7 answers
Hunter
Student
Northport, New York
2
Questions
Asked
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Does anyone have any advice for me?
I'm currently going into my first year of college. I was planning on doing a major in Physics with a minor in film but the more I look into it and do research the more I find out that Physics isn't a secure job. I was originally going to do Computer Science before Physics and I was thinking of switching back to that because I also enjoy programming. My goal post-college was to hopefully get a job in the film industry. If that didn't work out I could have a master's degree in Computer Science and get a job working as a software engineer or something similar. I'm so lost right now and have no clue what I should do. Any advice is helpful. Thank you so much.
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7 answers
John Pierson
Program Manager
1
Answer
Portland, Oregon
Updated
John’s Answer
Hello Hunter.
From the other degrees you are considering, it sounds like you are particularly interested in the technical side of the film production process. I've held roles as a software developer, systems engineer, and technical director in both film visual effects and feature animation. The backgrounds the studios hired from were very diverse - engineering, physics (simulation), advanced math, and experts that taught themselves. The common thread was researching how their passion to tell compelling stories intersected with their technical interests - and then interacting with the film community - developing tool extensions, attempting to solve challenging problems, and attending industry conferences like ACM's Siggraph. Make a point of meeting others and consider taking advantage of the student track at Siggraph.
Most importantly - don't give up! My entry was meeting a software engineer at Siggraph while waiting in line for lunch - a conversation that led to a role in that studio several months later!
From the other degrees you are considering, it sounds like you are particularly interested in the technical side of the film production process. I've held roles as a software developer, systems engineer, and technical director in both film visual effects and feature animation. The backgrounds the studios hired from were very diverse - engineering, physics (simulation), advanced math, and experts that taught themselves. The common thread was researching how their passion to tell compelling stories intersected with their technical interests - and then interacting with the film community - developing tool extensions, attempting to solve challenging problems, and attending industry conferences like ACM's Siggraph. Make a point of meeting others and consider taking advantage of the student track at Siggraph.
Most importantly - don't give up! My entry was meeting a software engineer at Siggraph while waiting in line for lunch - a conversation that led to a role in that studio several months later!
Kamal Harb Ed.D, MPH
A life coach.
7
Answers
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Updated
Kamal’s Answer
Dear Hunter,
First and foremost, congratulations on your decision to go to college! This is a major step, and I'm sure you've worked hard to achieve this goal.
As I read your question, one issue stood out to me: the three majors you've mentioned are very different from one another, and I'm not sure how you came to choose them. In my experience, computer science is the most secure major, followed by physics, and then film.
However, you may be able to combine programming with film, but it's less likely that physics and film can be combined. People who major in both computer science and film can work in movie editing, the creation of animated features, multimedia presentations, and special effects.
Fortunately, you don't have to decide on a major right away. You have about two years' worth of general education courses that will give you the opportunity to take courses in physics, computer science, or film to find the major that you enjoy the most.
Additionally, most universities offer career services where you can meet with a counselor to discuss your career choices, future plans, and find a good job after college. Take advantage of this in your first year; it's all free!
I believe it's very important and prudent to choose a major that you enjoy and are passionate about so you can lead a happy and healthy life. If you're passionate about a subject, you will certainly succeed.
First and foremost, congratulations on your decision to go to college! This is a major step, and I'm sure you've worked hard to achieve this goal.
As I read your question, one issue stood out to me: the three majors you've mentioned are very different from one another, and I'm not sure how you came to choose them. In my experience, computer science is the most secure major, followed by physics, and then film.
However, you may be able to combine programming with film, but it's less likely that physics and film can be combined. People who major in both computer science and film can work in movie editing, the creation of animated features, multimedia presentations, and special effects.
Fortunately, you don't have to decide on a major right away. You have about two years' worth of general education courses that will give you the opportunity to take courses in physics, computer science, or film to find the major that you enjoy the most.
Additionally, most universities offer career services where you can meet with a counselor to discuss your career choices, future plans, and find a good job after college. Take advantage of this in your first year; it's all free!
I believe it's very important and prudent to choose a major that you enjoy and are passionate about so you can lead a happy and healthy life. If you're passionate about a subject, you will certainly succeed.
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
232
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hey Hunter,
It seems like you're in a position where you have the resources to get any college degree and you're looking to find the best bet for a career. The thing is that like the stock market, no one has a crystal ball to see the future and know what job will be in demand and which won't. Having said that, out of the three you listed, my guess is that computer science will be the safest, followed by physics; I have no insight into the film industry, so I'm not sure how to rank that field. I do have an awesome co-worker who was in film, but she transitioned to project management in search for better pay and job stability.
I wonder since both computer science and physics are in the same college of engineering in many schools, if you can hold off on making a determination for your degree until your junior year (or at least sophomore). Maybe you can go into the college of engineering as undeclared for your major, take both physics and computer programming courses and determine your fate after giving both course loads a shot.
I'm suggesting this because at UC Berkeley 20 years ago, I entered the school of engineering with an undeclared major. I took physics 7a, 7b, and 7c, as well as cs 3, 61a, 61b, and 61c. While I never considered physics as my degree, I did need it for my eventual "Electrical Engineering and Computer Science" degree.
Lastly, I hope someone else can give advice for the film industry, as if that's your major passion, you should pursue it. Maybe if you follow the above advice, you can take some film courses as your electives (and maybe join film-related groups on campus) and see how you like film when you get into the weeds?
