- #1
CaptainAtom1996
- 16
- 2
Hello, I am a new member here at physics forums and find myself unsure of how to go about pursuing my career interest in nuclear fusion research, and if it is even something I should be pursuing at all.
My goal is to some day work in fusion research, but everyone I have talked to about this passion of mine has shot it down or told me its a dead end and should pursue something else. There is nuclear physicist at my college that actually wrote a paper about the history of fusion research in the united states, I have talked to him several times about this goal of mine, and I asked him the question of whether I should major as a undergrad in nuclear engineering or go for a degree in physics then plasma physics in grad school.
Now obviously these very different career paths, at least here at Penn state, nuclear engineering is aimed solely at the fission power generation (industry). Plasma physics has many different fields but I imagine that fusion power is probably the biggest aspect in research in said field. When I asked him this question, I meant that both career paths have there pros and cons to me, Nuclear engineering has the better job prospect and it already has an established industry.
However,(in my opinion) working at a power plant doesn't yield the satisfaction of working on new research and innovation. He told me that in all honesty, If i chose the path of plasma physics that I need to understand that chances are I probably am not going to make a break through in anything, and that I would probably end up teaching the next generation of physicists in the hopes that maybe they might crack the fusion mystery. He said that I should just stick with nuclear engineering as it would probably lead me to more success and satisfaction as a career.
The problem I seem to face also, is engineering vs applied physics. I like the practicality of engineering but like learning the theories of physics. I have come to the conclusion to major in nuclear engineering and minor in physics, though find my self torn on what path to take.
So what do you guys think? In your opinions what should I pursue? My fear is wasting time and money on pursuing the wrong path. Any and all comments or advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated!
My goal is to some day work in fusion research, but everyone I have talked to about this passion of mine has shot it down or told me its a dead end and should pursue something else. There is nuclear physicist at my college that actually wrote a paper about the history of fusion research in the united states, I have talked to him several times about this goal of mine, and I asked him the question of whether I should major as a undergrad in nuclear engineering or go for a degree in physics then plasma physics in grad school.
Now obviously these very different career paths, at least here at Penn state, nuclear engineering is aimed solely at the fission power generation (industry). Plasma physics has many different fields but I imagine that fusion power is probably the biggest aspect in research in said field. When I asked him this question, I meant that both career paths have there pros and cons to me, Nuclear engineering has the better job prospect and it already has an established industry.
However,(in my opinion) working at a power plant doesn't yield the satisfaction of working on new research and innovation. He told me that in all honesty, If i chose the path of plasma physics that I need to understand that chances are I probably am not going to make a break through in anything, and that I would probably end up teaching the next generation of physicists in the hopes that maybe they might crack the fusion mystery. He said that I should just stick with nuclear engineering as it would probably lead me to more success and satisfaction as a career.
The problem I seem to face also, is engineering vs applied physics. I like the practicality of engineering but like learning the theories of physics. I have come to the conclusion to major in nuclear engineering and minor in physics, though find my self torn on what path to take.
So what do you guys think? In your opinions what should I pursue? My fear is wasting time and money on pursuing the wrong path. Any and all comments or advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated!
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