Physics as a career

Hello all.

I'm currently a computer science major, but after taking a few undergrad physics courses and really enjoying the material, I have been considering a change to studying physics instead. My concern is, after earning a degree, what realistic career opportunities would I have to start out with? How did any of you start out? I really worry that if I did major in physics, I would be flipping burgers after getting my degree because of the "no experience" factor.

Also, since I equally enjoy studying either computer science or physics, which major would you think offers the most opportunity? What would you suggest in terms of job environment and other factors?

Thanks everyone!

Unless you really have a burning interest in physics and maths, flipping burgers will be a much better option.

Read some of the more academic threads here to gauge whether you have what it takes to stay the pace.

After reading if you still don't understand the difference between classical and quantum physics and don't care to know, send your resume to the fast food.

You need a graduate degree in physics to be even considered for physics-related careers.

In several years, you may change your mind, on the other hand.

Physics used to be considered "beautiful" or "pretty", but now it seems just another way to use expensive machines.

Career options are always limited if you stay in one field or area, and that area has limited interactions with society. Very artsy or very scientific fields are like that.

I would think you would have to weigh it against the computer science field. If you are in America I understand those jobs are quickly going overseas. You may be damned if you do and damned if you don't. Though I could be wrong about that.

Good luck.

The best paying jobs in physics would be in military research. You will have to decide also then , if you want to work in the military Field.
On the other hand a B.Sc. in physics is a good start towards a career in teaching high school.

If you do have any leanings towards teaching then by all means take the physics. One pet bugaboo of mine is that history majors are teaching our students math and science.

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I understand where most of you are coming from, but surely there must be something for me to do after I graduate with a B.S. If the prospects aren't that great, i might as well just stick to computer science.

Maybe i can combine the two and double major in both. Does this sound like something worth my while to do?

I want to make a little money before going to grad school. Maybe that just isn't possible with a Physics B.S.

My grandfather was an engineer at Rocketdyne with only a B.S. Maybe electrical engineering is a better choice of major than just strait physics. What do all of you think?

Sure, I might like teaching someday, but I want some real life experience first. How does one get working experience in physics without a masters degree? Or is that even possible (generally speaking)?

I too am a high school student considering a career in physics. I can't remember a time when I didn't want to be some type of physicist. I love physics, i love learning about how things operate, and I love math. Over the past two years, I've decided that I'm going to apply to MIT, and there get a M.D. in physics and math. I then plan to finish my physics at Caltech. Does this sound good to any of you? I would really like to work as a theoretical physicist at Fermilab, or the LHC. So my question is, if I love physics, and I'm willing to work hard, should I continue on this path. I ask because I am also very musically inclined (I was invited to Juillard to study with Yoheved Kaplinsky this summer), and I know I would do well in performing arts career...but I don't know what I'm up against in physics(-My town's pop.: approx. 12,000). I would be very grateful for any comments you might have.

Please let us all know how that MD in math works out for you...

I am thinking that you meant to say PhD??? If that isn't the case, what school were you thinking of attending that confers a Medical Math degree?

It really all depends where you look. As far as training, you don't get a whole lot of difference between Eng, phys, and comp sci as far as skills, even though the specific topics are much different. In all 3 you are learning problem solving skills, and you use mathematical models for all of them. Doing a double major isn't a bad idea. A lot of the fields in physics involve computer simulations. Experimental particle physics has a huge component of programming in it, as does a lot of fields of theoretical physics. Mainly because some equations can not be done analytically anymore. If you want to work in a lab with a BSc you will have to expect to be doing work, not much physics thinking. I am currently an undergraduate student in physics doing a co-op. I am doing some pretty cool research, but when it comes right down to it, the problem solving I get to do is related to making things work, not the actual physics of it. Without a masters degree, or most likely a PhD (not MD, sorry kid) you won't get to do much research.

First of all, physics is a HUGE field, so you are not going to be able to get experience in all levels. As a comp sci student I would suggest to find a physics professor who uses computers in his research, and ask him if you can either do summer work for him, or if money is of no concern, as him if you can volunteer for him to do some research. Tell him your considering to switching to a physics major, or something like that, but thats the best way to get any type of experience. Now, your not going to get to do any theoretical physics as an undergraduate. You probably don't know enough math to do that.

Thats pretty ambitious, except, as the other posted you can not get an MD in physics or math, but you could get a PhD. Most likely only in one or the other. Don't fret, that doesn't mean you have to choose one. If you look in the math departments at most universities a few math professors will actually be doing physics research, and many string theorists actually are mathematicians by trade. Also, the study of turbulant flows is often done by mathematicians too, even though its a physics problem (the only major unsolved classical physics problem actually.)

If you like physics, give it a try. A PhD physics student I know does physics as well as composes music, so you can probably do both. A piece of advice though, you will probably move around more than 2 universities in your career. You might stay at one university for you BSc-PhD (some people get masters degrees too), but that isn't all that common, and after that your likely to do a few post doctorial positions at different universities before you get a professor ship position. And that is assuming that you can get the degrees. Getting a physics degree is not a trivial thing. I work hard, and although now I am certain I will get my BSc, I am not certain I will get a masters and/or a PhD.

haha, opps, i didn't mean to type MD. ..I was sort of in a hurry.
I meant that I want a master's in physics and math from MIT. Then I'd like to get my PhD in physics from Caltech.
...sorry for the misunderstanding.