Can I Combine Engineering, Physics, and Mathematics in One Career?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of combining engineering, physics, and mathematics into a single career or pursuing them concurrently. Participants explore the feasibility of such a multidisciplinary approach and the implications it may have on work-life balance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to integrate engineering, physics, and mathematics into a cohesive career path, seeking advice on how to achieve this.
  • Another participant questions whether it is feasible to excel in all three fields simultaneously, suggesting the risk of being a "jack of all trades, master of none."
  • A different viewpoint suggests that pursuing a managerial role could allow for the integration of these disciplines.
  • Some participants express enthusiasm for the idea of successfully balancing all three fields as full-time careers.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential workload, with one participant estimating that it could require 120 hours per week, which may lead to an unsatisfactory lifestyle.
  • A participant humorously acknowledges the workload concern but seeks suggestions for roles, such as research positions, that might combine all three fields.
  • It is noted that most engineering roles typically involve elements of physics and mathematics, while experimental physics often requires engineering and mathematical skills.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the practicality of combining these fields into one career. There are multiple competing views regarding the feasibility and desirability of such an approach, with some expressing enthusiasm and others cautioning against the potential challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about workload, career satisfaction, and the nature of interdisciplinary work, which remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering multidisciplinary careers in STEM fields, professionals exploring career paths that integrate engineering, physics, and mathematics, and individuals interested in the concept of "slash careers."

Sid Collins
Messages
3
Reaction score
3
Greetings Physics Forums!

I am currently applying to universities here in the United States and have been fascinated with engineering, physics, and mathematics for years now. I love the idea of designing and building as an engineer, researching and discovering as a physicist and research as a mathematician. I have also recently come across the idea of a "slash career," where an individual possesses multiple careers and specializations. My question to you ladies and gentlemen, is how I might combine engineering, physics, and mathematics into one career or possibly allowing them to exist as multiple work oppurtunites at the same time. Any advice for an aspiring student will be very much appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is your plan to be a jack of all trades and a master of none, or is your plan to do three things as well as full-timers do?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Is your plan to be a jack of all trades and a master of none, or is your plan to do three things as well as full-timers do?
Or he could be a manager.
 
It would be amazing to do all three as well as full-timers do!
 
That will take about 120 hours per week, or more. Sounds like a truly miserable life.
 
I completely agree. I merely jest at that fact, but I want something that possibly combines all of them. Would a research job fulfill such? Any suggestions?
 
Most engineering work will involve physics and math. Experimental physics work will involve engineering and math.
 

Similar threads

Physics Should I apply to do an astrophysics PhD or stick with an engineering job?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
What are career paths that combine physics and education?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Seeking insights on careers in theoretical physics and cosmology
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Job Skills [Career] - What kind of life does a career in physics entail?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Job Skills Possibilities of a Career in Physics/Engineering
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Physics Grad School (and career) Work-Life Balance: Physics vs Other Fields
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Physics Looking to pivot to physics at 31, could use some guidance
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Other Is physics, computer science, or engineering the right path for me?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
7K
Engineering Career path for particle accelerator engineering?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Physics Is a physics career's main focus Discovery and not Invention?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K