Need Advice: Should I Stay in Physics or Switch Majors?

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An undergraduate physics major is struggling with a challenging course that is affecting their mental health and enthusiasm for the subject. They have a strong interest in working for companies like Intel, focusing on computer hardware and potentially software development. Switching majors could delay graduation and increase debt, which is a significant concern. They are considering completing their physics degree while exploring research opportunities in computer science and electrical engineering. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning academic pursuits with career aspirations and the potential benefits of networking with companies of interest.
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Currently I am an Undergrad Physics major. I am suppose to start research next semester in order to prepare me for graduate school and get a PhD. While this has been easy for some my current physics class has driven me into the ground and the hardness of it is making me dislike physics completely. I personally think it is because the class is so difficult and demanding (20+ hrs a week), but the class is also making me feel extremely dumb and depressed about myself. As of now I do not however want to keep going on like I currently am and am unsure of what to do (the professor makes it intentionally hard and over half the class has already dropped).

Additionally, I have had a long desire to work at a company such as Intel and build computer hardware such as processors and CPU. I do not feel as though this is the only job I would like to do because I am probably going to want to switch and work as a software developer and maybe some form of a researcher and other things as well.

If I switch majors now then I will not graduate on time and probably be spending 5 years at my university. I do not have this as an option because I do not want to occur any more debt then I currently have. Another option I have considered is finishing out a degree in physics and while researching in computer science and electrical engineering area since a lot of what my university has to offer interest me, but since research is very major based I do not feel as this will be an option. Finally, getting internships in computer science seem impossible for me to get given not being a major in the area and not having similar experience to my peers currently even with an abundant supply available.
 
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LonePhysicist said:
Additionally, I have had a long desire to work at a company such as Intel and build computer hardware such as processors and CPU.
Then so contact those companies and tell them about your enthusiasm!
 
rootone said:
Then so contact those companies and tell them about your enthusiasm!

I do not have a degree yet and that is one of the requirements for even which would be in physics or one of the related engineering disciplines. I am not looking to get a job currently I am looking to figure out my life at this moment., am just unsure of what to do realistically. Unless if I am missing something please explain because maybe I am not seeing your point as well.
 
Probably best to just concentrate on getting a basic qualification then for now.
My own experience is that 'getting personal' about what some company does is good for employment prospects.
A company is after all a group of people with a shared objective.
 
LonePhysicist said:
Additionally, I have had a long desire to work at a company such as Intel and build computer hardware such as processors and CPU. I do not feel as though this is the only job I would like to do because I am probably going to want to switch and work as a software developer and maybe some form of a researcher and other things as well.

If I switch majors now then I will not graduate on time and probably be spending 5 years at my university.
It sounds like computer engineering is the right major for you. If you're in the US, five years to complete an engineering degree is common.
 
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TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...

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