Navigating a Career in Engineering/Physics after Naval Academy Service

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous23
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Career naval
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the career paths available for individuals interested in pursuing engineering or physics after attending the Naval Academy and completing the required service. Participants explore the implications of military service on further education and career opportunities in civilian roles within these fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Career-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about continuing education after five years of military service and questions the feasibility of being accepted into prestigious graduate programs like MIT or Caltech.
  • Another participant reassures that pursuing a Ph.D. later in life is common, citing examples of individuals obtaining their degrees in their forties.
  • A suggestion is made to consider the Navy ROTC program, which could provide financial support and opportunities in nuclear engineering, appealing to those interested in military service.
  • Some participants discuss the choice between attending the Naval Academy followed by military service versus a traditional four-year undergraduate program, weighing the pros and cons of each path.
  • There is mention of the possibility of taking graduate classes during military service and obtaining a master's equivalent, which may facilitate a smoother transition to a Ph.D. program afterward.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best path forward, as there are competing views on the value of military service versus a civilian education route. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal career trajectory.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the impact of military service on educational opportunities and career prospects, with some uncertainty regarding the acceptance criteria for graduate programs after a service period.

Anonymous23
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hello,

I'm interested in applying for the Naval Academy. I know they have great undergraduate programs in both engineering and physics, which I'm really interested in. (I'm not sure which one exactly I want to get a degree in yet). Graduates from the Naval Academy are required to spend 5 years on active duty. I don't have a problem with this at all; in fact; I really want to serve my country. The problem is this: how will I be able to continue my education after those 5 years of service? Is it even possible to still be accepted to a good Physics/Engineering school? The schools I'd like to go to for Grad/Ph.D years would be like MIT, Caltech, etc. Would this ruin my chances of getting in? Is it a good idea to even get a Ph.D that late?

Any information would be amazing. As you can see I have a lot of questions, and a detailed explanation would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Matt.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Son, there are people who don't get their PhD's until their forties.

In all seriousness, it sounds like a great plan to me. If you like nuclear engineering you could do a navy ROTC program at a good school and go into the naval nuclear power school. I hear they are desperate for new recruits and they will pay you ~$20000 a year for two years before you even begin your training (as long as you stay in school with good grades). If the military is your thing I would hit that up. I'm sure the navy has plenty of opportunities in other fields of engineering as well. If you're into aerospace engineering or computer science, try the air force.
 


Well, I don't want to pursue a military career, although I do want to spend some time in the service. What I'd like is a civilian job as a physicist or an engineer. I just need help choosing between:

Naval Academy -> 5 years of service -> Masters -> Ph.D -> job

or

Regular 4-year undergrad program -> Masters -> Ph.D -> job
 


Anonymous23 said:
Well, I don't want to pursue a military career, although I do want to spend some time in the service. What I'd like is a civilian job as a physicist or an engineer. I just need help choosing between:

Naval Academy -> 5 years of service -> Masters -> Ph.D -> job

or

Regular 4-year undergrad program -> Masters -> Ph.D -> job

Not sure if nuclear is your thing, but with the Navy program I mentioned you can take graduate classes, receive the Navy's "equivalent" of a master's degree in engineering, and teach nuclear engineering to recruits for four years. I don't think you even have to go onto a ship if you take the instructor track, and you will receive officer pay. My guess is you could go directly into a PhD program after finishing your service.

edit: http://www.navy.com/careers/nuclear-energy/nuclear-power-school.html
 

Similar threads

Other Leveraging engineering B.E. after pivoting to Physics - impossible?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Double majoring in electrical engineering and physics
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
6K
Deciding between Physics or Engineering after a very turbulent year
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
Other More formal education later in career
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How to switch from engineering with unknown undergrad name to Physics?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Looking to start a new career in physics, need some advice
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Programs Academic/Career Crossroads: Teacher to ME to Naval Flight officer....
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Programs Trying to decide what program to study (physics or engineering)
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Getting into an engineering career with no degree...
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Considering Switching from Physics to Computer Engineering
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K