Too late to major in engineering, will physics do it?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of majoring in physics as an alternative pathway to a career in engineering, particularly for a college sophomore who is considering a shift from a music performance degree. The conversation touches on the challenges of transitioning into engineering, the implications of pursuing a physics degree, and the potential need for graduate education.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to shift from a music performance degree to engineering but is concerned about the difficulty of engineering programs and the application process at UCLA.
  • Another participant suggests that majoring in physics could be a viable alternative to engineering, noting that employers may hire based on qualifications rather than specific majors.
  • There is a question about whether a physics major would require attending graduate school to pursue a career in engineering, with the response indicating that it depends on the specific job position.
  • Some participants challenge the notion of "playing catch-up," questioning the urgency of graduating quickly and suggesting that starting over as an engineering freshman or sophomore could be acceptable.
  • Concerns are raised about the financial implications of extending undergraduate studies beyond the typical duration, emphasizing the desire to graduate as soon as possible.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of rushing to graduate and the implications of pursuing a physics degree versus engineering. There is no consensus on the best path forward, as opinions vary on the importance of majoring in engineering versus physics and the potential need for graduate education.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of personal circumstances, including the participant's background, financial considerations, and academic challenges, which may influence their decision-making process. Specific assumptions about job qualifications and the transition between majors remain unresolved.

learningsumth
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Hey guys,
I'm currently a sophomore in college and after doing quite a bit of soul searching, I've realized that engineering might be the right path for my future career-wise. I started off college with a music performance degree (I love music and still do) but after doing it for a while, I realized I needed it to be more of a hobby than a profession.
I've always been interested in technology, computers, and breaking down/making things but I've heard all the horror stories of how hard engineering is, so I tried staying off that path for a while. But after quarters of taking liberal arts classes in discontent, I decided to take some math/science classes, and although they were very hard, I enjoyed them for the most part. I can't be sure if I'll enjoy engineering, but at this point, I don't really have anything else in mind.
Problem is, at my school (UCLA), you must apply to the engineering school and the engineers are on an extremely tight schedule class-wise. If I somehow made it in (unlikely, considering how behind I am), I would be playing major catch-up, cramming a million classes in per quarter and graduating in well over 5 years.

That's when I thought of physics - I know how tough the major is, but I've got all the general education requirements covered (unlike for engineering because they belong to different schools within UCLA) so I would still have some room to breathe in terms of the number of classes I need to take.

Of course, if I wanted to be an engineer (computer I'm thinking...), majoring in engineering is ideal. But right now, this doesn't look like a possibility. What's your opinion about majoring in physics to pursue a career in engineering? I am taking computer programming classes on the side. Would I need to go to graduate school? If so, how likely are they going to take a physics major for engineering?

Thanks guys, sorry bout the long post.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
learningsumth said:
What's your opinion about majoring in physics to pursue a career in engineering?
Read the sticky at the top of this forum.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=15898
I am taking computer programming classes on the side. Would I need to go to graduate school?
Depends on the position.
If so, how likely are they going to take a physics major for engineering?
Any employer is likely to hire someone that can convince them that they are qualified for the position. This is true for any major and any position, not just physics and engineering.
 
Playing catch-up with who? It's not a race. What's wrong with starting over as an engineering freshman/sophomore?
 
contramundum said:
Playing catch-up with who? It's not a race. What's wrong with starting over as an engineering freshman/sophomore?

I want to graduate ASAP because it costs money to be here...it's okay if I go a quarter or two over, but if I don't play "catch-up" my undergrad career with engineering will take over 6 years (because I am essentially 2 years behind the engineers)!
 

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