Dropped out of grad school don't know what to do.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a participant who has dropped out of graduate school and is seeking guidance on career options, particularly in physics and related fields. The conversation touches on issues of job searching, networking, and the desire to engage in theoretical physics rather than experimental or engineering roles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Career-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses regret about leaving grad school, citing a lack of progress in their lab work and a desire to focus more on physics.
  • The participant is concerned about job prospects due to a perceived gap in their resume and the age-related challenges of securing internships.
  • There is a mention of the potential for careers that focus on the theoretical aspects of physics, with interest in data science due to its reliance on linear algebra.
  • Another participant suggests contacting the department chair to explore research opportunities with other professors.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of networking, suggesting that connections can be made through acquaintances.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best course of action for the original poster. Some suggest pursuing academic connections, while others focus on the importance of job stability and current employment.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects uncertainties regarding the job market for physics graduates, the value of networking, and the balance between academic pursuits and practical job opportunities. There are also assumptions about the availability of paid research positions and the nature of connections in professional settings.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering leaving graduate programs, those exploring career options in physics or related fields, and anyone interested in the intersection of theoretical physics and practical job applications.

Shinn497
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First things first. I'd give anything to stay in grad school. I never have had an issue with classes and I study on my own all the time. I also still take classes through MOOCs. In fact, I actually dropped out so I could do more physics. I was working in a lab and things were just going nowhere. It just felt like a huge wast of time and I decided to stop chasing the carrot.

However, now I just can't go back to school and I need a job. Debts are creeping up and I want to start a carreer before I'm thirty. Yet now I'm in a bit of a pickle. At 28, I'm too old for internships and all of the jobs require 3-5 year experience. Also, since I sort of "vanished" from grad school, I don't really have any connections. The only way of breaking this is going into something related to computer science since I can always improve my programming skills on my own.

I feel, however, that there is something I'm not doing. I guess I see colleagues and former students work for some pretty awesome companies and I wonder what their doing. Also I look at statistic for people with technical degrees and the unemployment is very low. However, I have this black hole in my resume that I don't know how to get out of.

Also I'm wondering. Are there carreers that deal with the theoretical aspect of physics over experimental/engineering stuff? I have a part time job as an online physics tutor. Today I helped an engineering work through a problem involving some really hairy vector calculus. If I could just do that all day I'd be in heaven. I know Data Science involves linear algebra which is why I'm looking into it.
 
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Would it be possible for you to contact your department chair and let him/her know about your situation and possibly start research with another professor?
 
Unless they paid me to do research, it just isn't worth giving up my part time job.
 
If you are in the US, they usually do. At any rate, it may be worth contacting them.
 
Also, since I sort of "vanished" from grad school, I don't really have any connections.

If you have a connection with someone who has connections, you have connections. Anyone can be a connection.
 

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