What does your day-to-day actually look like?
“Way less lecture-hall physics than people expect. Most of my time is in the lab running experiments at extremely low temperatures, or at my desk analyzing data and debugging code. Maybe two hours a week are spent in an actual classroom, if that.”
What’s your path been?
Maya majored in physics as an undergrad, spent two summers doing research through an REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program, and applied directly to PhD programs — funded positions where you’re paid a modest stipend to do research while earning your doctorate.
What do you wish you’d known in high school?
“That research is mostly about tolerating being confused and wrong for long stretches of time. In class, physics problems always have a clean answer you’re moving toward. Real research usually doesn’t — you’re finding out what’s even true in the first place, and 90% of your ideas won’t pan out. That’s normal, not a sign you’re bad at this.”
Advice for a curious high schooler
“Don’t wait for permission to try research. Email a professor at a local university, even if you think you’re not ready — the worst case is they say no or don’t reply. I did that as a junior and it’s the reason I ended up in this field at all.”