- #1
spb
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I've gone through both "ZapperZ's "So you want to be a Physicist?"" and "The Should-I-Become-An-Engineer? Thread", and I am still having a tough time figuring out what exactly I want to do. Both threads, and many other threads, have given me a lot of insight about what each field involves, but a few things are getting in the way of my decision. The way I see my two options are as follows:
1. Get a BS in X-Engineering, and get a job thus allowing me to really start my life (get married, start a family, buy a house, etc)
2. Get a BS in Physics*, continue onto graduate school to get my Ph.D., do a year or three of post-doctoral work, then get a real job and start my life.
I would truly enjoy a job in either field, but I really do not want to wait so long to start my life. However, I would simply not feel accomplished with myself if I did not get a Ph.D. in physics, and that would follow me through life. It really is a difficult decision, as I want both of those things very badly. What would you do?
*I do realize that it is possible to get a job with a BS in physics, but in the back of my mind I know that a BS in Engineering would be a lot more appealing to employers, as I would want an engineering-related job if I got a 4-year degree. I am also very open to suggestions about obtaining a good job (engineering-related not a requirement) with only a 4-year (or even 6-year**) Physics degree.
**Last asterisks, I promise. I have also been lead to believe that a Masters degree in physics is not very practical, whereas a Master of Engineering degree is. General insight on that is also welcome.
Thank you very much for reading all of that, and thank you for any advice.
1. Get a BS in X-Engineering, and get a job thus allowing me to really start my life (get married, start a family, buy a house, etc)
2. Get a BS in Physics*, continue onto graduate school to get my Ph.D., do a year or three of post-doctoral work, then get a real job and start my life.
I would truly enjoy a job in either field, but I really do not want to wait so long to start my life. However, I would simply not feel accomplished with myself if I did not get a Ph.D. in physics, and that would follow me through life. It really is a difficult decision, as I want both of those things very badly. What would you do?
*I do realize that it is possible to get a job with a BS in physics, but in the back of my mind I know that a BS in Engineering would be a lot more appealing to employers, as I would want an engineering-related job if I got a 4-year degree. I am also very open to suggestions about obtaining a good job (engineering-related not a requirement) with only a 4-year (or even 6-year**) Physics degree.
**Last asterisks, I promise. I have also been lead to believe that a Masters degree in physics is not very practical, whereas a Master of Engineering degree is. General insight on that is also welcome.
Thank you very much for reading all of that, and thank you for any advice.