I work at One Physics Ellipse, in a four-story building of
physics organizations. This is pretty unusual, because most physicists who work
outside academia are in companies where there are just a few (or one)
physicists. This has been quite a different experience for me personally.
Although I worked at universities before this, in physics departments, I didn’t
always feel part of the department. My research was in physics education, and
it is not always the case that other physicists consider that to be “real”
physics. I thought it was – I had to take the same classes and pass the same qualifying
exam, and I think like a physicist. I’ve even been involved in some rather
heated debates with physics professors about whether people like me should be
part of their department (and that was at a party, which is to say I wasn’t quite
prepared). At my new job, I almost never have to convince people that I’m a
physicist – it’s in the name of my organization, even in the name of the street
I work on. And I like that.
4 comments:
I like that too!
Do you think that has anything to do with gender? I hope not but I can't help but think of it.
Alexis, that's a good question. I'm sure that's also a bit of it. If you see women (non-students) in physics departments, too much of the time it's because they are administrative workers and not professors. It's impossible for me not to notice that I don't look "like a physicist". (And even I have that stereotype in my brain; it's just part of the culture.)
You could not do your job if you were not a physicist and I am sure you're employer is happy with you.
One has to question the self-confidence and self-image of these 'physicists" who need to create an exclusively defined class to give them status.
Post a Comment