►You are in control of your own work spaceYou are in control of your own work space►You are appreciated (most of the time) by You are appreciated (most of the time) by

students, parents, and the community students, parents, and the community

The Teacher’s WorkThe Teacher’s Work

Extracurricular activities help make work Extracurricular activities help make work even more interesting and fun!even more interesting and fun!

►Science OlympiadScience Olympiad (My students came in second in the (My students came in second in the NationNation

in the Wright Stuff event, and Forth overall in the Wright Stuff event, and Forth overall this year! Sometimes teachers get to brag this year! Sometimes teachers get to brag a little!)a little!)

►Authentic Science Research Authentic Science Research NY State Jr. Science & Humanities SymposiumNY State Jr. Science & Humanities Symposium Westinghouse Science Talent SearchWestinghouse Science Talent Search

►Team America Rocketry ChallengeTeam America Rocketry Challenge

The Teacher’s WorkThe Teacher’s Work

►No Illusions:No Illusions: The work is not easy (but you’re used to The work is not easy (but you’re used to

that!)that!) Grading papers is time consumingGrading papers is time consuming There are limited opportunities for There are limited opportunities for

AdvancementAdvancement There are times when you have to work There are times when you have to work

with students and parents with serious with students and parents with serious ‘issues’‘issues’

The Teacher’s WorkThe Teacher’s Work

►BUT:BUT: You can make a huge difference in the You can make a huge difference in the

lives of a lot of people!!!lives of a lot of people!!! Your work is some of the most meaningful Your work is some of the most meaningful

work there is.work there is. Your work is always interesting.Your work is always interesting.

The Teaching Job MarketThe Teaching Job Market

►There is a critical shortage of physics There is a critical shortage of physics teachers worldwide.teachers worldwide. You can choose where you want to live, You can choose where you want to live,

including international schools.including international schools. You can choose the kind of school you want You can choose the kind of school you want

to teach in (rural, suburban, urban).to teach in (rural, suburban, urban). Some places are even offering finder’s fees Some places are even offering finder’s fees

and signing bonuses. (Eat your heart out, and signing bonuses. (Eat your heart out, athletes!)athletes!)

You can definitely feel needed.You can definitely feel needed.

Quality BenefitsQuality Benefits

►Tuition reimbursementTuition reimbursement►Funding to attend conferencesFunding to attend conferences►Sufficient income … comparable to Sufficient income … comparable to

salaries at many colleges!salaries at many colleges!►Health insurance equal to or better Health insurance equal to or better

than industrythan industry►A very good pension planA very good pension plan

Family FriendlyFamily Friendly

►This may not be first on your mind at This may not be first on your mind at the moment, but teachers are done the moment, but teachers are done with scheduled time at roughly the with scheduled time at roughly the time kids would get home from school.time kids would get home from school.

►You have great vacation time that You have great vacation time that matches vacation for the kids. (In matches vacation for the kids. (In industry you start with 1-2 weeks … industry you start with 1-2 weeks … Max!)Max!)

VACATIONVACATION

►Did I mention vacation time?!Did I mention vacation time?! It is flexible time for you.It is flexible time for you. Some choose to teach summer school for extra Some choose to teach summer school for extra

incomeincome Some take graduate courses for advancementSome take graduate courses for advancement Some attend summer workshopsSome attend summer workshops Some work odd jobs that they choose to take on.Some work odd jobs that they choose to take on. Some just enjoy the free time and time with their Some just enjoy the free time and time with their

families. families.

SecuritySecurity

►There is NO WAY your job will be There is NO WAY your job will be ‘shipped overseas’!!! You are needed ‘shipped overseas’!!! You are needed right here. Can industry say that?right here. Can industry say that?

►Once you have tenure, you can’t be Once you have tenure, you can’t be fired without cause just to hire fired without cause just to hire someone at lower pay.someone at lower pay.

►Your retirement pension fund can’t be Your retirement pension fund can’t be raided like in so many industries today.raided like in so many industries today.