5 answers
Tyler
Student
Rochester, New York
1
Question
Asked
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I'm in a research oriented major (physics) and am having trouble deciding on going to grad school or beginning the hunt for work. What are some things I can do to help make a decision?
I'm a physics major and I haven't had any co-op opportunities yet, but I'm interested in what careers I should be looking for, or if I should be dedicated to grad school. Any help is much appreciated! #physics #grad-school
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5 answers
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
176
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Going to graduate school or not is a tough question. I had been there almost half a century ago. One way for me to procrastinate was to go to graduate school. Since I was offered graduate assistantship (total tuition waived plus a handsome stipend to live on) all the way to Ph.D., staying in school was a viable delaying tactic. The only penalty of my decision was that I did not start my first “real” job as a postdoctoral fellow until at the age of 32.
The relevant question is what do you want to do for your future career? Since you pointed out that you are in a “research-oriented” major, I would assume that your heart is in research, should it be pure or applied research.
If you are planning to go to graduate school, the next important question is in what area of physics you would like to be. Graduate schools differ in their strength in different areas of physics.
On the other hand, if you would like to start your career early, you may choose not going to graduate school. Then, it would be time to talk with your professors and career centers in your college on future job opportunities. The exercise in this career exploration may best inform you whether you should go to graduate school or not.
The relevant question is what do you want to do for your future career? Since you pointed out that you are in a “research-oriented” major, I would assume that your heart is in research, should it be pure or applied research.
If you are planning to go to graduate school, the next important question is in what area of physics you would like to be. Graduate schools differ in their strength in different areas of physics.
On the other hand, if you would like to start your career early, you may choose not going to graduate school. Then, it would be time to talk with your professors and career centers in your college on future job opportunities. The exercise in this career exploration may best inform you whether you should go to graduate school or not.
Thank you very much for your advice!
Tyler
Jonathan K
Product Manager
1
Answer
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
This is a good time to think carefully about your educational and career goals. Physics was my favorite thing to learn, but even as I was doing my PhD I realized my interests were too broad to focus on one area of physics for my whole career.
Some things to think about:
- Physics grad school generally means getting a PhD, since a Masters doesn't get you far in Physics
- Consider what areas of physics you are really interested in, what kinds of jobs are available in those fields, and how much it matters to you. More theoretical physics might only be suited for an academic career, which will limit your options somewhat. If you work on something like lasers and optics, there are more industry jobs. If you end up working at a National Lab, realize that you might not be doing what you did in grad school.
- Consider seriously other types of programs especially in electrical engineering or materials science. It's not too hard to go from Physics to these fields. You might find them interesting and they might lead to more job options, even with a Masters versus a PhD.
- Employers often are not looking for people with Physics degrees, but they can be convinced that you are smart and can learn new things quickly if given the chance.
Some things to think about:
- Physics grad school generally means getting a PhD, since a Masters doesn't get you far in Physics
- Consider what areas of physics you are really interested in, what kinds of jobs are available in those fields, and how much it matters to you. More theoretical physics might only be suited for an academic career, which will limit your options somewhat. If you work on something like lasers and optics, there are more industry jobs. If you end up working at a National Lab, realize that you might not be doing what you did in grad school.
- Consider seriously other types of programs especially in electrical engineering or materials science. It's not too hard to go from Physics to these fields. You might find them interesting and they might lead to more job options, even with a Masters versus a PhD.
- Employers often are not looking for people with Physics degrees, but they can be convinced that you are smart and can learn new things quickly if given the chance.
This is a good perspective. Thanks for the advice!
Tyler
Hursh Juneja
Information Technology
2
Answers
Ada, Oklahoma
Updated
Hursh’s Answer
Hello Tyler! First, I want to say that you should not overstress yourself over it. This is a common dilemma while doing or approaching the completion of undergrad. Here are a few things to consider, and I hope that these prove helpful in making that decision -
1. Thinking of your motivation and your needs. I find many finishing their undergrad wanting to get into a full time job, and then using that practical experience to decide the specialization/major for their Masters. From my perspective and experience, that is a great option. However, it is possible that the jobs/career one wants prefers or requires Masters or PhD from the get-go, like becoming a research scientist. Starting a family, or the need to support the family, can be crucial factors too in deciding the timing of pursuing next degree
2. Masters from your school. Several schools allow getting also a Masters degree with just one additional year on top of the undergrad, if pursued without a break. Do you have that option, and does it align with your needs and motivation?
3. Job at your or another school. Is there an opportunity to get a job within your school or at another school that allows you to make sufficient money for your needs for next couple of years and also pursue your next degree?
