Career advice Definition and 217 Threads

So here is the gist of it, right now I am one semester away from graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor's of Science for Physics and I have found that I do not want to continue on with Physics and I feel that engineering is more of what I am looking for. I have been involved in...

Hello guys, Long story short i am a senior mechanical engineering student (graduating next year). But i do not like my major, at first i did not matter to me what i choose or what i study. i did not know what i like and mechanical engineering seemed a good option to me in terms of good job...

I'm a 4th year MPhys student currently finishing my undergrad. I will be attending a theoretical masters course next year at Kings. I have been declined by Imperial and Cambridge so I have started to get a little worried about my future. Even though I have been declined this year, is there any...

Hello everyone! This is my first post here, so I'm still figuring everything out. I am a Junior in Highschool, so soon it will be time for me to apply to colleges. Because of my high school, I have direct access to the top private university in Mexico, however, they do not offer Physics as a...

Hello! I have a B.S. in Physics with an emphasis in Physics Education Research, and have recently been considering tutoring lower level physics students online. During my degree, I tutored at my university and I've also had experience teaching English as a Second Language. I'm not overly found...

I’ve been told that physics majors are looked at favorably when applying for entry-level engineering jobs. Is this true? How qualified are they when compared to engineering majors? Are applied physics majors looked at any differently? Do employers care about an undergraduate thesis?

I am worried that I am passionate about physics and yearn for a career in physics(through theoretical physics), and by a career I mean a placement in a prestigious institute and then be part of leading physics, but would that require sacrificing my entire 20s and even 30s or can I can get all...

Hi, I am a high school student from India, aspiring to leave a legacy by contributing to physics before I leave this world. I am also very confused about my future all the time(that's why "Lost Bird", :)) and I joined this forum to seek guidance from all you experienced people, have a good day.

Hi! I'm currently in my second year of a five year integrated masters degree in physics. When applying, I chose to study just plain physics as I didn't really know what I wanted to do and I didn't want to limit my options. However, for the past year and a half, and honestly before that too, I've...

Hello, first post here, didn't know this existed until very recently. I was going to ask if anyone could give me some advice regarding living and working in Switzerland. I will be done with my Bachelor's in Physics (With a specialty in Research, this is a Swedish invention, but it amounts to...

I have been interested in particle physics since I was in High School, but I have struggled to keep my GPA high enough to get me into grad school and I want to serve my country. I decided that the military was the best route to get the experience I needed. I would like to work with lasers to...

Hi PF, I graduated (MSc) six months ago with a 3.7/4.0 GPA and is still unemployed. During my time at university, I focused on my studies and did not give my future work life much thought. Consequently, I do not really know what my options are as a physicist. Sure, after reading countless job...

Hey, I’m kinda of in a crisis in my head here. I’m in the US to pursue my masters in mechanical engineering. After the introductory material science course, I believe I’ve got a greater interest towards materials than mechanical engineering. Would transferring to Material Science be a good...

Hello everyone! I originally decided to be a physicist when I took an online course in Astronomy which talked about the greatest unsolved mysteries of the universe. After coming to university and conducting research in Particle Physics, I think I like it better and would pursue it instead...

So I am a high school freshman student this school year. We have this career guidance presentation every once in a while by our counselors. I wanted to be an engineer but I realized something. I don’t know which engineer I’d want to pursue. I’ve limited it down to two. Mechatronics or...

I've graduated from college about 4 months ago with a B.S. in Physics, and a minor in Mathematics. I've applied to so many jobs I lost count, Physics Jobs, MechE jobs, EE Jobs, SystemsE, SoftwareE, etc. I've interviewed at maybe 3 places only so far, and from those interviews they informed my...

If my goal job title were to be aerospace engineer, what would employer like more: Double major in aerospace engineering and physics, or a masters in aerospace engineering. The reason it is one or the other is I would only like to do only 4 years of school and I can complete a masters in four...

Hi! I am on my way to complete a two-year postdoc. I have BSc, MSc and PhD in nuclear engineering. My research focuses are severe accident analysis, thermal-hydraulics and CFD. Since it is very likely that my current employer cannot ensure a future temporary/permanent position, I am looking for...

I dream of getting a PhD someday and focussing on astrophysics. I would want to work near the west coast so I could take advantage of their clear night sky. I'm only about 45 credits into my undergrad and would appreciate any tips I could implement while moving forward in this career. Also, what...

Hi All Background 1. I am 33 Year old with around 13 years of Experience in software development. 2. Education: MCA from India which is Equivalent to Bachelors in IT per US (If i am not wrong). 3. Always interested in Mathematics/Physics and not much happy with software development work...

Hi all, I'm a theoretical physics hopeful, and I've had a couple of major setbacks in my undergraduate studies. I'm thinking of whether I should pursue a career in TP, or reconsider doing physics entirely. My background: I've always had an interest in Physics. I got a bronze medal from...

Hello everyone. A little bit on me.. I am 37, live in nyc, and have one more semester to catch up with calculus and other prerequisites. After that I will be starting a BS in Physics. I have an associates degree in radiologic technology, but found it very difficult to find work in my field. I...

im trying to become an award winning physicist (I know, I am ready for the grind, I am 15 and ready to start) how hard is it to first get a job in this area right out of college after a phd? any way to make 70-80k and go up to make 6-figure salaries in research for the government or in a lab...

<< Mentor Note -- two threads on same subject merged. Please do not cross-post across forums here >> I am passionate about Physics, Computer Science, and Aerospace Engineering. I am about to start my freshman year of college in the fall and have yet to decide which would be the most reliable...

I am mechanical engineer fresher. I want to know what are job opportunities for fresher in mechanical engineer.

