Applied Physics & Math: Achieving Research Goals w/out Teaching

[guss]

I want to major in Applied Physics in college, and maybe double major with math. I will probably go on to get a Masters or PhD in Physics or Applied Physics.

My problem is this: I don't want to be a physics professor or teacher. I have heard lots of stories of people wanting to do other things in a certain field, only to end up as a physics teacher.

No offense to physics teachers, though. I just personally don't really like, and suck at, explaining things to people. I can absolutely see why people want to become teachers and respect them for that, personally, though, I would just prefer to do research.

This may be kind of a bad question, but what is the best way to make sure I don't end up as a teacher or professor? I would much prefer doing research somewhere. I have read ZapperZ guide.

I'm just curious if there's anything specific I should do, or anything specific I should avoid.

Thanks! And please don't take offense, teachers.

 

[lisab]

Have you considered studying engineering?

 

[odinsthunder]

Don't apply for teaching jobs then.

 

[guss]

Have you considered studying engineering?

Kind of, but what I would enjoy doing the most is theorizing some method of doing something, then making it come to life. I would rather study physics than engineering because I like theory, but I also like doing a little engineering. I suppose I'm thinking that applied physics is kind of like a physics major and a mechanical (or whatever) engineering minor tied together. Am I thinking right? I kind of just threw applied physics out there because I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do yet.

Don't apply for teaching jobs then.

I'm just worried that that could become my only option.

 

[guss]

Bump.

 

[lisab]

Kind of, but what I would enjoy doing the most is theorizing some method of doing something, then making it come to life. I would rather study physics than engineering because I like theory, but I also like doing a little engineering. I suppose I'm thinking that applied physics is kind of like a physics major and a mechanical (or whatever) engineering minor tied together. Am I thinking right? I kind of just threw applied physics out there because I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do yet.


I'm just worried that that could become my only option.

My $0.02: no, an applied physics degree wouldn't be the same as an engineering degree -- to a hiring manager. That's who you need to convince otherwise, and that can be tough.

What you describe - theorizing a solution and making it work - that's done all the time by engineers.

Full disclosure: my background is in physics and in general, I've had a harder time getting a job than engineers. Engineers don't have to convince anyone of their skills, they don't have to market themselves as hard as those with a physics degree, IMO. So when people write in that they are on the fence between the two, I usually nudge towards engineering.

 

[guss]

My $0.02: no, an applied physics degree wouldn't be the same as an engineering degree -- to a hiring manager. That's who you need to convince otherwise, and that can be tough.

What you describe - theorizing a solution and making it work - that's done all the time by engineers.

Full disclosure: my background is in physics and in general, I've had a harder time getting a job than engineers. Engineers don't have to convince anyone of their skills, they don't have to market themselves as hard as those with a physics degree, IMO. So when people write in that they are on the fence between the two, I usually nudge towards engineering.

Really? I would rather derive an equation, or discover something new, and then put it to work, or possibly do research. That's not what I usually imagine engineers doing, but I could be wrong though. So you still think I should go engineer?

 

[clope023]

Really? I would rather derive an equation, or discover something new, and then put it to work, or possibly do research. That's not what I usually imagine engineers doing, but I could be wrong though. So you still think I should go engineer?

If you only want to get a job afters bachelors than do engineering, if you want to go on to graduate school applied physics is a good mix of theory and application.