Need help with a career choice

[sonz70]

So, I am in first year of EE at Western here in London Ont, so, everything is fine, I love the course, the challenges of it, but I also discovered that I love physics as well. (some op courses I took) So, my question is, since I enjoy both equally, which one offers a better career oppuruniti? I have my citenship for the EU and Canada, aswell, my Dad is American, so I can more than likely get a green card for the US. So working in North America, or Europe, which career do you guys think offer the better oppurtunities? (not money, but oppurtinities.)

 

[everman]

I'm not either one, but I would imagine there is some overlap between the two. A double major would probably be worth it.
I would also look at the things you're most interested in, instead of just looking at total amount of "opportunity".

 

[Trigger Aurelius]

I'm not either of those, but I am a ME. From my perspective, there's more opportunity for EE's than physics majors. A lot more technical companies can use EE's over physics majors imo.

As he said above though, you need to make sure you enjoy whatever you decide to do first. Money isn't everything when it comes to a career.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I was briefly a physics major... and am technically still an EE major.... although I'm not going to do either. (going to teach science)

It seems like for physics as a major, you're going to want to do some graduate work in addition to undergrad stuff if you want to get some good opportunities from it.

I think it's easier to get some good options going with something like EE from just undergrad and an internship.

At UW-Madison if you were really hardcore about this stuff, you could get a double major, but beyond 2nd year or so the overlaps really end for our programs.

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I was briefly a physics major... and am technically still an EE major.... although I'm not going to do either. (going to teach science)

It seems like for physics as a major, you're going to want to do some graduate work in addition to undergrad stuff if you want to get some good opportunities from it.

I think it's easier to get some good options going with something like EE from just undergrad and an internship.

At UW-Madison if you were really hardcore about this stuff, you could get a double major, but beyond 2nd year or so the overlaps really end for our programs.

I was planning to do grad work, and maybe (hopefully) doctorate aswell. I think I'll look into carreer choices again, it seems physics has alot more R&D options though.

 

[coomar]

i'm at windsor, it depends on your university, ut already has a fair bit of overlap between EE and physics, it depends on how much math you have to do (like courses on special functions and complex variables) and electrodynamics

you can master in EE directly out of physics, usually from EE you would need job experience

physics is harder than EE as well, essentially EE is a 2-2.5 year program with electives at the end, you could major in physics and take the core EE 2nd year course (circuits and digital logic)

starting pay is about the same, EE has a slightly higher minimum

end of the day, your going to have to get an MBA afterwords to get the money

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: coomar
i'm at windsor, it depends on your university, ut already has a fair bit of overlap between EE and physics, it depends on how much math you have to do (like courses on special functions and complex variables) and electrodynamics

you can master in EE directly out of physics, usually from EE you would need job experience

physics is harder than EE as well, essentially EE is a 2-2.5 year program with electives at the end, you could major in physics and take the core EE 2nd year course (circuits and digital logic)

starting pay is about the same, EE has a slightly higher minimum

end of the day, your going to have to get an MBA afterwords to get the money

i disagree with most of this.

i am doing a double major in physics and EE, currently in my first semester of junior year. physics is not harder than EE. it isnt easier, either, but its certainly not harder. if the school you are attending has a crappy EE department, then maybe i can see that.

you will find a job with either one. since you are in your freshman year, you have no idea what you do and dont like yet regardless of what you think. you cant base it off of the beginning classes. a lot will change when you get into my advanced courses in a few years. just relax and take classes that will count for both until you figure out which one makes you happiest.

 

[jpmills]

As a physics major with just a B.S. trying to find work is difficult. I would recommend a double major in physics and computer science, since many jobs require advanced programming. If you look on major corporations websites, such as Boeing, a physics degree, especially Masters or higher, can get you any number of jobs. I would also recommend doing some research if you can. I didn't plan on going into industry but that's a story for another time....

 

[ruffilb]

I'm facing this choice too, probably. CS seems like a good idea.

Good luck, I'll be watching this thread with great interest.

