Physics Can I Make a Physics Career at 40?

AI Thread Summary
Pursuing a physics career or PhD after a 15-year gap since earning a BS in physics poses significant challenges. The discussion highlights that practical experience may outweigh the benefits of obtaining a PhD, especially in the current job market. For those aspiring to become professors, the timeline is daunting, requiring years of study, postdoctoral positions, and potentially a decade or more before securing a faculty role and tenure. The overall sentiment suggests that unless the pursuit of a PhD is for personal fulfillment, exploring alternative career paths may be more advantageous.
ber70
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I am 40. I finished physics (BS) 15 years ago. But I din't work as a physicist. Can I make phyics career or PHD on physics now?
 
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What do you mean by "career"?

Judging from the job postings I've seen, it may be better to have 15 years of experience than a PhD.

Anyway, if you want to be a professor, it's probably not going to work. Figure a year or two for you to catch up on stuff you've forgotten to take the GRE, 6 years in grad school then post docs, maybe a faculty position in ten years, and an additional 3-5 for tenure? It seems pretty unlikely that you'll ever cover your opportunity costs.

I dunno---unless you're doing a PhD to prove something to yourself, you're probably better off doing something else.
 

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