Is majoring in physics a good long-term investment?

[Jangru]

Alright so I am 3 quarters into high school, and my marks are looking pretty optimistic. They're not the best, but definitely above average (88% overall). I really enjoy physics and math, and I find physics especially very intriguing. Throughout high school, I have wanted to major in physics in university. But now I have been thinking about it, and I do not see if physics will be a beneficial long-term investment in my life. Yes, I love the subject and my ideal future would be a research scientist, but I am not sure what my outlook is on getting a research job at a university (as not many positions are available), or if it would pay my bills/debt. I really want to do what I would do if I didn't have to worry about money, but money isn't something that is easy to come by in my situation. Any suggestions on if I should follow my passion? And how would I get by in life following said passion? Anything helps, thanks.

 

[symbolipoint]

Alright so I am 3 quarters into high school, and my marks are looking pretty optimistic. They're not the best, but definitely above average (88% overall). I really enjoy physics and math, and I find physics especially very intriguing. Throughout high school, I have wanted to major in physics in university. But now I have been thinking about it, and I do not see if physics will be a beneficial long-term investment in my life. Yes, I love the subject and my ideal future would be a research scientist, but I am not sure what my outlook is on getting a research job at a university (as not many positions are available), or if it would pay my bills/debt. I really want to do what I would do if I didn't have to worry about money, but money isn't something that is easy to come by in my situation. Any suggestions on if I should follow my passion? And how would I get by in life following said passion? Anything helps, thanks.

Earning an income and a STABLE income is a good thing to do. Best chance for this, if you like or believe you like Physics, is earn a university degree in Engineering or Computer Science.

 

[Jangru]

Earning an income and a STABLE income is a good thing to do. Best chance for this, if you like or believe you like Physics, is earn a university degree in Engineering or Computer Science.

I prefer computer science over engineering. So would it be a good idea to major in physics and minor in computer science?

 

[symbolipoint]

I prefer computer science over engineering. So would it be a good idea to major in physics and minor in computer science?

At this early stage of the topic discussion, wait for other members to comment on any advice or suggestions, especially regarding your original post on this topic.

 

[CrysPhys]

To: OP. Just to confirm, are you talking about the US (if not, what country)?

 

[Choppy]

We get this kind of question a lot in these forums. Try searching around a little and you'll see very similar questions and responses.

It sounds to me like you're already well aware of how difficult it is to actually get a job as a professor. Even if you obtain a PhD in physics, the odds are stacked against you. And it's not a case of simply just being "good enough." The pool of PhD graduates tends to be full of highly talented, motivated, dedicated and just generally smart people. That's not to say it's impossible, or that it's not worth trying. Unfortunately there just isn't a lot of room in the ivory tower of academia.

But that said, it's important to make decisions based on data, and be aware of what you're actually deciding.

At this point, you're not making a decision on your career specifically. You're facing a decision about your education. While the two are linked, choosing to study physics does not mean you will go on to be either a physicist or unemployed. Choosing engineering does not necessarily mean that you'll end up working as an engineer. And choosing computer science is not a meal ticket to lifelong employment as a programmer.

You might want to check out some of the statistics that the AIP keeps, specifically with respect to employment if you choose to study physics:
https://www.aip.org/statistics

Another important point is that studying physics isn't just limited to what is often portrayed in popular science books. There are professional branches of physics like medical physics or geophysics, for example, that can lead to very rewarding careers.