Anyways, I wish you the best!
--
Dexter
It seems like you're in a position where you have the resources to get any college degree and you're looking to find the best bet for a career. The thing is that like the stock market, no one has a crystal ball to see the future and know what job will be in demand and which won't. Having said that, out of the three you listed, my guess is that computer science will be the safest, followed by physics; I have no insight into the film industry, so I'm not sure how to rank that field. I do have an awesome co-worker who was in film, but she transitioned to project management in search for better pay and job stability.
I wonder since both computer science and physics are in the same college of engineering in many schools, if you can hold off on making a determination for your degree until your junior year (or at least sophomore). Maybe you can go into the college of engineering as undeclared for your major, take both physics and computer programming courses and determine your fate after giving both course loads a shot.
I'm suggesting this because at UC Berkeley 20 years ago, I entered the school of engineering with an undeclared major. I took physics 7a, 7b, and 7c, as well as cs 3, 61a, 61b, and 61c. While I never considered physics as my degree, I did need it for my eventual "Electrical Engineering and Computer Science" degree.
Lastly, I hope someone else can give advice for the film industry, as if that's your major passion, you should pursue it. Maybe if you follow the above advice, you can take some film courses as your electives (and maybe join film-related groups on campus) and see how you like film when you get into the weeds?
Anyways, I wish you the best!
--
Dexter
Gabriela Borthwick
Tax
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gabriela’s Answer
Hi Hunter! Don't stress. It sounds like you care about where you will end up post-grad and the biggest weapon of success is care and drive. As long as you stay motivated to discover your interests, things will work out, in my opinion.
I would choose the major that's best to the college you are attending that best aligns with your interests. It is quite possible to make a career out of Physics; you could do engineering.
I would choose the major that's best to the college you are attending that best aligns with your interests. It is quite possible to make a career out of Physics; you could do engineering.
Derek Mitchell
Software Solutions Architect
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Derek’s Answer
Hi Hunter, I'd suggest thinking about your unique strengths, and focusing on those. By strengths, I mean things that you're uniquely good at, and that you also enjoy doing. By focusing on your unique strengths, and becoming one of the best in your chosen field, you will find opportunities and success. You'll also enjoy what you do, so a job becomes more like fun than work.
T.J. Worthy
Mentor
202
Answers
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Hunter!
Physics isn't necessarily filled with poor career opportunities. Like others said, it's a good choice after Computer Science and before Film Making.
Physics majors can enter a lot of different fields.
Some Physics majors enter a Masters in Engineering and can become an engineer.
Depending on the school and the program, you'll need to take either a minor in engineering, some extra courses before starting the Masters, or not have to take classes at all.
Another cool thing is some engineering programs need students to use computer skills, like MATLAB, Python, Excel, and more. So, you can become a programmer or software engineer through physics as well.
I recommend reading this article on What Can You Do With a Physics Degree: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-physics-degree
Also, read through some of the pages on Physics Forum: https://www.physicsforums.com/search/7867081/?q=engineering&t=post&c[thread]=917693&o=relevance
Overall, the main idea is that Bachelors in Physics by itself isn't enough, but having Physics + a Masters can open up more opportunities in other fields.
If you want to have a Bachelors degree where you're more guaranteed a job with solely a Bachelors Degree, you could enter Computer Science.
Film is rewarding, yet hard to get paid in. It's better to study film outside of college and get hands-on experience making films by yourself or with a film-making group. Film as a subject is Not bad. Rather, it's just hard to get a good return on investment for it through college :)
Give yourself some time to weigh your options.
Sending you support as you start college :)
Physics isn't necessarily filled with poor career opportunities. Like others said, it's a good choice after Computer Science and before Film Making.
Physics majors can enter a lot of different fields.
Some Physics majors enter a Masters in Engineering and can become an engineer.
Depending on the school and the program, you'll need to take either a minor in engineering, some extra courses before starting the Masters, or not have to take classes at all.
Another cool thing is some engineering programs need students to use computer skills, like MATLAB, Python, Excel, and more. So, you can become a programmer or software engineer through physics as well.
I recommend reading this article on What Can You Do With a Physics Degree: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-physics-degree
Also, read through some of the pages on Physics Forum: https://www.physicsforums.com/search/7867081/?q=engineering&t=post&c[thread]=917693&o=relevance
Overall, the main idea is that Bachelors in Physics by itself isn't enough, but having Physics + a Masters can open up more opportunities in other fields.
If you want to have a Bachelors degree where you're more guaranteed a job with solely a Bachelors Degree, you could enter Computer Science.
Film is rewarding, yet hard to get paid in. It's better to study film outside of college and get hands-on experience making films by yourself or with a film-making group. Film as a subject is Not bad. Rather, it's just hard to get a good return on investment for it through college :)
Give yourself some time to weigh your options.
Sending you support as you start college :)
TJ Xia
OSA Fellow, Verizon Master Inventor, Author of Books
26
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
TJ’s Answer
I have a PhD in Physics and doing a telecom job now. Getting into Physics major is a sophisticated decision. On the positive side, you will learn how to think things from the first principle, so in future you usually look “smarter” than your peers; on the negative side, its job market is not great. The best way seems taking Physics in undergraduate then choosing a job-friendly major in a graduate school. In addition to that, my suggestion is also to sharpen your creative-thinking skills, which will be a key element to distinguish you from ordinary in future.