Hello everyone, Well I’m at that crossroads where I need to make a decision about what I should start moving towards as it relates to a degree, so I figured I’d get y’all’s input. So, my situation is a little bit of a complex one. Here goes: I am a senior in HS, and have been accepted to...

I was always interested in Psychology but I went into Engineering to satisfy my mother and since she's still not satisfied (who was I kidding?), I'm thinking about getting into Psychology. Can I get an M.S. in Psychology even if I already have a B.S. in Engineering? I'm sure it's not usual...

I am trying to figure out which direction I should head towards in terms of employment/gradschool. I am aware jobs doing "actual physics" are few and far between, but as an undergrad, I am naively opportunistic. I have a few extra slots in my university course schedule, so I want to slide in...

Hello, I’m an undergraduate physics student. Recently, I recognize that I am interested in evolution and I want to study life’s origin. When I preferred physics, because I want to learn how nature works. Now, I am not only interested in how nature works, also I’m passionate for neuroscience and...

Good Day, all! Currently having a semi-half-mid-life crisis xD I am currently enrolled at the Open University (UK) nearly finished with first year (120credits), though this is distance learning and I would prefer to go to Birkbeck University of London which will be evening classes. Now...

Hello, long time lurker here on PF. I was wondering if there is anyway that I could make self-study/teaching count in any way as credentials for future jobs? I have a masters degree already but I'm hesitant to jump into a PhD since it would require that I attend part time while I work full time...

Hi everybody! So I got a Masters in physics (precisely - biophysics) 5 years ago. Then attempted to get a PhD, realized that research and academia don't feel right to me and quit. Now I'm 28. Despite the lack of the doctoral degree, working in the lab gave me many skills. Biomedical engineering...

Hi PhysicsForums! I was hoping I could get some advice on a common issue amongst physics majors. I am currently pursuing a degree in physics and am halfway through my second year. I have really enjoyed it so far, but I have also developed an interest in electrical engineering recently...

Hi, First, let me tell you about myself: 1.) I have a Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics with a mechanical focus. 2.) I have been working as a mechanical engineer for 3 years at 3 different places. 3.) My work mostly consists of product design, detailed drawings and working in a machine...

I do like science a lot and I am good at it when i study. I also enjoy research as i have had 2 research internships which i enjoyed. But recently, for my physics 103, i had a professor that seemed to like have answers to everything, and it made me somewhat uninterested in the subject for...

I’m hoping that I can find some career advice that can shine some light on my situation…I served in the Navy where my primary duty was working with the ships radar and communication systems as well as providing support with other electronic warfare systems. When I discharged from the Navy I got...

Hello About me: I am a transfer junior Aerospace engineering major at U of Minnesota and will be getting a degree in physics from U of Wisconsin the same time I graduate from MN (don't ask how that works, it just does). I have had an REU nuclear physics internship (+ a year and half of nuclear...

Hello, I am posting to get some career advice about pursuing a career in fusion physics/engineering. With the construction of ITER in France and all the worldwide research into fusion as an energy source, I am extremely interested in the field and I want to help develop fusion technology. I am...

I honestly wasn't sure if this should have went in Engineering or Biology/Medicine section. I am interested in finding out more about what Biomedical Engineering/Bioengineering is all about. One side says its about just building machines, while the other is about using the machines and doing...

Hello all!, Backstory: I recently graduated with a BSc in physics a month ago. I have been looking to get hired by a certain company since the start of my senior year. The position I was after was a process engineer, however I have not heard back from the company for that position, which I...

Hi. I am currently an undergrad following a physics major, and I am in the final year of my course.I am planning to continue on with grad studies and wants to know the most demanding(subject wise and salary wise) paths in physics.(Ex: astrophysics,astronomy,condensed matter physics,medical...

Hello fellow science enthusiasts! I have a question about second cycle studies. I'm in my last year of high school and I wish to study applied physics. However, my choice of university doesn't offer a programme in applied physics. For a first cycle I can pick Physics, Astronomy or Physics Ed...

Dear members, I am an analog designer and I don't get to do a lot of interesting design work at my job. There is a PhD opportunity that came my way which offers really interesting work (will be in a top tier uni and will be working on project for a world famous research institute). However, I...

Currently enrolled at a regional campus to complete basic core courses for my B.S. in Physics with a research concentration. I have completed over 40 credit hours while I was also in high school, and am starting my first semester of classes toward my major. After this semester, however, that...

Hi everyone, What can I do with a master's in theoretical physics and a bachelor of computer science ? I am in Canada, I had to do a master's before a PhD. I just decided to do something else than physics afterwards. I had the opportunity to do a PhD in computer science, in medical imaging...

Hello, I am going to start school soon for E.E with an emphasis in Power Systems Engineering, I live in NYC and am 21 y.o. I've been reading forum responses across the web from unemployed engineers (Unhealthy habit I know), people don't specify what they specialize in hence the query. I am...

Hello, my name is Logan and I'm looking to go into automotive engineering(in the long run). I'm currently in high school and I am doing the middle college program which will allow me to graduate with a general associates degree. A few of my dads friends told me about an apprenticeship-type...

Hello, I am currently in India and have completed the standard 12 years of schooling and eventually want to get into Physics academia and research. Now I currently have a choice between a three year standard science degree(BSc honours in Physics) and a four year engineering degree(BTech in...

Hello all, So I've finished my first year of classes. Since my school has a credit window for declaring engineering majors, I need to lock in my life-long career decision. I definitely want to stick with engineering, but I was curious if ChemE is the right one for me. From what I've read, the...

Hi All, I am new here. I have been doing research, nuclear physics stuff, mainly, for a couple of years . Over time, I have grown to be very tired of pure research, and I believe it is just not for me, not that there is something wrong with research but I am not motivated to keep going, also...