How Can Electrical Engineering Enhance Your Understanding of Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the intersection of electrical engineering and physics, particularly focusing on how an electrical engineering student can navigate their interest in physics. Participants explore personal experiences, career considerations, and the implications of switching fields or maintaining a dual interest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that pursuing physics can be a personal decision influenced by one's passion and circumstances, such as financial considerations and career aspirations.
  • There are varying opinions on the feasibility of switching from electrical engineering to physics, with some noting successful transitions while others caution about potential challenges.
  • Participants discuss the importance of enjoying one's work and the impact of personal satisfaction on career choices, emphasizing that financial success may follow passion.
  • One participant humorously acknowledges a stereotype about engineers being "crackpots," while another engages with this comment in a light-hearted manner.
  • There are suggestions to start teaching physics at a level one is comfortable with as a way to engage with the subject.
  • A few participants express concern about reviving old threads, indicating a meta-discussion about forum etiquette.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects a range of perspectives without a clear consensus. Participants agree on the importance of personal interest and circumstances in making career decisions, but they present differing views on the practicality of switching fields and the financial implications of pursuing physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various personal backgrounds and experiences, which may influence their views. There is an acknowledgment of the subjective nature of career satisfaction and the potential financial trade-offs involved in pursuing physics over engineering.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for electrical engineering students considering a shift to physics, those interested in the interplay between these fields, and individuals contemplating their career paths in STEM disciplines.

string_theory
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I am an electrical engineering student...

but I have a deep interest in physics...
what would you advice me to do?
 
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Originally posted by string_theory
I am an electrical engineering student...
but I have a deep interest in physics...
what would you advice me to do?

Follow your own lead.

You can keep physics as a hobby, or try to switch to it. You will find examples of people that successfully jumped from EE or Computer Eng into Physics, as well as the other way around. Some may have had an extremely hard time, some may tell you not to switch, some may encourage you as if that was a magic way to happiness...

You cannot base this on statistics. It is an important personal decision.

That said, here are some things to consider:

- How good you are at math (physics' math, of course, as opposed to EE's math)
- How much do you love this stuff? (would it be enough for you to teach it? to read about it? to write about it?)
- Where are you on EE (first term? last? right in the middle?)
- Do you care for money? (which is not bad in itself: how do you picture your life in ten years? family? children? do they eat? what is your idea of being a good parent?)
- IIRC, Dirac started as an engineer
- on the other hand, very often crackpots are engineers...
 
very often crackpots are engineers

Hey! I resemble that remark!
 
Originally posted by enigma
Hey! I resemble that remark!

Resemble or resent?
 
Resemble... definitely resemble. :wink:
 
I use to be a Communication engineer in the Royal Corps of Signals, lately I'm working primarily on the Internet and IMHO Physics is more fun but unless you're VERY good there's not much money in it.
 
Well, I was a software engineer for a while until I recently decided to entirely switch careers. But then, I'm single so it was much easier in that respect.

What I have found is pick something that you actually enjoy doing. Think of the environments you will be in and what you will *actually* be doing day-to-day. If you really like what you do, the money will come. Besides, what fun is having money when you spend most of your waking hours doing something you don't like?

The exact details of your situation will probably have a large impact on how you procede. Like was asked, how far along in EE are you? Also, what are your finicial resources? Could you afford to go another year or so if you changed your mind, again?

I firmly believe it's not how long it takes you to finish school, as long as you actually finish. With some skill, you can remain a self sufficient student indefinitely! (trust me, I know :smile: ).
 
string_theory said:
I am an electrical engineering student...

but I have a deep interest in physics...
what would you advice me to do?

Just start teaching Physics of the level u can.
 
Wow.

ElectroPhysics,

There really isn't a need to resurrect threads that are almost a year old from the dead like this.
 
  • #10
wow, can you say necropost?
 

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