Physics Physics Lecturer Struggling to Make Ends Meet

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The discussion centers around the challenges faced by a physics lecturer with a master's degree who has halted their PhD due to insufficient research funding and support. Despite completing coursework and passing the comprehensive exam, the lecturer is dissatisfied with a salary of $45,000 per year, especially when high school physics teachers in the area earn $55,000 but require a master's in education. The lecturer is considering transitioning to engineering and taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, but is hesitant to return to school due to financial constraints and existing student loans. The conversation highlights the disparity in salaries, noting a friend's success as a project manager in construction despite a lower GPA in electrical engineering, raising questions about the value of academic performance versus practical job skills. The overall sentiment reflects frustration with compensation and job satisfaction in academia compared to other fields.
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Currently a Physics Lecture, have my MS in physics after having to stop or hault my PHD due to lack of research funding/support/ decent people. Finished my PHD coursework, & Comp exam.


Salary isn't that great as a lecturer. Only 45/year. Teaching physics in high school starts you at 55 where I live, but you need a masters in ed just to do that.

Thinking about going into engineering, taking the FE exam and swinging a job there.

Don't want to go back to school now because I don't have the money. Still have college loans.

I have a friend who majored in EE, with a crappy 3.0 gpa, making close to 100per year as a project manager in construction.

I had a 3.7, honors and all that crap... each day I get more disgruntled. Money isn't everything but it would be nice to be compensated and not have to worrying about getting by on your salary.



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how did your 3.0 gpa Electrical engineering major friend end up as a manager for a construction company? That's kind of interesting to say the least =)
 
project manager..

The same way that sarah palin became a VP candidate
 
kramer733 said:
how did your 3.0 gpa Electrical engineering major friend end up as a manager for a construction company? That's kind of interesting to say the least =)

why not, some company they would like to hire a person who really can do the job for them not looking how many papers they obtained from school
 
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