How and what does it take to be a theoretical physicists?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the journey and challenges of becoming a theoretical physicist, including educational requirements, career prospects, and the nature of research in the field. Participants express their concerns about job availability, financial stability, and the pressures of contributing significant theories to physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how many years of college are necessary for a physicist involved in research, suggesting that a PhD is typically required, but is uncertain about when "real" research begins.
  • Another participant shares a similar passion for physics but expresses concern about career prospects, proposing to explore more economically viable areas like plasma and materials physics while still engaging with theoretical topics.
  • A third participant discusses the financial challenges in theoretical physics, quoting a historical perspective on the difficulty of securing work in the field, suggesting that the situation has not significantly improved.
  • There is a suggestion that gaining practical experience and involvement in university physics projects may help in developing research ideas.
  • One participant recommends reading the journal Physical Review Letters (PRL) for insights into current research, highlighting its strict quality control.
  • Another participant inquires about job availability and the difficulty of becoming a university professor, expressing a desire for a decent living and happiness in the field.
  • A later reply encourages focusing on personal strengths and interests rather than financial concerns, suggesting that a PhD could lead to opportunities in various fields, including financial modeling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views regarding the financial viability and job prospects in theoretical physics, with no clear consensus on the best path forward or the nature of job availability. Concerns about the pressures of research and the necessity of finding a balance between passion and practicality are also present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the uncertainty surrounding job security and financial stability in theoretical physics, as well as the varying paths one might take within the field. There are also references to the importance of practical experience and mentorship, which may influence individual experiences in academia and research.

tim_lou
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how many years of colleges should be good enough for a physicists active in researches and stuffs?

mostly ph.D right? but usually, when does the "real" research begin?

i love physics... but I am not all that smart. Do theoretical physicists scratch their brains all the time to figure out theories in their office?

and could i sustain a decent life entering this field?

and what happens if a physicist do not have some significant researches done?

I'm worried about "what if" i couldn't come up with some theories in physics in the future when i put my whole life on it... would i be screwed pretty badly?

i mean i really really REALLY like physics...
so, do theoretical physicists find jobs easily? are there many demands for 'em?
 
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Facing similar dilemma here. I also really really, really like physics, especially the mathematical/theoretical side, but worry about career prospects. My solution is rather than dedicating my entire life to just maths, to get myself interested in more economically viable areas, notably plasma and materials physics, with the eventual hopes of both making money and being an `armchair' string theorist :)
 
This is mostly conjecture on my part mixed with a little input from advisors/mentors, but here goes:

Theoretical Physics and Money:

There is little money in theoretical physics. Some physicist or another (I think John Gribbin quoted the unknown in his book, In Search of Schrödinger's Cat) said about the 1920's "Back then, it was easy for a second rate physicist to do first rate work; nowadays it's hard for even a first rate physicist to get second rate work" Gribbin quoted that in the 80's, I think, and I'm pretty sure the situation is only mildly better for now.

Theoretical Physics Process:

Perhaps for some, it is easy to imagine everything discussed in their physics class, and actually see the math in some sort of sync'd animation in their mind, but that's rare. That's Albert Einstein, working as a patent clerk, fiddling in his spare time.

More realistic (especially for undergrads working towards a physics degree) is to get involved, in any aspect of physics you can around your university, and as you expose yourself to other physicists doing their job, assisting them and helping them, you won't be able to help but come up with your own ideas eventually.

I haven't done any research yet, I'm actually working at the research library for our Geophysics Institute for the summer. Physics is a big subject there, and we serve researchers, so it's a bit of a foot-in-the-door oppurtunity. I just recently saw a past physics professor of mine and asked him if he had any small research projects I could chew at on the weekends, and that I didn't expect pay, just because I've boggled over it so long, "What in the hell would I theorize about?"

I'm assuming that I have to 'get my hands dirty' before I can really start asking questions worth researching.

I also think it would be nice if there was a weekly newsletter published on current questions in physics for each university so that experienced researchers who come across interesting, but irrelevant questions in their research, can offer the idea up to a young, fresh grad student looking for his own research project.
 
You guys wouldn't go far wrong in reading PRL every month.

http://prl.aps.org/

It will it give you an insight into the latest research.

Plus, each article is limited to 4 pages - and the refereeing is extremely strict. Therefore, quality is usually guarenteed.
 
so do physicists have many jobs available? how hard is it to become a professor at a university?

i don't need to be like a millionaire... i just want to be a professor and be able to have a somewhat decant living. and i want to be happy doing physics.
 
Do not worry about money. Find something that you are good at doing, like to do, and find a way to get paid doing it. If your biggest concern is money, obtain a PhD in physics and move to a large city like Chicago or New York and make mathematical models of stock markets. Other than that, I think most schools pay their professors enough money so they can afford a descent living, it is not as if theoretical physicists are living in underpasses: http://philip.greenspun.com/careers/
 

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