4. Taking advice/mentorship from others in your field. Find some advisors and mentors to help you - people who are in your field, and are doing or have done their grad school. Talk it out with them. Everyone's circumstances and motivations can be different. So, you don't have to follow exactly what they did, but should be able to use their advise and experience as inputs for your decision
The most important and first step is to determine your motivation/your passion on what you want to do, and then use above to explore options to balance it with your life needs if any exist at this time (making money, starting or supporting family). Here is another humble suggestion- Whatever you decide, do it happily, with full rigor and take pride in your decision.
Hope this helps.
1. Thinking of your motivation and your needs. I find many finishing their undergrad wanting to get into a full time job, and then using that practical experience to decide the specialization/major for their Masters. From my perspective and experience, that is a great option. However, it is possible that the jobs/career one wants prefers or requires Masters or PhD from the get-go, like becoming a research scientist. Starting a family, or the need to support the family, can be crucial factors too in deciding the timing of pursuing next degree
2. Masters from your school. Several schools allow getting also a Masters degree with just one additional year on top of the undergrad, if pursued without a break. Do you have that option, and does it align with your needs and motivation?
3. Job at your or another school. Is there an opportunity to get a job within your school or at another school that allows you to make sufficient money for your needs for next couple of years and also pursue your next degree?
4. Taking advice/mentorship from others in your field. Find some advisors and mentors to help you - people who are in your field, and are doing or have done their grad school. Talk it out with them. Everyone's circumstances and motivations can be different. So, you don't have to follow exactly what they did, but should be able to use their advise and experience as inputs for your decision
The most important and first step is to determine your motivation/your passion on what you want to do, and then use above to explore options to balance it with your life needs if any exist at this time (making money, starting or supporting family). Here is another humble suggestion- Whatever you decide, do it happily, with full rigor and take pride in your decision.
Hope this helps.
Thank you very much for the advice and encouragement!
Tyler
Chris Urban
Technical Recruiting
22
Answers
Purcellville, Virginia
Updated
Chris’s Answer
I really liked the previous answers and those people have the experience. My experience is more in recruiting. I have recruiting mostly computer professionals for 24+ yrs and often a graduate degree is not needed. As one of the folks before said, you need to decide why you want a higher degree. It doesn't automatically mean more pay. It could, but not guaranteed. You could get a job and then if you thought it was important or necessary, you could have your employer pay or contribute towards your completion.
As a practicing Christian, I would suggest praying. God offers wisdom to those who ask and Isaiah 48:17 says that God will show you what is best for you and guide you in the way you should go. I think you should think about the pros and cons to both and realize that is is a process and decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
Also, you could use LinkedIn and connect with folks in your major and those that did and those that did not get a graduate or higher degree and ask them the pros and cons.
As a practicing Christian, I would suggest praying. God offers wisdom to those who ask and Isaiah 48:17 says that God will show you what is best for you and guide you in the way you should go. I think you should think about the pros and cons to both and realize that is is a process and decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
Also, you could use LinkedIn and connect with folks in your major and those that did and those that did not get a graduate or higher degree and ask them the pros and cons.
While I appreciate the advice, I do not think prayer is a means of making life-altering decisions. I would respectfully request that you refrain from attempting to convert folks in vulnerable points in their life.
Tyler
I could not disagree more with you; however, I will certainly refrain with you moving forward. You must realize that your career will take over 50% of your life and focus and drive and motivation, so it is important that you think about your direction and everything that makes up your decision. There are physical, spiritual, emotional and relation aspects to consider and I must admit that the Spiritual for me is the most important.
Chris Urban
However, to respect your wishes, I will move on and only be practical for your sake......Life-altering....indeed, so invest your time now into make sure that you make the correct decision about your future now. You can look for intern oppts and go to job fairs. I would also suggest looking on linkedIN and checking out profiles of people who have similar interests as you and connect with them and see what they think about your direction, having made many of these decisions in their past.
Again, talk to people who have done it. Talk to your professors and ask them for their suggestions. As them if you should go to graduate school. Ask them for help getting you a co-ope or an internship-paid or otherwise.
Chris Urban
Look online for job descriptions and find those that you are excited about and see what the degree requirements are. Also, go to your counseling center and your career center and ask them for the jobs available to you with an undergraduate degree only as opposed to those with a graduate degree and see what you think.
I would not think that you have to get a graduate degree to be employable.
Chris Urban
Well said, Chris and Tyler! Glad to see both of these perspectives being shared civilly. The only right or wrong way to make life-altering decisions is by considering what is important to oneself in their own life.
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
Sridhar Lahankar, PhD
Clinical Research Associate
1
Answer
Vancouver, Washington
Updated
Sridhar’s Answer
One thing you need to decide is your motivation for grad school. Is getting a PhD more important to you than starting a family or have a social life in next 5-8 years. Less than 10 percent of people who start in grad school actually graduate.
While blunt, I do think this information is relevant. Thank you for the answer.
Tyler