Should I get a degree if I'm interested in a field but have no ambition to work in it?

[Schrodinger]

I'm 22 now and not quite sure what I want to do. I'm somewhat removed from the thought of just going straight to the work world (done with CS in August, currently pulling a 4.0 so its not like I can't cut it with the work). I've always felt like I took the easy way out until I found something I enjoy (physics) and think that I'd like to pursue it...to understand complex systems in depth (that would take graduate studies of course).

My parents are more than willing to pay for it (they paid for my sister's studies while I paid for my college) but they don't see the return on it... "you want to study this for four or more years, get a degree and NOT work in the field?"

It would be next to impossible to learn this sort of thing on my own without the resources that a first class university affords you (labs, smart profs and like-minded student population) so I won't even think about going for it during spare time. I don't just want a layman knowledge from reading some Feynman, Greene, Kaku and Hawking coffee table books. I already have that... I want to go much farther in-depth!

I just think that if I don't do this I will always regret it... tomorrow I'll be 80 and I don't want to say "gee whiz I wish I had learned more about that".

I guess its just money, right?

Thoughts and opinions?

 

[bradruth]

Seems like a huge waste of time. Why not just take a class or two every year while you're working full time?

 

[SuperPickle]

Studying is good. Learning is good. Understanding is good.
All of these things at the expense of living life, maybe not so good. You're young - go out and experience things. If you still crave the knowledge, go back after you gotten a little wisdom from living.

 

[shimsham]

I just think that if I don't do this I will always regret it... tomorrow I'll be 80 and I don't want to say "gee whiz I wish I had learned more about that".

then do it. you never know what tomorrow holds, and you wont always have the option.

 

[tarheelmm]

Isnt that what most college kids do now adays?

 

[rahvin]

It's cool to want to learn but I don't see why you think you parents should pay for it. You are 22, if you want to pursue the learning that much it should be on YOU to pay for it especially if you aren't going to use it to further a career (and realistly there aren't that many careers in theoretical physics).

 

[Schrodinger]

Seems like a huge waste of time. Why not just take a class or two every year while you're working full time?

I just don't think I could get that into it while cramming in a few hours here or there. And lets be honest...when you work full time you just want to come home and unwind, not hit books (no matter how much you like a subject).
I worked security full time while going to college and also took some extra calculus courses but it was pretty damn difficult trying to stay focused after work and school to keep up with the math. Whereas being a full time student I could just flat out focus on it all at once. No job and no other priorities but school.

 

[Wallydraigle]

If that's what you want to do, it would be silly not to. We have jobs so we can live and do the things we enjoy doing. If you enjoy studying, then why wouldn't you do that?

People learn how to fly with no intention of being a commercial pilot everyday, just because they want to. People learn how to do woodworking, cooking, skydiving, whitewater rafting, etc. without thinking of doing those things for a living.

 

[nageov3t]

if you just want to learn about physics, just take a class or two while working a full-time job.

why wouldn't you want to work in the field, though, if you like it so much?

 

[Wallydraigle]

Oh yeah, I agree with rahvin too. Why mooch off your folks? You're a big boy now.

 

[Schrodinger]

Originally posted by: rahvin
It's cool to want to learn but I don't see why you think you parents should pay for it. You are 22, if you want to pursue the learning that much it should be on YOU to pay for it especially if you aren't going to use it to further a career (and realistly there aren't that many careers in theoretical physics).

I don't "think" they should pay. They've put the offer out after giving up $60K for my sister (I paid my way through school). I would probably just do a no interest loan from them. I'd also use the 30K I've managed to save up while in school (but that would only go so far). Just think of the situation without questioning the finances surrounding it is all I was getting at (I won't be in debt).

 

[jlee]

If you want to do it, go for it...I don't think you'll ever regret learning.

 

[axelfox]

Beats working.

 

[zerocool1]

that's what a minor is for

 

[IGBT]

..I know sombody that has a phd in math and magages apartment complexes..figure that one out..doesn't make all that much money and is on call 24/7...

 

[Schrodinger]

Originally posted by: zerocool1
that's what a minor is for

You can't really go that far with a minor. The course I'm looking at is a specialist programme. There is no major/minor with it.. just all physics.

 

[everman]

I take it you want to study quantum field theory? It sounds like you have a great opportunity to study something you're very interested in, I'd definitly do it.
Education has the best return on investment of anything else if done properly.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Like others have said, don't waste your parents money on something your not going to use. Get a job and take night classes.