About the Cover

Many students in the physical sciences may perceive academia as the default career path. But a majority of people with degrees in physics (and related fields) go into the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. This year’s careers issue explores eight diverse journeys into nonacademic jobs, skills in demand for private-sector positions, and ways that professional societies can help early-career scientists as they embark on their journeys in both nonacademic and academic settings. (Design by Masie Chong with artwork adapted from iStock.com artists ilyaliren, SpicyTruffel, VectorMine, appleuzr, spiralmedia, fleaz, Margi, and Giorgi Gogitidze.)