What Should I Major In: Passion or Job Security?

[canesdo]

Hey guys.
I am in my last year of high school and I need to figure out what my major is going to be, since I will be applying to universities next summer. I am really interested in astronomy but I know I would not be able to get a job in my country with a degree in either astronomy or astrophysics. So instead, I thought of doing a major in physics. But yet again, it is really hard to get a job in here with a physics degree. As a last resort, I am now thinking of majoring in mechanical engineering or mechatronics. I can't really say I am interested in engineering as much as I am interested in astrophysics or physics but I will have a better chance of employment. What do you think I should do? Should I go with something that I want to do or something that would get me a job?

 

[DrSteve]

I'm no expert on PF protocol, but my gut instinct is that you should consult this link
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-should-i-become-an-engineer-thread.15898/
first for insights to the questions you pose above

 

[Student100]

Hey guys.
I am in my last year of high school and I need to figure out what my major is going to be, since I will be applying to universities next summer. I am really interested in astronomy but I know I would not be able to get a job in my country with a degree in either astronomy or astrophysics. So instead, I thought of doing a major in physics. But yet again, it is really hard to get a job in here with a physics degree. As a last resort, I am now thinking of majoring in mechanical engineering or mechatronics. I can't really say I am interested in engineering as much as I am interested in astrophysics or physics but I will have a better chance of employment. What do you think I should do? Should I go with something that I want to do or something that would get me a job?

Something you want to do. Life is too short to be spent mulling over practically versus desires. A physics degree isn't nearly as unemployable as people may think - even if you don't up doing physics, at least you had the chance to study what interested you.

Obviously I'd recommend a physics degree over an astronomy degree for undergraduate, to keep as many options open as possible.

Really, this is a very personal question you'll have to answer yourself. It comes down to your own expectations and tolerance of perceived risks.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Obviously I'd recommend a physics degree over an astronomy degree for undergraduate, to keep as many options open as possible.

This. This is particularly true if you want to go to grad school in astronomy. Many schools have combined physics/astronomy departments and they want to make sure that their graduate students can pass their quals. A physics bachelor's goes part of the way towards doing this.