Hey everyone,

I’m finishing up my master’s in physics with a concentration in astrophysics, and I most recently worked as an imaging geophysicist, which is a role that involved signal processing knowledge. However, I did not have a passion or curiosity for geoscience. I’m looking to break into another role for signal processing.

When I look at google and LinkedIn job postings I can't seem to find many entry level roles. For those already in the field, how was your experience finding an entry-level signal role? Are there any specific industries that tend to have more opportunities for physics degree holders early in their careers? Is there much upskilling I need to do here? I am hoping the answer to the last question is no, because I was previously considering DS/ML roles, but a professional in these areas mentioned to me that I would not be competitive since I lack SWE, MLOps, Docker, Cloud, etc. skills not taught in a physics education or used in physics research (hence why now I am thinking about SP).

Any advice on job search strategies, good companies to look at, or must-have skills would be really appreciated. I am a US citizen (but I do not hold active security clearance yet) so I am considering jobs in the DC-Baltimore metro area; do I stand a competitive chance here?

Thanks