Re: Why major in physics


Jschroet@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Hi
> I am a high school juinor with a life long interest in physics
> I was wondering what are reasons to major in physics
> What jobs can you get with a physics degree?
> Is it too hard to get,like do people drop out?
> What are the typical requirments for the degree
> thanks

It depends on whether you're interested in a career or the subject.
This is a crucial distinction.

Physics departments offer BAs and BSs and MAs and MSs as consolation
prizes or stepping stones. They are singularly focused on producing
academic physicists -- which is a shame. However, it is what it is, and
a PhD is the only truly useful physics degree. This will be quite
demanding, but then again, so is any PhD. The good news is that earning
a PhD will ironically open all sorts of career doors for you, including
those well outside physics, because a PhD physicist knows how to
communicate, how to collaborate, how to solve tough problems, and how
to drive a project to completion without much external direction. Thus,
as long as you're not wedded to continuing in physics, a PhD in physics
is an excellent tactic for a career search.

On the other hand, if you are enamored with the field, then you will
work as hard as necessary to get as far as you can in the field. You
will find yourself consumed by the subject matter, regardless whether
you find it easy or hard, fun or tortuous. In other words, if you love
physics, it simply won't matter what the degree requirements are;
you'll just do them without worrying about it. If you are well suited,
then you will acquire the skills required for the PhD. If you are not
well suited, then you will accept the BS or the MA and try for a high
school teaching position or a technical (not necessarily scientific)
field as a vocation where you can continue to play in physics. You will
not be well-supported in this career path by your physics department,
and you will have to wrestle with an undeserved feeling of failure for
a while, but that will be temporary.

If you're looking for something that is both fun and easy, then I
suggest not pursuing college. Those valuable four to twelve years in
the prime of your life would be better spent earning money in a real
job that is fun and easy, like bartending.

PD

.

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