- #1
bjnartowt
- 284
- 3
Hi all, I have a question. I hope to be a theoretical physicist, but I'm deciding which field. I'm attracted to theoretical condensed matter because it seems a little better paying, and less competitive. On the other hand, wrapping my mind around things like string theory and particle physics sounds a bit more exciting...but more competitive.
I've already had the experience of not making it in academia once, and wound up almost homeless. I'm being blessed with a second chance: I've worked in a few different fields, and I would honestly take the stress of academia over the monotony of industry any day, for the personal satisfaction. That's really my preference, rather than "I won't be happy unless I study quantum field theory or string theory", etc. So the oft-mentioned (and valid!) advice of "Do what makes you happy and what you have your heart into" is redundant in this case.
So yeah: is condensed matter theory less competitive than, say, particle theory or those other branches of physics which have less-immediate ramifications for industry and society? I'm guessing that condensed matter has more short-term benefits for society, so it should be easier to get grant money in that field. Am I mistaken?
I've already had the experience of not making it in academia once, and wound up almost homeless. I'm being blessed with a second chance: I've worked in a few different fields, and I would honestly take the stress of academia over the monotony of industry any day, for the personal satisfaction. That's really my preference, rather than "I won't be happy unless I study quantum field theory or string theory", etc. So the oft-mentioned (and valid!) advice of "Do what makes you happy and what you have your heart into" is redundant in this case.
So yeah: is condensed matter theory less competitive than, say, particle theory or those other branches of physics which have less-immediate ramifications for industry and society? I'm guessing that condensed matter has more short-term benefits for society, so it should be easier to get grant money in that field. Am I mistaken?