Masters of engineering physics and employability

[kamelot]

I'm currently working on my bachelors in engineering physics and mathematics. I plan on getting a doctorate in particle physics but decided to get a masters in something engineering related that won't take me too far off the path physics. That way, I can make sure I get employed after I graduate as I wait for an opening as a Physics professor in Oklahoma.

quick questions:
1. Is a masters in engineering physics highly employable?
2. If it is highly employable, is it also highly employable in the research sector?
3. Is engineering physics still highly employable if you emphasize in particle physics?
4. If it is not highly employable while emphasizing in particle physics, then emphasizing in what area of physics makes it highly employable?
5. If a masters in engineering physics is not highly employable, then a masters in what field of engineering is highly employable that doesn't go too far off the path of something physics based (if any >.<)?

 

[fss]

The answer to basically all of your questions is "It depends on what kind of job you want." You need to be more specific. There are jobs and fields in which EP is a good degree to have, and others that it's not. If you want to be an engineer, you should get an engineering degree.

 

[D H]

To be a bit blunt, a sidetrack into engineering is not going to be as easy as you think. With the possible exception of electrical engineering, a good amount of backtracking will also required. You might think that aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering require a good amount of physics and mathematics. They certainly do. However, all of that quantum physics you are doing in your upper undergrad courses are pretty much irrelevant to those fields.

That said, the switch from physics to engineering can be made. My degree is in applied & engineering physics but I have been working as an aerospace engineer (and as a systems engineer and a software engineer) for the last thirty years.

 

[kamelot]

The answer to basically all of your questions is "It depends on what kind of job you want." You need to be more specific. There are jobs and fields in which EP is a good degree to have, and others that it's not. If you want to be an engineer, you should get an engineering degree.

Just as long as I can do something science related as I wait for an opening as a Physics professor in Oklahoma, then I don't mind (remember, I said that I'm still going to get a doctorate in particle physics). However, as I wait for an opening as a professor, I would prefer to do research in nano tech or other cutting edge areas.

 

[fss]

Just as long as I can do something science related as I wait for an opening as a Physics professor in Oklahoma, then I don't mind (remember, I said that I'm still going to get a doctorate in particle physics).

Getting a doctorate degree in High Energy Physics does not guarantee you a faculty position. The disparity between number of graduates and number of faculty positions is depressingly large.

However, as I wait for an opening as a professor, I would prefer to do research in nano tech or other cutting edge areas.

Is this before or after you finish your doctorate?