High School: 

• Take math classes and the physical science class (if it is offered at your school). 
• Read the book "Chaos" by James Gleick.
• If your school has a weather or geology club, join it.

College at Walla Walla University: 

• Freshman year:  Take the calculus sequence and programming.
• Sophomore year:  Start working on a small research project under the direction of a WWU faculty member as time allows.
• Junior year:  Take Biophysics and Astrophysics as two of your electives.  You might also consider taking a biology class such as Ecology or Biostatics.
• Summer after Junior year:  Do a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) with an climatology or earth science emphasis.
• Senior year:  Present at a department event about your summer research.  Apply to graduate schools with climatology or earth science programs.

Graduate School:

• Option 1:  Do a PhD in Physics with emphasis in Climatology, Earth or Atmospheric Science.
• Option 2:  Do a PhD in Climatology, Earth or Atmospheric Science.

Job Options:

• Climatology career options include working for the Nation Weather Service, state, and non-profit organizations.
• Atmospheric career options include working for aviation companies as well as the climatology companies.
• The highest paying jobs in the earth science will be working for oil and natural gas companies helping them find new areas to drill.
• Other earth science jobs involve earth quake tracking and studying volcanoes.  

High School: 

• Take as much math as you can.  Ideally you will be ready for calculus as you start college. 
• Read books about scientists, astronauts, and space.
• If an astronomy club exists in your area, join it.

College at Walla Walla University: 

• Freshman year:  Take the calculus sequence and programming.
• Sophomore year:  Start working on a small research project under the direction of a WWU faculty member as time allows.  You might consider taking a chemistry minor.
• Junior year:  Take Astrophysics and Optics as two of your electives.  Also take your choice of Robotics, Mechanics of Flight, Welding, Machining, etc.
• Summer after Junior year:  Do a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) with an astrophysics emphasis.
• Senior year:  Present at a department event about your summer research.  Apply to graduate schools with ties to space programs.

Graduate School:

• Option 1:  Do a PhD in Physics with emphasis on Astrophysics.
• Option 2:  Do a PhD in Material Science.
• Option 3:  Do a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.

Job Options:

• Designing the next, best telescope for space or ground will require physicists who know about light, electronics, and optics.  It could be you.
• Spacecraft will be needed for exploration.  Physicists will need to work out better methods of propulsion.  Rocket engines take too much fuel which weighs too much.
• Spacecraft will need better skins to withstand the harsh conditions of space.  Nanotechnology and material science breakthroughs will be needed.
• Better heating systems, suits for astronauts, recovery systems .... the list goes on and on.  Physicists will be on the front lines of all this development.

High School: 

• Take as much math as you can.
• If your school has classes in a machine shop (welding, wood working, etc), take them.
• Read books about airplanes.
• Buy or build a Radio Controlled plane, join a RC club, and fly whenever you can.

College at Walla Walla University: 

• Freshman year:  Take the calculus sequence and programming.  Take an electives in welding or machining.
• Sophomore year:  Start working on a small research project under the direction of a WWU faculty member as time allows.
• Junior year:  In addition to your required classes take Robotics and Mechanics of Flight.
• Summer after Junior year:  Do a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) with an aviation emphasis (Boeing would be an excellent place to apply).
• Senior year:  Present at a department event about your summer research.  Apply to graduate schools with ties to aviation programs.

Graduate School:

• Option 1:  Do a PhD in Physics with an emphasis in computation or material science.
• Option 2:  Do a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
• Option 3:  Do a PhD in Material Science.

Job Options:

• Aviation companies like Boeing hires physicists to think beyond the ordinary.  You could be tasked with developing a better wing material, a better design for the shape of the wing, or placement of the engine.  The sky is the limit.
• In a drone company, you might get a job working on the control software for the drone or maybe you might be responsible for the design of the airframe or the antenna.
• In a battery company, physicists work along side chemists and material scientists to design batteries that hold more charge in less volume or weight.

High School: 

• Take as much math as you can.
• Take as many computer classes as you can.
• Join a computer programming club if it is available.

College at Walla Walla University: 

• Freshman year:  Take the calculus sequence and programming.  You might consider added a minor in computers.
• Sophomore year:  Start working on a small research project under the direction of a WWU faculty member as time allows.
• Junior year:  As your electives, take Physical Science and Nanotechnology.
• Summer after Junior year:  Do a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) with an Nanotechnology emphasis.
• Senior year:  Present at a department event about your summer research.  Apply to graduate schools.

Graduate School:

• Option 1:  Do a PhD in Physics with an emphasis in computation or material science.
• Option 2:  Do a PhD in Computer Science.
• Option 3:  Do a PhD in Material Science.

Job Options:

The High-Tech industry, including companies like Intel, Applied Materials, and Samsung, employs physicists in many different roles.  Here are just a few:

• Equipment designer for building the equipment that builds the next generation processing chips and memory chips used in phones and computers.
• Process scientist working on the chip design making sure each step in the chip build can be done.
• Vacuum designer building better pumps to get more contamination out of the build area.
• Vibration specialist working to minimize vibrations during chip building.
• Programming the build tools to maximize yield and reduce waste.

High School: 

• Take as much math as you can.
• Take a physical science if your school has one.

College at Walla Walla University: 

• Freshman year:  Take the calculus sequence and programming.  You might consider added a minor in chemistry.
• Sophomore year:  Start working on a small research project under the direction of a WWU faculty member as time allows.
• Junior year:  As your electives, take Physical Science and Nanotechnology.  You might also consider taking an energy class or two from the engineering department.
• Summer after Junior year:  Do a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) with an energy emphasis.
• Senior year:  Present at a department event about your summer research.  Apply to graduate schools.

Graduate School:

• Option 1:  Do a PhD in Physics with an emphasis in material science.
• Option 2:  Do a PhD in Physics with an emphasis in nuclear power.
• Option 3:  Do a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
• Option 4:  Do a PhD in Material Science.

Job Options:

• Work for a semiconductor company researching new methods of making solar cells.
• Work a company like GE to design improvements for energy systems such as windmills, generators, or transformers.
• Design nuclear reactors by working for the government or in private industry.