The reflections of a former high energy physicist doing industrial applied mathematics

The author made the transition from an academic position in high energy physics to an industiral position in applied mathematics and analysis in June, 1973. This talk will compare several aspects of these positions, emphasizing the relative intellectual challenge and career satisfaction of the two. In the process, it will demonstrate a much closer similarity in the nature of day to day job activities associated with the positions that might intuitively be expected. The author’s views on the strengths and weaknesses of a typical physics education as preparation for such an industrial position will also be presented.