Friday, February 23, 2007
the road less traveled
What is the "trouble with physics"?
A. Too many theories to choose from
B. Not enough real physics jobs
C. Having to compete with stamp collectors (people in other fields)
D. All of the above
The correct answer is (D), and not surprisingly so. As graduation gets closer and closer for many of the physics majors I know, I'm starting to sense an atmosphere of overwhelming despair. Many of them are wondering what they're going to do after graduation; the question, "What do you do with a physics degree?" is getting thrown around a lot. The obvious answer is "go to grad school", but since only about 15 percent of RPI graduates (all majors included) go to grad school, I don't think we're really prepared for it.
These people think- erroneously- that physics should be very similar to engineering. Since there are a lot more engineers than physicists (about 100 times more in America), and since engineers tend to be very specialized even if they just hold a bachelor's degree, people know a lot more about engineers than they do about physicists. Which is ironic, because high schoolers (i.e., those who are trying to figure out their future careers) don't take engineering courses before they go to college. There are very few books for the general public that really delve into the details of what engineers do. So why are there so many times as many engineering majors as there are physics majors?
I don't think the answer is because of job opportunities. The opportunities for engineers certainly aren't perfect, especially because so many jobs are being outsourced. The Capital District of Upstate New York is a perfect example of an area where there had been almost limitless engineering jobs a few decades ago, but over time, everything changed for the worse, contributing to the overall decay of the area.
So what's the answer? Why is physics less popular? The physics majors who lament over the lack of job opportunities obviously haven't heard the laments of liberal arts majors, whose condition is far more pitiful. Physicists may have to go to grad school, but at least we're basically guaranteed to get a skilled job :) (although not necessarily physics-related). ¶ 6:29 PM
A. Too many theories to choose from
B. Not enough real physics jobs
C. Having to compete with stamp collectors (people in other fields)
D. All of the above
The correct answer is (D), and not surprisingly so. As graduation gets closer and closer for many of the physics majors I know, I'm starting to sense an atmosphere of overwhelming despair. Many of them are wondering what they're going to do after graduation; the question, "What do you do with a physics degree?" is getting thrown around a lot. The obvious answer is "go to grad school", but since only about 15 percent of RPI graduates (all majors included) go to grad school, I don't think we're really prepared for it.
These people think- erroneously- that physics should be very similar to engineering. Since there are a lot more engineers than physicists (about 100 times more in America), and since engineers tend to be very specialized even if they just hold a bachelor's degree, people know a lot more about engineers than they do about physicists. Which is ironic, because high schoolers (i.e., those who are trying to figure out their future careers) don't take engineering courses before they go to college. There are very few books for the general public that really delve into the details of what engineers do. So why are there so many times as many engineering majors as there are physics majors?
I don't think the answer is because of job opportunities. The opportunities for engineers certainly aren't perfect, especially because so many jobs are being outsourced. The Capital District of Upstate New York is a perfect example of an area where there had been almost limitless engineering jobs a few decades ago, but over time, everything changed for the worse, contributing to the overall decay of the area.
So what's the answer? Why is physics less popular? The physics majors who lament over the lack of job opportunities obviously haven't heard the laments of liberal arts majors, whose condition is far more pitiful. Physicists may have to go to grad school, but at least we're basically guaranteed to get a skilled job :) (although not necessarily physics-related). ¶ 6:29 PM
