Looking for Direction - 23 YO Mechanical Engineer

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the educational and career aspirations of a 23-year-old mechanical engineer who is seeking guidance on course selection and future pathways in physics and engineering. The scope includes academic planning, career development, and personal interests in astrophysics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (JC) expresses a desire to pursue a physics degree after completing a minor in mechanical engineering, believing this combination will enhance job prospects and experience.
  • Some participants suggest that JC should complete more mathematics courses before diving into physics or engineering classes, emphasizing the importance of foundational knowledge.
  • JC mentions a preference for astrophysics as a long-term goal, indicating a specific interest in that field.
  • Another participant humorously engages with JC's interest in "Stargate," linking personal interests in science fiction to potential career paths in physics and engineering.
  • JC shares a curiosity about wormhole physics and has developed basic concepts related to frequency and magnetism, indicating a desire to explore these topics further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of foundational mathematics for pursuing physics and engineering, but there are no clear resolutions on the best educational path for JC, as multiple perspectives on course selection and career strategy are presented.

Contextual Notes

JC's background includes prior electrical classes from military service, and there is mention of a transition to full-time study in the future. The discussion reflects a mix of personal interests and academic planning without definitive conclusions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in physics or engineering, particularly those with a background in military service or those interested in astrophysics and related fields.

xclr82xtc
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HI guys, first post!

i guess i should give you a little back ground. I am 23. I am a very mechanically inclined person, and very curious. As a kid, i would take stuff apart, figure out how it worked, and then get bored with it and not even put it back together :D lol. so i always thought physics/engineering would be right for me. now 15 years later, I am finally getting my life together and going to school..just to a community college for now, and I am hoping to transfer to NC State in the next 5 years (they have a excellent physics department from what I am told)

SO anyways, I am just trying to figure out where i should go with my classes for now. I already have a ton of electrical classes from my time in the air force. along with some elective classes that you get from basic training etc... and I am finishing up my college allgebra class now.

Im thinking in this job market it would be best to get a minor in engineering (mechanical) first, and get all my core classes done. and then major in physics later (which is where i really want to be) my thinking, is that the engineering degree will get me a job and experience with design and implementation, and then the addition of physics degree will get me a better job doing more of the research and development stuff i want to do.

sorry for the long post, and i hope maybe you can see what I am asking. I am not very good at communication things when i don't even have a great understanding of what it is i want to do lol. anyways, what do you guys think

JC

by the way, my wife is going to be and officer in the AF in 2 years, and when that happens ill be going to school full time, and hopefully doing some kind of apprenticeship somewhere.
 
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i guess i should also say that stargate is my favorite tv show :D :D :D

jk but astrophysics is where i want to end up.
 
You'll need a few more semesters of math before you can even really start on physics or engineering. While you're working your way past calc 1, knock out a chunk of your gen ed requirements. Once you finish calc 1, you can really start getting into the physics and engineering.
 
thank you, i acually just found the "so you want to be a physicist" thread and its actually very insightful
 
SG-1 or Atlantis? Your preference is very important. So is your favorite character. These show a lot about your personality and where you would like to go in life. I mean, are you more interested in wormhole physics and interstellar travel, or the design of Zats (boy, we don't want those things to get into the hands of the general public, how could we ever prove a murder that resulted from a third shot (unless that is covered in an episode I have yet to see; then, I don't want to hear about it)) and crystal technology?

Sorry, I am a huge SG fan. Had to make this stupid comment.
 
aCogCorroded said:
SG-1 or Atlantis? Your preference is very important. So is your favorite character. These show a lot about your personality and where you would like to go in life. I mean, are you more interested in wormhole physics and interstellar travel, or the design of Zats (boy, we don't want those things to get into the hands of the general public, how could we ever prove a murder that resulted from a third shot (unless that is covered in an episode I have yet to see; then, I don't want to hear about it)) and crystal technology?

Sorry, I am a huge SG fan. Had to make this stupid comment.


haha, atlantis. maybe a few of the newer sg1 episodes.as far as sceintist, i have to say I am likin carter the best...obvisouly. lol mckay to cockey, zalenka to much of a wus. other than that my favorite was Carson till he got killed.

lol anyways, worm hole physics is what I am interested in. and I've acually got a couple of VERY basic frequency/magenetism tunnel concepts. that's why i need physics in my life haha.
 
actually just got done watchin the episode where rodney blew up the solar system...cmon, who'd want to be that guy lol
 

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