What careers are available for those interested in engineering and physics?

[ProfLayton]

I am almost a senior in high school (ya kinda early to be thinking about careers, but I can't help it) and I am utterly fascinated by engineering and physics. The only problem is that I don't really know what type of engineering I want to get into to satisfy my craving for knowledge.

I am great at math (never got below an A- and I am in pre-calculus/trigonometry), love science, and am decently good at working with people (I usually end up being the ring leader).

The main majors I am looking at are: Physics, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science.

Now that brings me to my question, what exactly can I do with those degrees? I was fascinated when my APES (AP Environmental Science) class started talking about Electric Vehicles and I feel drawn to the area of energy and electricity. What I am pondering on is what field of engineering tampers with Renewable Resources/Alternative Fuel Sources.

I have been doing a lot of research lately with magnets and motors and find myself fascinated by magnets, now that made me wonder if there is any certain field that deals with magnets (Mostly perm-magnets).

I know this is a lot, but I am still new to the idea of engineering while I have read a decent number of Physics books and plan on taking AP Physics in my Senior year of high school.

I hope that this is not to much to be answered and that there is something relatively close to what I have been searching after.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[PhanthomJay]

Sounds like your prime area of interest might be Electrical Engineering. Lot of math and calculus and physics involved (as in most branches of engineering). Electrical Engineering deals with electric vehicles, renewable power, magnetism, etc., as sub-disciplines. But mechanical engineers and chemical engineers also get involved in some of these areas. Even Civil and Structural Engineers. Take all the Engineering Science (electricity, statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics) courses in your early college years, plus of course Physics and Chemistry, and see what suits you best. And you don't have to go the best colleges in the world, either. Good Luck!

PS: Don't forget the Humanities! One of the top skills required of any discipline is the ability to communicate your thoughts clearly.

 

[ProfLayton]

Thanks for the reply.
Seems like I am on the right track.
I was planning on taking Electrical and Mechanical engineering during my first few years and see which I liked best (seems like I would like electrical the most though) along with Physics, Chemistry (chemistry just seems to love to sneak into every science) and Environmental Science.
Mechanical and Environmental science are kinda low on my priority list.

In your opinion would a PhD in physics or engineering be most helpful? Cause I want atleast one PhD and where it would best be applied.

Thanks again,
Brandon

 

[Kevin_Axion]

It seems like physics sneaks into every subject area.

 

[ProfLayton]

That is also very true xD

 

[PhanthomJay]

In your opinion would a PhD in physics or engineering be most helpful? Cause I want atleast one PhD and where it would best be applied.

Thanks again,
Brandon

I can tell you that of all the engineering people I've worked with in the past 40 years, I don't know, maybe a thousand from all disciplines, very few had PhD degrees...except my college professors. Most engineers have BS or MS degrees, and some go on later, at night, while working during the day, to get a Masters in Business Management or Administration. The ones with Doctorate degrees in Engineering usualy are professors, researchers, new technology developers, or knowledgeable specialists in a very particular area of Engineering, etc. I would think (but i don't know) that PhD's are generally best suited for Physics majors rather than Engineering Majors, but it seems that you want to be an engineer. See how it all plays out after your first 2 years at college, and then you'll have a much better idea of where you want to go and what you want to do (maybe).

 

[ProfLayton]

Thanks Jay :)
Thanks everyone. All of your replies helped monumentally.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[kote]

Engineering PhDs in industry will often work in R&D labs vs. working in engineering departments. See http://ge.geglobalresearch.com/ for example. They employ PhDs in physics, engineering, math, chemistry, etc. Engineering PhDs are well suited for the type of work done at places like GE's GRC. Take a look at their job postings for some examples of who works there and what type of things they do.

http://ge.geglobalresearch.com/careers/niskayuna-ny-usa/find-a-job/?

Here's the first ME PhD posting:
http://www.ge.com/jobsearch/jobs/Mechanical-Engineer-%E2%80%93-Propulsion-System-Acoustics/Engineering*slash*Technology/GE-Corporate/United-States/Niskayuna?jobid=1301928