What do physicists and engineers do?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the daily activities and working conditions of physicists and engineers, including their working hours and the likelihood of being sent to distant locations for work. Participants share personal experiences and suggest resources for further exploration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about the daily routines of physicists and engineers, highlighting a lack of knowledge about their actual work.
  • Another participant notes that there are many similar threads and emphasizes the variability in job roles and working conditions based on specific positions within physics and engineering.
  • A participant shares their personal experience of working from 9-5 on coding analysis and data-mining algorithms, mentioning infrequent travel for work due to the internet's role in remote collaboration.
  • One participant suggests that the type of engineering or physics role significantly influences daily activities and work conditions.
  • A participant recommends a website for additional information on careers in physics and engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there is no single answer to the questions posed, as experiences and job roles vary widely. Multiple competing views on the nature of work in these fields remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of personal anecdotes and opinions, with no consensus on specific daily activities or working conditions due to the diversity of roles in physics and engineering.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in physics or engineering, students exploring degree options, or those interested in understanding the professional landscape of these fields.

wrongusername
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What do physicists do over the whole day? What do engineers do over the whole day? What are the working hours for both like? Does an engineer get sent to faraway locations often (like get sent to another country or something to get things done)?


I enjoy learning and doing physics problems, but unfortunately I have little actual knowledge what physicists/engineers actually do everyday.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There are hundreds of threads exactly like this, do a search and you'll open up a wealth of information.

There are no exact answers to any of your questions - part of the bonus about taking a physics or engineering degree is that they open up a wealth of potential jobs afterwards. This means that work varies hugely from position-to-position, and so do the terms under which one works. However, what you will find it you search around the forums is plenty of anecdotes to help you make your mind up.

Me? I sit at a computer from 9-5 coding analysis and data-mining algorithms. I have not often been sent to a faraway location to work - the internet has scuppered that. Conferences and visits to other universities are possible, if you want to include things like that.
 
I think it depends on which type of engineer/physicist.
 
Check http://www.iop.org/careers/workinglife/index.html" website out, as well, it might help.
 
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