- #1
smashueatu
- 18
- 4
After I finished my EE degree (Major/Cumul GPA: 3.6, mostly A's in math and physics) in December 2015, I began work as a programmer at an electric company for a couple of years. I saved up a good amount of money and established myself to the point where I have the free time to even think about education and where I want to go next.
Some part of me always wanted to pursue higher education in physics due to the amazing experience I had in my physics courses at university, so I am considering going back to pursue an advanced degree. I maintained no relationships with professors after graduation, although I worked with two of them on research.
So, should I pursue a master's first to solve the problem of the knowledge gap and lack of relationships? Or is there a path forward to apply directly for a PhD? Is a master's degree seen as a negative in the physics community, especially when applying for PhD programs? Is my decision to pursue an alternative career path viewed as a negative within the physics community, especially when applying for PhD programs and jobs?
I hold no illusion of obtaining an academic position. I just have a strong interest in the subject and working in it (whatever that means), and I haven't found any good answers to my questions.
Before ZapperZ comments, I am aware of this post: https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...if-my-bachelors-degree-isnt-in-physics.64966/
And I am NOT even remotely academically ready for a PhD program or even a master's program. Some refreshing and new learning is needed.
Some part of me always wanted to pursue higher education in physics due to the amazing experience I had in my physics courses at university, so I am considering going back to pursue an advanced degree. I maintained no relationships with professors after graduation, although I worked with two of them on research.
So, should I pursue a master's first to solve the problem of the knowledge gap and lack of relationships? Or is there a path forward to apply directly for a PhD? Is a master's degree seen as a negative in the physics community, especially when applying for PhD programs? Is my decision to pursue an alternative career path viewed as a negative within the physics community, especially when applying for PhD programs and jobs?
I hold no illusion of obtaining an academic position. I just have a strong interest in the subject and working in it (whatever that means), and I haven't found any good answers to my questions.
Before ZapperZ comments, I am aware of this post: https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...if-my-bachelors-degree-isnt-in-physics.64966/
And I am NOT even remotely academically ready for a PhD program or even a master's program. Some refreshing and new learning is needed.