Is it too late to become a physicist?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether it is too late for an individual, currently 24 years old and graduating with a business major, to pursue a second bachelor's degree in physics. The scope includes personal reflections on age and educational timelines in the context of becoming a physicist.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to transition from a business major to physics, questioning if starting at 25 or 26 is too late.
  • Another participant references previous threads suggesting that it is not too late to pursue physics, indicating a supportive perspective.
  • Some participants assert that it is never too late to start a career in physics, emphasizing personal motivation over age.
  • A later reply provides a detailed estimate of the time required to achieve a B.Sc., Ph.D., and postdoctoral experience, suggesting that the individual could be close to 40 by the time they are considered a physicist, while questioning the individual's personal feelings about the timing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that age should not be a barrier to pursuing physics, but there is a lack of consensus on the implications of the time required to complete the necessary education and training.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the time commitment involved in becoming a physicist, including the duration of undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as postdoctoral work, without resolving the personal implications of this timeline for the individual in question.

kajusu
I am now 24 and graduating a business major. I want to go for a second bachelors degree in physics. I already took an undergraduate physics course in my current college. I will be 25 or 26 when i start a physics major. Is it too late?
 
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I don't think it is ever too late to start.
 
kajusu said:
I am now 24 and graduating a business major. I want to go for a second bachelors degree in physics. I already took an undergraduate physics course in my current college. I will be 25 or 26 when i start a physics major. Is it too late?

Actually, it is a question that you should ask yourself.

Without you indicating where you are or where you intend to go to school, here's an estimate of the time it takes:

Period of time to get a B.Sc: 4 years
Period of time to get a Ph.D: 6 years
Period of time for Postdoc: 3 years

So by the time you are ready to be a "physicist", it will have taken 13 years on average for you to get there. This is before considering your ability to (i) get a postdoc in the first place and (ii) get an employment that will allow you to be a "physicist". You will be close to being 40 by the time you are considered ready.

There is nothing in the educational system that will prevent you at your age from pursuing this. However, do YOU think it is too late for YOU to be a physicist?

Zz.
 
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