3 answers
Mahmoud
Student
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
1
Question
Updated
287 views
What should be my path?
Hello, I am wondering what should I choose ; Nuclear engineerer or Neurologist
I am really interested into the human brain and I have been taking some courses about it
I am as much interested in physics and modern science and the future of science and energy, I see nuclear energy as the gate into becoming a huge scientest
I am in highschool currently and I have to pick one path from now! Please help me?
I am thinking about also studying 1 in college and the other personally so I will fulfil my curiosity.
Please help me! I have also found out that I have high degrees in physics, math, biology and mechanics! I find both careers easy for me, and I would still study them even if they were hard
WHAT DO I DO??
Login to comment
3 answers
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
224
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
The first thing to say is that although you might be making choices for your further education now, you don't have to have fully settled on your career decision; between different science fields like these there's still plenty of chances to switch between them as your studies progress. Whichever you choose, if you keep an interest in the other, and you take some of your optional classes in that field if you can, that will keep the door open to switch if you change your mind later.
My experience was in some ways similar, as I'm now a nuclear physicist, but I also have an interest in the brain, although more on the side of understanding psychology than wanting to do surgery. My experience is slightly different as for me, I was much more drawn to physics than psychology, so didn't have quite the same dilemma, but I did study psychology classes alongside my physics classes for a while, just for personal interest.
Where I did have a similar dilemma though was slightly later. Initially I'd been drawn more to astrophysics than nuclear, but as I got to the later stages of my degree studies I was finding some of the astrophysics a little too abstract to understand well, and I had to make the decision to switch discipline to nuclear for my postgraduate studies. I've now found my career and am happy with nuclear, so that worked out for me.
One thing to be aware of with nuclear is that a lot of people will follow nuclear engineering courses, but going to nuclear from a physics background is also a good option, especially if you're more interested in the "why" than the "how" (although a lot of content is very similar between nuclear engineering and nuclear physics courses)
My experience was in some ways similar, as I'm now a nuclear physicist, but I also have an interest in the brain, although more on the side of understanding psychology than wanting to do surgery. My experience is slightly different as for me, I was much more drawn to physics than psychology, so didn't have quite the same dilemma, but I did study psychology classes alongside my physics classes for a while, just for personal interest.
Where I did have a similar dilemma though was slightly later. Initially I'd been drawn more to astrophysics than nuclear, but as I got to the later stages of my degree studies I was finding some of the astrophysics a little too abstract to understand well, and I had to make the decision to switch discipline to nuclear for my postgraduate studies. I've now found my career and am happy with nuclear, so that worked out for me.
One thing to be aware of with nuclear is that a lot of people will follow nuclear engineering courses, but going to nuclear from a physics background is also a good option, especially if you're more interested in the "why" than the "how" (although a lot of content is very similar between nuclear engineering and nuclear physics courses)
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mahmoud !
It is very good to know that you have achieved such good grades in your school subjects and I congratulate you for that ! So you are thinking about Neurology and Nuclear Engineering and want to know which way to take this once you are in college.
There would be three preliminary things you'll need to establish before figuring out if you should major in Neurology or Engineering. Firstly, explore colleges for these programs, whether the universities are Egyptian based or foreign colleges based in your country. Secondly, think about if you want to be an engineer, a doctor, surgeon or go into doing research. Thirdly, you should explore the colleges of your choice to see if their structure offers both a Major (your primary study which you obtain a degree in) and a Minor (your simultaneous secondary study consisting of less courses than your major) course of study. Once you have these established, it will be much easier for you to decide between Neurology or Engineering.
If your college does offer Majors and Minors, choose the Major subject according to the actual work you want to do and the minor for your second interest. If your college does not offer the chance to pick a Minor, study the other subject independently, either online or your own research. You will have to decide which field of work is best for you after taking the steps to be well informed.
If you go for your degree in Engineering, you can very well take the academics to the PhD level as you would for Neurology. In your country, a Bachelors Degree in Engineering is the usual degree to have to be a Nuclear Engineer. On the other hand, to be a Neurology Specialist as a surgeon or medical doctor, you would need your Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery, a five to seven year Residency Program, a Masters Degree and Board Certification. So you can weigh between the two how long you'd be in college for either career and that could help you make a choice between them.
Another thing that can help you decide is to explore future prospects in Egypt to see what careers will be on the rise and in demand. I have left an article about this for you below, and even if it is not current, hopefully it will be of some use. You can also read employment websites from Egypt that show the jobs in Neurology and Nuclear Engineering and see what is happening today in those fields to get somewhat of an idea. You would then have to return to those websites when you graduate to obtain the most current information.
Most of all, you will have to choose a career and its' path of study based on doing what you love and have a strong drive towards. I do hope that this is helpful and that you take your time in deciding. A decision will come to you eventually, so there is no need to worry.
Best wishes to you in all you do !
EGYPT LABOR MARKET AND FUTURE PROSPECTS https://theforum.erf.org.eg/2019/11/05/egypts-labour-market-facts-prospects/
It is very good to know that you have achieved such good grades in your school subjects and I congratulate you for that ! So you are thinking about Neurology and Nuclear Engineering and want to know which way to take this once you are in college.
There would be three preliminary things you'll need to establish before figuring out if you should major in Neurology or Engineering. Firstly, explore colleges for these programs, whether the universities are Egyptian based or foreign colleges based in your country. Secondly, think about if you want to be an engineer, a doctor, surgeon or go into doing research. Thirdly, you should explore the colleges of your choice to see if their structure offers both a Major (your primary study which you obtain a degree in) and a Minor (your simultaneous secondary study consisting of less courses than your major) course of study. Once you have these established, it will be much easier for you to decide between Neurology or Engineering.
If your college does offer Majors and Minors, choose the Major subject according to the actual work you want to do and the minor for your second interest. If your college does not offer the chance to pick a Minor, study the other subject independently, either online or your own research. You will have to decide which field of work is best for you after taking the steps to be well informed.
If you go for your degree in Engineering, you can very well take the academics to the PhD level as you would for Neurology. In your country, a Bachelors Degree in Engineering is the usual degree to have to be a Nuclear Engineer. On the other hand, to be a Neurology Specialist as a surgeon or medical doctor, you would need your Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery, a five to seven year Residency Program, a Masters Degree and Board Certification. So you can weigh between the two how long you'd be in college for either career and that could help you make a choice between them.
Another thing that can help you decide is to explore future prospects in Egypt to see what careers will be on the rise and in demand. I have left an article about this for you below, and even if it is not current, hopefully it will be of some use. You can also read employment websites from Egypt that show the jobs in Neurology and Nuclear Engineering and see what is happening today in those fields to get somewhat of an idea. You would then have to return to those websites when you graduate to obtain the most current information.
Most of all, you will have to choose a career and its' path of study based on doing what you love and have a strong drive towards. I do hope that this is helpful and that you take your time in deciding. A decision will come to you eventually, so there is no need to worry.
Best wishes to you in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
bill Bill Latter
chiropractor
61
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
bill’s Answer
To become a neurologist, you need to earn a M.D. or D.O. degree. This requires eight years of college followed by a minimum of two years of internship. In contrast, to become a nuclear engineer, the requirements are different. You can start your career with just a bachelor's degree, entering as a junior scientist. You can then further your education as you advance in your career. Both careers require a strong foundation in various fields of science and math. However, math is particularly crucial for nuclear engineering. If you're willing to stay in school for eight years, obtaining a Ph.D. can significantly improve your job prospects as a nuclear engineer.