Help Santiago Decide: Engineering or Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Santiago's uncertainty regarding his career path between mechanical engineering and physics. He is currently in his third year of a mechanical engineering degree in Argentina but has developed a strong interest in physics, particularly in research and investigation. Participants explore the implications of choosing between these fields, including potential career prospects and personal interests.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Santiago expresses a strong interest in physics and questions whether to pursue a degree in physics, nuclear engineering, or continue with mechanical engineering.
  • Some participants suggest that mechanical engineers (MEs) generally have good job prospects and recommend sticking with what one is skilled at.
  • Others argue that the choice should depend on personal interests and career goals, particularly regarding research opportunities in physics versus engineering.
  • There is a discussion about the potential career paths and salary differences between physics and mechanical engineering degrees.
  • Santiago indicates a desire for investigation and theoretical work, which he feels may be more aligned with a physics degree.
  • Concerns are raised about the challenges of advanced physics courses compared to mechanical engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which path Santiago should take. There are competing views regarding the job prospects and personal fulfillment associated with each degree, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors such as job prospects, personal interests, and the nature of coursework in both fields, but these considerations are not fully explored or resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Students contemplating a transition between engineering and physics, individuals interested in career prospects in STEM fields, and those considering graduate studies in either discipline.

Rackhir
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Hello everyone
Here's the thing, I'm not sure about my career anymore. I'm in third year of my mechanical engineering degree (5 years in argentina), but I'm having serious doubts if I'm more attracted to physics, mainly investigation.
My original plan was doing 3 years in my current university, and finishing my undergraduate in Balseiro Institute (the first years are a requisite for acceptance). My choices there are Mechanical engineering, Nuclear engineering, or physics. Now I'm not even sure of what to apply.. I was always a mech kind of guy, so it was quite simply i guess. But in the alst 3 years i completely fall in love with physics. So what are my possibilities? going for physics? or maybe nuclear engineering? ME with a post graduate in physics has any sense? what are the work and invistigation possibilities for that? (I might not want to stay here, so don't worry about me living in argentina).
Any input is welcome.
Santiago
 
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Well, more than "if I'm qualified for a physics degree" is "doubting about it over engineering"
 
Rackhir said:
Hello everyone
Here's the thing, I'm not sure about my career anymore. I'm in third year of my mechanical engineering degree (5 years in argentina), but I'm having serious doubts if I'm more attracted to physics, mainly investigation.
My original plan was doing 3 years in my current university, and finishing my undergraduate in Balseiro Institute (the first years are a requisite for acceptance). My choices there are Mechanical engineering, Nuclear engineering, or physics. Now I'm not even sure of what to apply.. I was always a mech kind of guy, so it was quite simply i guess. But in the alst 3 years i completely fall in love with physics. So what are my possibilities? going for physics? or maybe nuclear engineering? ME with a post graduate in physics has any sense? what are the work and invistigation possibilities for that? (I might not want to stay here, so don't worry about me living in argentina).
Any input is welcome.
Santiago

IMO, MEs will always have good job prospects. If you're "a mech kind of guy", then I'd pass on the change. That "love with physics" may jump up and bite you in the butt as classes really advance and the difficulty peaks. I would stick with what you have a knack for doing.
 
ThinkToday said:
IMO, MEs will always have good job prospects. If you're "a mech kind of guy", then I'd pass on the change. That "love with physics" may jump up and bite you in the butt as classes really advance and the difficulty peaks. I would stick with what you have a knack for doing.

Well, difficulty is not what I'm worried about, i always thinked that the point is giving the very best and not being afraid of challenges
 
Bieng honest, the main thing i was considering today is, what are the options of a ME with a physics degree? and a NE with a physics degree?
 
If I am in your shoes, I would consider what would I do when I graduate with a physics degree versus a ME degree. Have you ever wonder what are the career prospects to be like for a physics major vs a ME major? How about salary?

If you are interested in academia instead, then what would you want to achieve? A masters? A phD?

Another thing is, WHAT do you like in physics that mechanical engineering does not offer?

These are all very personal questions and both are wonderful and challenging degrees. However please consider that in terms of job prospects though, ME might have a slight upperhand generally, but if you are successful you will succeed in both.
 
Those are things i question myself. To be straight, I'm mainly interested in investigation. So in ME that would be design, for exapmple, vs. the whole spectra of possibilities that a physics major offer. And my goal is to achieve at least a masters (although a phD is what i want), being in physics or engineering.
Salary speaking, I'm a littel blind about the physics degree one. I suppose is less than a ME one, but that's just my common sense (one of the reasons i posted this question, i guess)
So, as you see, my concern is that i want to investigate, latest developmentes or technologies, maybe a tad more on the theoretical side.
 

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