Careers and Outcomes
Our physics alumni enjoy professional success in a variety of exciting and rewarding career fields.
Whether you want a career in physics, astronomy, atmospheric science, engineering, science education, materials science, nuclear science—or even dentistry, medicine, or law—a physics major from Elmhurst will propel you in the right direction.
Our alumni have achieved great success in a variety of professional positions. They include:
- Paul W. McAndrews, J.D. ’01, attorney with McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
- Bernard D. Szilagyi ’98, engineer at Microwave Systems, Inc.
- Consolato Gattuso ’96, deputy head of the Accelerator Division Recycler Department at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
- Jeffrey A. Tieman ’94, physics teacher at Main West High School in Des Plaines, Ill.
- Craig A. Blue, Ph.D. ’89, materials researcher and head of the Infrared Processing Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Donna M. Walters ’88, systems analyst at AT&T Bell Laboratories
- Jang-Kyung Noh ’84, electrical engineer with McDonnell Douglas Corporation
- Cheryl A. Blanck ’84, medical physics consultant and founder of Medical Imaging Sciences, Inc.
- Sandra J. Shimkus ’80, materials failure analyst with Varian Associates
- Mary Victoria Frohne Ph.D., ’78, associate professor of physics at Holy Cross College
- Harry J. Augensen, Ph.D. ’73, physics and astronomy professor at Widener University in Pa.
- Terrence D. Lagerlund, Ph.D., M.D. ’71, neurology professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Sequential Degree Alternative
An alternative chosen by many students interested in electrical, mechanical, or nuclear engineering or materials science, is to complete a physics degree at Elmhurst and then go to graduate school for one or two additional years to obtain a master’s degree in an engineering specialty.
There are two advantages to this approach:
- The student receives two sequential degrees rather than two degrees at the same level.
- A strong student can usually obtain an assistantship or fellowship to cover tuition and expenses during the period of graduate study.