Career Pathways in Quantum

Let the AYCSS help you find your Quantum Career path!

Our goal is to put you ahead of the innovation curve as you consider your career because EVERY industry and career pathway will be impacted by Quantum. In fact by 2027, the global quantum technologies market will reach a minimum value of $42.4 Billion! By 2040, the estimated number of Quantum jobs worldwide is 5.8 million!

Put simply, the emerging industry of Quantum Technology represents long-term security on a long-term career path for not only scientists and engineers, but also business, and even English majors! Adaptability, reinvention, and a multi-disciplinarian mindset will be the pilars to success in the new frontier of Quantum Technology.

"In the 30 years since the creation of OpTeC, we went from effectively having zero high-tech jobs to being recognized worldwide for our unusual high concentration of optics and photonics educators, researchers, and companies. We now are in the early stages of a diligent effort to repeat this success in the fledging quantum field, which is closely allied to and deeply connected to optics and photonics.”

—Joseph Shaw, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor and Director of the Optical Technology Center.

Quantum and Emerging Technologies are so critical that the United Nations declared 2025 the International Quantum Year!

What is Quantum?

Quantum Mechanics is the science of atoms and particles - the building blocks of our Universe. Using Quantum Mechanics, scientists and engineers have created revolutionary technologies that impact our everyday lives. As industry leaders in Quantum Technology shift gears to translate their applied research endeavors into commercial opportunities at scale, they will to need a skilled and diverse Quantum workforce of all talents and expertise.

Whether that’s Quantum sensors to measure gravitational gradients with precision, or the development of next-generation Quantum computing systems for drug discovery and therapeutic optimization, the new frontier of Quantum Technology will impact us all!

To learn more about Quantum Technology and its global impact on industry, check out the 60 Minutes Video below and schedule an appointment with Laura Seitz, our AYCSS career coach specializing in Quantum and other emerging technologies!

How will Quantum and Emerging Technologies Impact Your Major?

How will Quantum and Emerging Technologies Impact Your Career Path?

Even if you are not in a science-related major. Any growing high-tech ecosystem needs not just skilled scientists, engineers and technicians, but also all accompanying support occupations. In fact, for every new tech position, six non-technical jobs are needed such as sales and marketing, customer service and bookkeeping!

Career Readiness:

Building a quantum and emerging technology workforce doesn’t mean graduating more Ph.D.’s.

Career readiness in quantum technology refers to the set of knowledge, skills, and behaviors that enable individuals to effectively enter and succeed in the rapidly evolving quantum technology field. Quantum technology encompasses various domains like quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. It is multidisciplinary and requires a combination of strong foundational knowledge in physics, mathematics, and computer science, along with specialized skills that are specific to quantum systems.

The four critical behaviors or skills needed to succeed in quantum technology:

1. Interdisciplinary Knowledge
2. Complex Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking
3. Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Communication
4. Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Use O*NET Online to check out job opportunities and explore the 50 plus companies in Gallatin Valley alone!

O*NET (the Occupational Information Network) is a free online resource that provides detailed information on over 900 different occupations.  It's designed to help students, job seekers, businesses, and career professionals understand the current job market in the United States.

It explains the skills, qualifications, and tasks involved in each job, and it can help you learn about the education or training required, the job outlook, and other important details. Whether you're exploring career options or looking for job opportunities, ONET has useful information to guide you.

Internship opportunities with Quantum and Emerging Technologies:

AFRL Summer Internship Program

• Universities Space Research Association (USRA) administers a three-pronged approach to strengthening the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce pipeline that includes: the AFRL Scholars Program, AFRL Scholars Professionals, and the University Research and Engagement Program (UREP). This portfolio of enriching programs aligns directly with the Federal STEM Strategy and Department of Defense (DoD) STEM mission for the U.S. Department of the Air Force by offering immersive project-based learning opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows.
  

The Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance Job and Internship Program

• The Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance serves as a hub for Montana’s optics, photonics, and quantum companies, entrepreneurs, laboratories, and universities to commercialize, grow and sustain globally leading organizations that create high quality jobs and economic opportunity in Montana.

Job opportunities with Quantum and Emerging Technologies in the Bozeman Area:

• Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Montana State University
  • Pay information not provided (Full-time)
• Experienced Laser Technician
  • Lumibird, Bozeman, MT
  • Associate’s degree in higher in Physics, Engineering or an equivalent degree from a technical school in electronics, optics or physical science
  • $31-36 an hour (Full-time)
• Photonics Technician
  • S2 Corporation, Bozeman, MT
  • Demonstrated knowledge of laser systems, optics and eletro-optics
  • Pay information not provided (Full-time)
• Microwave Photonics Engineer
  • S2 Corporation, Bozeman, MT
  • Pay information not provided (Full-time)
• North America Business Development Manager
  • Lumibird Photonics USA, Inc., Remote in Bozeman, MT
  • 85,000-95,000 (Full-time)
• Crystal Growth Engineer
  • Teledyne Technologies Inc., Bozeman, MT
  • Pay information not provided (Full-time)

Quantum & Emerging Technologies News and Research