What Are the Best Career Options in Physics, Engineering, and Math?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the career options available in physics, engineering, and mathematics, particularly focusing on the balance between personal interest in these fields and the financial prospects associated with them. Participants express their concerns about job security, income expectations, and the value of pursuing a passion versus a lucrative career.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their current path in actuarial science and considers switching to system design engineering, citing a desire for a high-paying job.
  • Another participant is interested in majoring in physics but fears the limited job opportunities and the possibility of ending up in a low-paying teaching position.
  • A third participant hopes to secure a research position at prestigious organizations like NASA or CERN after completing a Ph.D. in physics, despite acknowledging the competitiveness of such roles.
  • Some participants argue that pursuing a career solely for financial reasons may lead to dissatisfaction, suggesting that physics offers a wide range of career options beyond research and teaching.
  • Concerns are raised about the financial viability of a physics career, with one participant noting the challenges of securing a well-paying job after obtaining a Ph.D. and the prevalence of unemployment among Ph.D. holders.
  • There is a suggestion that pursuing a career in finance might be a more straightforward path to financial security, which is met with resistance from others who value scientific careers.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of finding satisfaction in a scientific career rather than prioritizing money above all else.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of views regarding the balance between passion for science and the need for financial stability. There is no consensus on whether one should prioritize financial security over personal interest in physics or engineering, leading to a contested discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the uncertainty surrounding job prospects in physics and engineering, the varying financial outcomes of different career paths, and the subjective nature of job satisfaction. The discussion reflects a range of personal priorities and assumptions about career choices.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and early-career professionals in physics, engineering, and mathematics who are contemplating their career paths and weighing the importance of financial stability against personal interests in science.

karanrustagi
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Hi All...
I read ur post just when i had decided to start a new topic called CAREER... I'm currently doing act sci from university fo waterloo (first year coop) but the problem is i THINK I'm not interested in act sci and more interested in physics... i certainly can't take physics coz I'm convinced i won't end up in a good job. I'm currently thinking of switchin to system design engg... when you did your research, did you have anything on this? Please let me know coz I'm all so confused whether or not to switch... my priorities are a gr8 job (earning over CAN $150 grands within 8 years) coz i have soooo many expensive hobbies to take care of... and then i also want to do something i really like... I'm having so much trouble balancing both of these...
SO SOME! HELPPPPPP!
 
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Hey u guys I have this prob too.
All u guys in physics forums who are in a pure science stream or are physicsts please help me. I'm very interested in physics, and I'd like to major in physics. The problem is if I don't make it big with the research , I'll end up in some unknown university teaching some boring course, for the same reason my family insists on a enghineering course. So is it worth majoring in physics (I know it will give me the satisfaction of studing physics, but materialisticaly imean). what are the job opportunities. Since I'm not a good orator I don't think lecturing is rifht for me.
So please help me all u pure science grads, profs please guide me from ur experience
 
Personally after a Ph.D in Physics I hope to get a research job at an organization like NASA or CERN.. I know there aren't many, but if they are going to hire somebody to do the job, why not me?
 
Originally posted by Hypercase
Hey u guys I have this prob too.
All u guys in physics forums who are in a pure science stream or are physicsts please help me. I'm very interested in physics, and I'd like to major in physics. The problem is if I don't make it big with the research , I'll end up in some unknown university teaching some boring course, for the same reason my family insists on a enghineering course. So is it worth majoring in physics (I know it will give me the satisfaction of studing physics, but materialisticaly imean). what are the job opportunities. Since I'm not a good orator I don't think lecturing is rifht for me.
So please help me all u pure science grads, profs please guide me from ur experience
Don't choose your career because of your wallet. Would you rather spend the rest of your life miserable in order to make a few thousand dollars more a year? Anyway, physicists have a LARGE amount of career choices.. it isn't only research or teaching. It is one of the most versatile degrees you can possess.
 
I totally agree money is not everything but for a person like me i cna't like on anything less than 100 grands a year... i hate bargaining, waiting for discounts and promotions... i just know want i want and i want it rite when i want it. I have so many hobbies like rc planes, world tours... all that i can't do as a student but want to do it all when I'm working...
But i have this f**king strong desire to learn ALL THE PHYSICS IN THE WORLD and i have no idea how i can get both "money" and "physics" to meet...
getting a phd and a research job is not all that easy... even being a prof is not easy... u have to gain loads of fellowships b4 u can earn well as prof... ur social life is screwed... research a bit on the web and u'll find so many phd's unemployed...
umemployment is widespread even in engg... except if u do engg from some good univ. and have xperience... and all htat...
thats y i thot it'd be best if i stayed in math and pursued physics more as hobby...
what do u guys think... (I REALLY DONT MIND IF U guys call me MONEY MINDED AND REMARKS LIKE THAT... U'RE WELCOME... simple coz i don't want to be close minded about this and b convinced that I'm all rite and others r all wrong...)
All my life i was 10000% sure i was going to be an aeronautical or aerospace engg. even if i hardly get paid... but donno what happened in my final year of school... i changed my mind and took up math along with a friend (by math i mean actuarial science)...
i'm all confused now... not sure what to do... stay or leave
 
Yeah actuaries are fairly well paid, and they have to have a descent understanding of maths. Physics is not well paid though. Maybe you should head down the easier finance route and you will soon forget your juvenile love for science as you mature and really begin to realize that money is more important.
 
Originally posted by plus
Maybe you should head down the easier finance route and you will soon forget your juvenile love for science as you mature and really begin to realize that money is more important.
Please tell me you're joking?
 
Yeah actuaries are fairly well paid, and they have to have a descent understanding of maths. Physics is not well paid though. Maybe you should head down the easier finance route and you will soon forget your juvenile love for science as you mature and really begin to realize that money is more important
what the hell are u talking about. How can I have any satisfation in a non scientific career.
This thread was about having both a scientific job and earning enough for one's livelihood, do suggest that I make money my life's sole purpose. And what the hell do u mean by juvenille love?? and money is more imporatant?? what the hell are guys like u doing on physics forums.
 
delta, plus's sarcasm is so thick you couldn't cut it with a knife.

cookiemonster
 

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