  "So what do you do? I mean, what do you actually do?" This is one of the most
common questions one theoretical physicist receives from her students, and is
representative of a common curiosity among aspiring physicists. Students often
misunderstand what different types of physicists actually do. For many, the
term "theoretical physicist" likely conjures mental images of Einstein,
Feynman, or Sheldon Cooper discerning the underlying operating principles of
the universe, armed with only pencil and paper. Such imagery is representative
of the "lone genius" stereotype many students ascribe to physicists. However,
this common perception of physicists is known to discourage students,
particularly underrepresented gender and racial groups, from pursuing it as a
career. Moreover, students of all demographic backgrounds may avoid physics if
they feel they do not understand what different kinds of physicists do on a
daily basis. Therefore, providing students with an accurate depiction of the
skills, practices, motivations, and daily routines in different types physics
careers is essential for helping them make decisions about their future. In
this article, we offer students a glimpse into what a career in theoretical
physics is like. Through interviews with 11 practicing theoretical physics
faculty, we reveal a variety of misconceptions theorists believe students hold
about their work. Addressing these misconceptions will provide students with
important details to consider as they navigate their career decision process.
