Greg Stasiewicz optimizes Physics Today ’s online presence

“What can physicists do? ” is an interview series that profiles physicists who opted for careers outside of academia.

What were you looking for in a job?

I entered college thinking I would do a PhD. But physics was hard, and by the time I graduated, I had no idea what I wanted to do. For a couple of years, I worked a variety of jobs—as a barista, compiling traffic reports for a radio station, coaching soccer at a kids’ summer camp.

I decided I needed to find a real job. I was interested in nonprofits, and I applied to be assistant chief of staff at a company. They offered me a position as Web manager—in high school and college, I had built websites for clubs. I was there four years.

How did you get to Physics Today?

I was poking around the PT Jobs board. They were hiring for a digital Web specialist position. I was well suited because of my Web technical capabilities. My physics background was a cherry on top. I came to PT in 2012.

How do you spend your time?

I mostly focus on managing and improving PT ’s presence online and the experience for readers of PT online. I do a mix of data analytics, trying to understand what happens with our content and what users do with it, and development work—coding—to improve various processes and provide new capabilities.

I have been working with others to set up automations to make our editors’ lives easier. And I represent PT with AIP’s website development team. [The American Institute of Physics publishes Physics Today.] For that, I pass on requests and bring ideas in terms of best practices for how to present the magazine online.

How do you use your physics?

It helps me contextualize the content I manage. I have also written a few things for PT and passed on story ideas to my colleagues.

What new skills have you needed?

I have a programming background, but I was unfamiliar with creating data visualizations. I taught myself Python. Now I am teaching myself project management skills. I am always learning new things.

What do you like most about your work?

I love diving into details while also thinking on a broad, high level. My days are not overly routine. And I love being back in the physics community.