- #1
chandrahas
- 72
- 2
I am currently a international freshman studying in Stony Brook and majoring in Physics and, if appropriate and after official request, Mathematics. I feel very passionate about theoretical physics and intend to get a phd in it and get into academia soon after graduation. I believe double majoring in Mathematics would compliment my Physics major and better prepare me for formally understanding the math behind QFT, GR etc (and I am also quite interested in mathematics). However, what I am concerned about is what I will do if I don't immediately get into graduate school and get stipends. I am attending university on a student loan and thus would need a source of income to pay it back immediately after graduation. So, I looked up what jobs are available to physicists, and as it turns out, the only jobs are in finance or banking, in which I take little interest.
I understand that physics is not a vocational degree, but I would like to know what I can do to get a job that is closer to physics than finance. And what other opportunities there are. Perhaps I could do internships, independent studies related to certain industries, or take certain courses that would help me find a job. But I am not sure what I could do. If all other options are exhausted, should I drop mathematics to pursue a vocational major like mechanical engineering (also interested, but I prefer math because it supports physics)?
Thank you
I understand that physics is not a vocational degree, but I would like to know what I can do to get a job that is closer to physics than finance. And what other opportunities there are. Perhaps I could do internships, independent studies related to certain industries, or take certain courses that would help me find a job. But I am not sure what I could do. If all other options are exhausted, should I drop mathematics to pursue a vocational major like mechanical engineering (also interested, but I prefer math because it supports physics)?
Thank you