Programs -ADVICE NEEDED- Double Major - EE & CS or EE & Physics

AI Thread Summary
A new electrical engineering junior is considering adding a second major and is seeking advice on whether to choose computer science or physics. The individual has a strong background in programming and physics, and is motivated primarily by financial prospects. They are interested in pursuing careers in the energy or telecom industries and plan to further their education with a master's degree in a related engineering field. Responses suggest that while pursuing a degree based on passion is important, computer science may offer better job prospects and higher salaries compared to physics. Additionally, alternative career paths, such as law, were mentioned as potentially lucrative options. The discussion highlights the balance between personal interest and financial motivation in choosing a career path.
xanadol
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Greetings to all,

I am a new member and I am hoping to grab the attention of people who might have passed through the same route that I am on or people in similar situation.

I'm an EE junior and I am thinking about adding another major; I am in doubt, however. I am not very picky about my career either. I will enjoy anything as long as there is a problem to be solved. I took programming courses MATLAB, Java, C and aced all of 'em. Also finished dynamics and statics and also the first year physics for engineers and scientists. I have no problem with neither programming nor physics.

I am planning my career in the area that pays the most. Money is the entity that motivates me.

I am not certain but I hope to find jobs in energy or telecom industries. Also I want to go further for master's degree in an engineering field. Might be a MS EE, specializing in energy or MS in Nuclear engineering or MS in control systems or MS in Telecom engr.

But for the present, as I stated before, I'm a junior EE and in doubt of my second major. Having said my motivation, and further education goals, what do you think is the smartest decision for me to make, double majoring in EE and CS or EE and Physics?

I might have given insufficient information; as the discussion progresses, I will provide more info, I guess. But thanks for the insights from now.
 
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57 looks and 0 reply, man that helps!
 
xanadol said:
Greetings to all,

I am a new member and I am hoping to grab the attention of people who might have passed through the same route that I am on or people in similar situation.

I'm an EE junior and I am thinking about adding another major; I am in doubt, however. I am not very picky about my career either. I will enjoy anything as long as there is a problem to be solved. I took programming courses MATLAB, Java, C and aced all of 'em. Also finished dynamics and statics and also the first year physics for engineers and scientists. I have no problem with neither programming nor physics.

I am planning my career in the area that pays the most. Money is the entity that motivates me.

I am not certain but I hope to find jobs in energy or telecom industries. Also I want to go further for master's degree in an engineering field. Might be a MS EE, specializing in energy or MS in Nuclear engineering or MS in control systems or MS in Telecom engr.

But for the present, as I stated before, I'm a junior EE and in doubt of my second major. Having said my motivation, and further education goals, what do you think is the smartest decision for me to make, double majoring in EE and CS or EE and Physics?

I might have given insufficient information; as the discussion progresses, I will provide more info, I guess. But thanks for the insights from now.

If money is your main motivator you could do a engineering degree then a law degree and become a patent lawyer or do engineering and work your way up to CEO. Theres a hell of competition for CEO. Maybe you could switch to law and become partner of a huge firm.

Personally my advice is do what your heart tells you and not something based on money. I know its a cliche but I think (and hopefully others will agree) that its a time tested and true saying.
 
It's hard to predict what pay scales will be like in the future, when you actually enter the job market, but assuming things don't change drastically between now and then, you'd probably be more likely to find a high-paying job as a computer programmer than as a physicist. CS isn't exactly programming, of course, but it will probably prepare you for a programming job slightly better than physics.
 
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