Physics or Electrical Engineering

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a professional considering a significant career shift. After five years in software engineering and holding an MS in Computer Science, the individual is contemplating pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering (EE) but feels little interest in that field. Instead, there is a strong desire to study Physics, despite lacking a solid background in the subject. The dilemma is intensified by personal responsibilities, including being the sole income provider for a family with two children. The individual is weighing the option of completing a PhD in EE, which would lead to a career in a field of limited interest, versus pursuing an MS in Mathematics followed by a PhD in Physics, which would take longer but align more closely with personal passions. The discussion highlights the tension between professional stability and personal fulfillment, with insights on the feasibility of transitioning from EE to Physics based on examples of others who have made similar shifts.
hariyo
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I am in serious dilemma what to choose. I work as software profession till now for 5 yrs and I am already 30 yrs old.Lately I was thinking going back to school and apply for EE(signal procession or communication or RF) for phd. I got admission on them too but I am least interested onto it though I did my bachelor in electronics and telecom engineering.Here in US I did MS in CS some 5 yrs back.I really wanted to do phd before I become too old to do it.Now having family with 2 kids and me only source of income,it is tough but I am determine to do against all odds.
Now my question is I am more interested in Physics(theoretical or mathematical) and I dream of having phd in physics in my belt but I don't have enough background on both physics and math except what they used to teach in engineering.So, should I go and complete my phd in EE where I will probably be around 35+ by then and latter part of my life just take physics as hobby? OR should I go for MS in mathematics and then latter phd in physics which will add more couple of year to it.
I saw couple of resume floating in internet where they did Bachelor in EE and did MS and phd in Physics.So, I know this seems possible but at what cost? Somebody wrote do what you like and here I am in complete dilemma state as what to do?
 
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Sorry folks for asking some stupid question. I should have seen earlier threads before putting this question. I see lot of threads similar to mine. I think I know what I wanted to do now.Thx..
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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