CLASS OF 2019
Tom Liu
Gap year: comp bio intern for a summer, then year in France. Then physics PhD.
"Enjoy college. Don't study too hard."
Helen Dai
Analyst at Cornerstone Research (economic consulting firm)
Nicholas Scarsdale
PhD in Astronomy (at UC Santa Cruz, probably)
"I would recommend spending undergrad finding something you like over spending undergrad preparing for a predetermined path that you may or may not like. That is, if as a freshman you're 100% sure you want to do a PhD (or get rich in finance, or teach high school physics, or whatever), but then you work in a few types of labs / internships of that sort and absolutely can't stand it, it's more important to try to figure out what makes you happy than let what you used to want dictate your life in the present. This includes ignoring any other physics majors (or anyone else) who are disdainful, implicitly or explicitly, of your decisions."
Stefano Roccasecca
"Physics is fun but having a life is funner."
Paulina Destarac
Analyst at BlackRock (Data Analytics/Machine Learning)
"Don't put off learning how to code (Python, Java, C++, SQL, etc.). If you want or need flexibility in your career choice (international students especially), it will be one of your greatest assets!"
Millie Trimm
MD-PhD at Stanford
"There are days when it's tough and you may question whether you're smart enough to study physics or make it as a scientist. You're not alone. Many of the seniors who appear to be successful have failed exams, struggled with problem sets and frankly, felt inadequate. Physics is hard and it takes a special kind of person to take on the challenge. There are many, many easier things you could have done instead, and I think it's admirable that you chose to push yourself in this direction. However, don't be afraid to ask for help on your darker days, go to office hours, or admit that you're struggling. Your peers are here for you more than you might realize and they're some of the most hard-working and genuine people at Penn. Value them and value yourself."
Andrew Madigan
Part-time dog walker / Free-loader off of Abby's PhD stipend
"Learn Python. Avoid the UGL, but do get to know other physics majors. Resist the urge to double major in physics and math."
Michael Zietz
PhD in Biomedical Informatics at Columbia
"Professors in other fields are very enthusiastic about physics majors."
Aleksandra Kusiak
PhD in Physics at Columbia
"Start your research as early as possible, try different fields, learn Python."
Ali Ghorashi
PhD in Physics at MIT in Condensed Matter Theory
"Be friends with Randy."
Nathan Schor
Working in Major League Baseball
"One of the great things about physics is that many other subjects in academia feel easy in comparison!"
Jonathan Schiff
Public School Teacher in NYC