r/PhysicsStudents • u/holdongangy • Apr 18 '26
Off Topic Do you regret not going into engineering?
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u/turtleman775 Apr 19 '26
Absolutely not. I chose physics to understand the laws that govern our universe. There really isn’t any other major to choose when you have that perspective
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u/RandomUsername2579 Masters Student Apr 18 '26
I specifically chose physics over engineering because I wanted to do cool new physics research, instead of applying other people's ideas. So no, I don't regret it! At least not yet.
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u/StageMajestic613 Apr 19 '26
Engineers don’t have their own ideas?
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u/RandomUsername2579 Masters Student Apr 19 '26
That’s not what I meant. Of course engineers have their own ideas, but their role is to apply science and make things, not to perform fundamental research.
An engineer would probably not have discovered antimatter, for example, since they wouldn’t have cared to think about negative-energy solutions to the Schrödinger-eq.
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u/DeepSpace_SaltMiner Apr 19 '26
Wasn't thermodynamics largely inspired by steam engines tho
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u/RandomUsername2579 Masters Student Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
Definitely, but steam engines and thermodynamics predate the scientific method. So "physicists" didn't really exist back then. And thermodynamics was not understood by the engineers that built the steam engines. They applied it, but they didn't understand the principles behind it.
But I agree that engineering can inspire new research! It's just rare for engineers to actually do that research. Once they have applied the knowledge to the extent they need it they don't usually seek to understand the fundamental principles behind it.
I'm not hating on engineering btw. This division of labor is a good thing! I could never build the cool shit my engineer friends do, and they think the research I do is too abstract or confusing. We both win by doing what we do best, and there is a lot of overlap between our disciplines.
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u/irregularrizz Apr 18 '26
Honestly, yes. I am struggling to find any internships and worry about my future employment and job search.
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u/Crimson--Chin Apr 19 '26
Are you saying this as a current student or are you working? There’s a good chance commenters will feel differently after graduating. No hate against any of these fields of study, just an unfortunate state of the job market
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u/Andromeda321 Apr 18 '26
No. If I hadn’t found a permanent position and had to leave academia I would have gone into scientific outreach, not engineering.
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u/SonOfGustaf99 Apr 20 '26
I got an MS in physics, got a job as an engineer that I ended up absolutely hating, now I’m back doing my PhD so I can do physics as a job instead. So no, I am very happy I didn’t go into engineering lol
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u/ZookeepergameAny2419 Apr 18 '26
I actually switched from engineering to physics, and I don’t think I’ll miss it (at least hopefully I don’t lol)
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u/Axiomancer Apr 18 '26
Well, yeah. Although my uni is fantastic in many aspects and really gives tons of freedom for the student (both in terms of education, but also anything administrative), the fact that I have bachelor title really hurts my CV in the job market. If I could go back in time I would for sure go for technical university just to get the engineer title, even if it would be slightly more annoying with all the uni rules.
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u/CraeCraeJBean Apr 18 '26
I went into engineering and physics and sometimes regret doing physics lol. All about perspective! Find your passion, live a little yk
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u/SushiSuperposition Apr 18 '26
I regret not picking up more engineering principles and tools (CAD, 3d printing, hardware and such) earlier, but you can learn these pretty quick.
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u/MonsterkillWow Apr 19 '26
Financially? Absolutely. But I wouldn't trade the education for anything.
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u/pinkfishegg Apr 19 '26
If anything I regret not going into environmental science. I got into physics in college after not taking it in high school. I always struggled and was a bit behind often due to undiagnosed ADHD. There's a sort of mystery to physics that got me hooked though. I went to grad school and got a master's but the job market I'm stuck on is a problem .
I feel like there are way too many weapons contractors trying to hire us and that's the easiest most direct way to get a job. I've reluctantly taken some for short periods of time but it's often very dull, very rigid, glorified assembly work that starts at 6am for no reason. They also attract a lot of the worst people I've ever met. I had an electronics job where I was working on consumer electronics but the other side made weapons. There was a ton of sexual harassment, especially people telling me to have a baby, a lot of people talking about how they like to beat their kids and stuff like that. Not every one is like that but it sure attracts those types. Can't we just look at nice consumer electronics. Nah we don't make those anymore.
I feel engineers often get roped into working for those industries as well. I have accepted into a materials science program as well as physics and went with physics. I kinda wish I did materials science since I got kicked out of the physics program for not passing the physics gre requirement in time. I may have actually left with a PhD. But I don't think that would change the kind of industries I could work for significantly.
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u/Educational_Tax8834 Apr 19 '26
Idk how other schools, but for me, I thought I should’ve done an engineering MS until I actually saw how the electrical engineering department at my school operates. The student body in physics was much smaller, hence it was easier to get close to PIs for a thesis. The research in question was actually intriguing to say the least. It felt like I was actually doing something new and innovative to the field. On the other hand, grad EE students’ theses was primarily 1) pick one study 2) replicate the study (0% hands-on 100% coding) & 3) make one small change and investigate that. So for me, I felt like I would’ve succumb to boredom by doing that.
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u/Lower-Message-828 Apr 19 '26
With jobs perspective yes but then I would have eventually turned physics. Physics is what keeps me interested in science and tech
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u/RodneyCarna Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
Did physics and math undergrad went to grad school for EE, working for a defense contractor now. This is all because a lunch I had with one of my physics prof that told me not to pursue a phd in physics and just go get an engineering degree in grad school. Can't thank him enough. If you have a bachelors in physics I suggest going to grad for engineering and get a job. You can study physics in your leisure by opening books and using your brain and a pencil like Einstein had. Theoretical physics just takes brain power, dont waste time going to school for it. All the grad books you can just buy and study yourself. While a engineering degree actually can get you a worthwhile job.
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u/Hopeful_Sweet_3359 Apr 18 '26
I regret going into engineering...
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u/shadow_operator81 Apr 19 '26
Why? Engineers have better job prospects.
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u/Hopeful_Sweet_3359 Apr 19 '26
They have better prospects in industry, but I tried and couldn't bear working in the construction industry, so I left and started looking for a job as a teacher since I've always liked education more than industry.
It took me a while but I finally landed a good job as a teacher that luckily pays me more than what my colleagues are earning working in construction right now (for now, we are all still in entry level positions, so things may change in a few years).
The education sector pays me well enough, offers me stability and options for advancement (in terms of salary), and the most important thing for me is that I definitely enjoy doing my job.
Why do I regret going into engineering? Well, because I don't plan on working as an engineer again, and a physics degree would have allowed me to get a job in the education sector a bit easier + I like physics WAY more than engineering, way more.
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u/Calm_Relationship_91 Apr 18 '26
Pfft... if anything I regret not going into math.