 

[coomar]

even with a good EE program (and our EE program is junk but i have friends at most of the ontario universities taking EE), physics is harder due to a more theoratical approach to electromagnetics

jpmills is right though, you'll either need a double major or grad work to get a good job

and most double majors in physics and EE don't take the same 4th years as the pure physics majors (ie solid state matter, a 2nd course on quantum mech)

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: coomar
even with a good EE program (and our EE program is junk but i have friends at most of the ontario universities taking EE), physics is harder due to a more theoratical approach to electromagnetics

jpmills is right though, you'll either need a double major or grad work to get a good job

and most double majors in physics and EE don't take the same 4th years as the pure physics majors (ie solid state matter, a 2nd course on quantum mech)

you do at my school. actually, we take solid state matter 2nd semester of your junior year...our class is called structure of matter, but its the same thing.

 

[jpmills]

I would also recommend that you stretch out the time of completion of the degree. Burn-out can be a serious problem [in a single degree alone not just a double major] and once you finish the degree you go right to work working long hours.

 

[alienal99]

i had to make a similar choice a few years ago.....i ended up becoming a physics major with a minor in computer science......I am now in grad school for ME, but it was a good way to go. Engineering is a lot more about problem solving, not just being able to do the math. make sure your computer science courses teach you matlab and labview.....labview is one of the most impressive engineering tools out there, but it is very unlike most programming.....

 

[sonz70]

Wow..thanks for all the advice guys

 

[imported_rod]

Physics(and other sciences) are more focused on R&D roles, whereas Engineering is focused towards implementing things. R&D may sound great, but the real money is in Engineering. Also, there are alot more jobs in engineering than R&D at the moment.

I'm currently doing a double degree in Engineering and Computer Science. One semester down, only another 4 1/2 years to go...

RoD

 

[f95toli]

Originally posted by: alienal99
labview is one of the most impressive engineering tools out there, but it is very unlike most programming.....

Labview is actually not that good. It is usefull for small programs but it is difficult to build "real" applications. I use measurement setups with many GPIB intruments and DAQs and keeping track of everything in the Labview IDE is a nightmare (if you attend NI Days you will notice that all the demos are done using e.g. a single DAQ or maybe 2-3 GPIB instruments, there is a reason for that).
Given a choice I prefer the Instrument Control toolbox for Matlab.
Anyway, Labview it is pretty easy to use and if you know some other programming it only takes a few days to learn. Matlab is far more important and much more usefull.

 

[SagaLore]

Could you get a degree in EE with a minor in Physics?

 

[dkozloski]

A very high percentage of college grads are working out of their field at completely unanticipated positions. I know an archeologist that is the director of maintenance for a regional airline and an ME that owns an electrical contracting business. What ever you decide to study, just do it well and then keep your eyes and ears open for opportunity. If you lock yourself into a narrow field you might find yourself wearing rags and pushing your belongings down the street in a supermarket cart.

 

[interchange]

Double major, major/minor, certificate in something out of major, anything that gets you more school with just a bachelors as highest education point is pure foolishness. If you wan't to go somewhere meaningful with your career you either have to get a graduate education or distinguish yourself through years of experience.

Having an undergraduate EE degree is best because it will give you more career opportunities with just the bachelors. If you want to go into physics, use it to get into a graduate physics program. That would be no problem at all.

For a significant portion of jobs in this field (those requiring true technical knowledge), companies will flat throw away resumes without graduate education listed. Even if your masters is from bo-dunk U, you're better off with it than without it.

 

[coomar]

yeah but in ontario our engineering certification is different that the states, after graduation you need a few years of job experience before you become a professional engineer (I forget if its 3 or 5), if you do co-op you can cut a big chunk of that down but still mastering in EE automatically qualifies you for p.e.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: coomar
yeah but in ontario our engineering certification is different that the states, after graduation you need a few years of job experience before you become a professional engineer (I forget if its 3 or 5), if you do co-op you can cut a big chunk of that down but still mastering in EE automatically qualifies you for p.e.

that isnt different than the states. ours is actually harder because you are required to work no matter what. getting a masters only counts for 1 year of the required work experience before eligibility for the p.e. exam.