- #1
ngjimmy310
- 5
- 1
Hi everyone. I'm a senior undergrad and about to obtain a bachelors in physics from a top US university. I specialized in solid state physics and am doing my undergrad honors thesis in graphene synthesis and characterization. I want to eventually work in the semiconductor industry or with nanomaterials. I'm set on going to graduate school but conflicted on whether to go into a Materials Science/Engineering masters program VS a Experimental Condensed Matter Physics Phd program.
First of all, let me make clear that:
-I DON'T WANT A CAREER IN ACADEMIA. I'm aiming for a career in industry. I'm more interested in working on applicable/practical projects with my physics education than having academic freedom. Also, I've heard that the job prospects in academic positions are dismal and that academia salaries cannot compete with industry salaries.
-I don't mind working as an "engineer" as a title. I'm aware that it'll be very unlikely that I'll be working on a project that is related to what I'm doing research in and I don't mind. I'm more interested in applying my mathematical/analytic/programming skills to solve problems.
-I'm more interested in physics than engineering. From my experience, physics courses has been far more challenging and interesting than engineering courses I've taken at my university. If I were to do choose a program simply based on what makes me happier, I'd go with physics. But because I'm worried about the employability of a Physics Phd in industry, so I'm considering MSE because it's the field of engineering that is most related to solid state physics.
Does anyone know how hard it is for someone with a Phd in experimental condensed matter to get a job in industry? Can the physics Phd compete with others with advanced engineering degrees? How do the salaries compare for someone with a physics phd vs an engineering masters?
Input from anyone with personal experience is greatly appreciated =).
First of all, let me make clear that:
-I DON'T WANT A CAREER IN ACADEMIA. I'm aiming for a career in industry. I'm more interested in working on applicable/practical projects with my physics education than having academic freedom. Also, I've heard that the job prospects in academic positions are dismal and that academia salaries cannot compete with industry salaries.
-I don't mind working as an "engineer" as a title. I'm aware that it'll be very unlikely that I'll be working on a project that is related to what I'm doing research in and I don't mind. I'm more interested in applying my mathematical/analytic/programming skills to solve problems.
-I'm more interested in physics than engineering. From my experience, physics courses has been far more challenging and interesting than engineering courses I've taken at my university. If I were to do choose a program simply based on what makes me happier, I'd go with physics. But because I'm worried about the employability of a Physics Phd in industry, so I'm considering MSE because it's the field of engineering that is most related to solid state physics.
Does anyone know how hard it is for someone with a Phd in experimental condensed matter to get a job in industry? Can the physics Phd compete with others with advanced engineering degrees? How do the salaries compare for someone with a physics phd vs an engineering masters?
Input from anyone with personal experience is greatly appreciated =).