Is Age a Factor in Pursuing a Career in Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of age on pursuing a career in physics, particularly in relation to educational milestones such as obtaining a Bachelor's or PhD. Participants explore whether age affects job prospects, the importance of experience, and the role of the university attended.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Personal experiences

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether age significantly impacts a career in physics, suggesting that talent and performance may outweigh age differences.
  • Others argue that the average age for obtaining a PhD has increased, indicating that finishing at 27 or 28 is not unusual and may not be detrimental.
  • Several participants share personal experiences of returning to school later in life, emphasizing that age should not be a concern until much later.
  • There is a suggestion that the rigorous demands of a PhD program may not allow for a deep understanding of the material if completed too early.
  • Some express concerns about age affecting job opportunities in academia, while others believe that age is not a significant factor for universities.
  • One participant mentions their career path in health physics and plans for further education, highlighting the diversity of career options available beyond academia.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the role of age in pursuing a career in physics. While some believe age is not a significant factor, others express concerns about its potential impact on job prospects, particularly in academia.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying personal timelines and experiences, indicating that individual circumstances may influence perceptions of age in relation to educational and career goals. There is also mention of changing norms regarding the age at which degrees are obtained.

matthieulabelle
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Many people finish their BSc in physics at an average age (21-23). What i was wondering is, for a career in physics does age play a role in it? many of the smartest or well known physicists have their phd by 23, would getting it at 27 or 28 be any worse?

What matters more age, experience or the university you attend?
 
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Dont even worry about that question unless you are on your 60s
 
I dropped out of college when I was 19. I'm now 23 and I recently started going back. This fall I will be starting the equivalent of my sophomore year of pursuing a BS in physics (hopefully a Masters after that). I've also worried about being older than other applicants when I get out of school and go to find a job, but I generally subscribe to the theory that if you get good grades and perform excellently, your talent and skill will overcome the age difference. That not only keeps me going, but pushes me to excel over the "kids" sharing my classes.

Just study hard and no one will have room to diss your age.

*And stay in school, kids*
 
I went back to school at 35 and finished my B.S. at 41, so you have a way to go before you need to worry about it.
 
matthieulabelle said:
Many people finish their BSc in physics at an average age (21-23). What i was wondering is, for a career in physics does age play a role in it? many of the smartest or well known physicists have their phd by 23, would getting it at 27 or 28 be any worse?

What matters more age, experience or the university you attend?
No one gets their PhD at 23 anymore. Different era buddy. Average time for a PhD these days is 5+ years, after finishing a Bsc
 
yeah if you got a phd by the time your 23 I don't think you would have really had the time to grok all of what you studied.
 
daveb said:
I went back to school at 35 and finished my B.S. at 41, so you have a way to go before you need to worry about it.

daveb,

I'm just curious...did you major in physics? What's your career path?

I'm 35 and just got my BS in physics last spring, and now I'm working toward an MS. The degree took a whole lot longer than I expected due to circumstances out of my control, so now I'm trying to figure out what career options are open to me at my age. I'm thinking academia's out of the question, but NASA or something like it would be extremely cool.
 
After High School, I took a three year break before starting school, and even then I pittered around, poking at core classes. I'm now 25 and on my third year as a physics major towards a BS. I wont' have my Bachelor's until I'm probably 27 (I'm not one to take 18 credits a semester, I like soak time) and I'll probaby take a year here, working where I graduated before I go to grad school (which is another five plus years) so I probalby won't have my phd until I'm 32. I can't even imagine being 30.
 
My B.S. is a double in math and physics. Originally I had planned to get a job (not career) during the day and finish up a masters at night so I could teach community college (I enjoy teaching but don't want to teach HS, and the life of a PhD student is not for me at this point in my life). I work as a health physicist right now and am trying to get into Ohio State's Nuclear Engineering graduate program for a masters. I'll try to take the CHP exam in a few years once I qualify.
 
  • #10
PhD at 23? Yeah, right! :smile: Not anymore.
 
  • #12
SpaceCadet said:
daveb,

I'm just curious...did you major in physics? What's your career path?

I'm 35 and just got my BS in physics last spring, and now I'm working toward an MS. The degree took a whole lot longer than I expected due to circumstances out of my control, so now I'm trying to figure out what career options are open to me at my age. I'm thinking academia's out of the question, but NASA or something like it would be extremely cool.

Why would acedemia be out of the question? I don't think universities put THAT much an emphasis on age. Or do they?
 
  • #13
Not the ones I looked into. I just didn't want to tlive the life of a penniless grad student, so I didn't pursue a PhD.
 

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