The discussion revolves around the decision between pursuing a second bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a master's degree in applied physics. Participants explore the implications of each choice on job prospects and personal satisfaction, considering factors such as prior educational background, current employment, and personal interests in science and engineering.
Participants express a range of opinions on the value of each educational path, with no clear consensus on which option is superior. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to align career goals with personal interests.
Participants acknowledge various assumptions about job markets, personal satisfaction, and the feasibility of transitioning between fields, but these remain unresolved and dependent on individual circumstances.
DrummingAtom said:According to your previous threads, I thought you were doing a Master's in Physics? Is the possible change for employment sake only? Have you asked about any of the Alumni of that Master's program if they have had success finding jobs?
╔(σ_σ)╝ said:It depends on what you want.
To be honest if you do not like Engineering don't do it. As an EE student myself, I know how much time EE requires and would not advice anyone to do it if they are not absolute sure they want it.
As a pure math student you would probably be bored out of your mind and annoyed with the way we engineers do math ( a lot of hand waving takes place ).
Secondly, you have to like programming enough to sit down writing programs all day on the weekends.
Basically, if you see that there are things in EE and would almost "kill" you to do then don't go into EE. Unless you like the challenge.
planethunter said:I like some aspects of engineering, but since I am currently working in the accounting field, I think that engineering will be also just another job sitting in a cubicle for 8 hours a day. Id really like to do research in things like cosmology, string theory, etc, but feel that because they are so detached from the "real world" that I will not have any sort of job offers
╔(σ_σ)╝ said:If you are worried about a job, which I am frankly not surprised about, then you have good reason to be worried.
There are some fields in EE that can get theorectical but not anything close to string theory. However, some of the guys that go into EM and solid state devices can almost be considered physicist.
Look around a bit more and find out if anything really peaks your interest. If nothing does then you have to make a decision. Would you rather have a job doing something you don't like for the rest of your life or would you rather study something you love and risk possibly not been able to support yourself talk-less of a family.
As for me, I would chose the former rather than the later but it is really a personal decision.
planethunter said:I agree with you, but in my case, I have a wife and a 2 yr old daughter (expecting another in June) and I am 29 yrs old. I actually make pretty good money now (about $60k/yr) where I am at (in the public finance sector). It is a pretty boring job though and not challenging at all. I have always loved science, but feel like in order to make any money in science now, I would have to become an engineer because I basically make now what a professor would make to start off if I got into academics!
╔(σ_σ)╝ said:Do you realize that you would not be making more an 60K as an entry level engineer?
Another option is too get an masters in some engineering field an then look for work.
Have you considered this ?
Going through another bachelors will put you under stress and would probably put you under some financial pressure for another 3-4 years.
planethunter said:Don't I have to have a bachelors in engineering in order to get admitted into a masters in engineering program?
Your first comment is where my dilemma is. I have even considered getting my mba, continue to move up with it in the field I am currently in, and simply do physics for fun on my own time. But then I think to myself, wouldn't it be cool to get paid to study/talk about the universe!
╔(σ_σ)╝ said:I believe it is possible. You should look into it.
This is were being completely frank with yourself comes into play. You have a family and taking care of that family is undoubtely on the top of your list.
Certainly, pursuing a carrer in physics would probably bring you some measure of satisfaction, however, you have to consider the pros and cons.
I am no life advicer but I think you should sit down and think carefully about the benefits and possible disadvantages.
If I told you to pursue theorectical physics I won't be there to help you through any future financial difficulties. Neither would I be there to console you when you regret not pursuing a career in physics.
If you thing that taking a certain course of action would benefit you then by all means do so! However, if the opposite it true then you should seriously consider your priorities.