Should I go into Physics or Engineering?

Answer 1

Why not do both like I did :o)

Personally I found the physics more interesting and if you're keen on international travel then a career as a physics researcher can be very fun. But you do often have to seek new positions/funding every few years (and often have to move as a result of that) especially when you are establishing yourself as a scientist so if you like job security it can be a bit stressful, but it is possible to be very successful in this field. Science degrees are also highly desireable to employers in other fields such as defence forces, mining, private industry, it, finance, banking and management for instance.

Engineering on the other hand opens up many similar options (including careers in academic research if you're that way inclined) as well as the more traditional engineering roles. I found that the engineering was the easier of the two degrees, but it is more business management focused than a pure science degree.

Ultimately no matter what kind of career you want i'm sure there is probably both a field of physical science or engineering that can get you there, so you just have to decide what you personally want to get out of your studies - better technical understanding/expertise(physics) or a wider range of skills (engineering). Good Luck!

Answer 2

I was pursuing a double degree in physics and engineering until I got bored with the physics. I ended up finishing with a degree in ME and don't regret it. However, there is something very attractive about the purely theoretical side of physics. It can definitely stretch your mind. I don't think that either one was actually "easier" than the other though. Both were difficult in their own respects. One of the problems I found with physics is that much of the funding is centered around particle physics which doesn't interest me at all. One of the problems with engineering is that some of the work (not all) has already been done so you are essentially applying a known solution to different problems.

Answer 3

I'd have to say Physics. If you're planning on going on to graduate school, a Physics undergraduate degree will give you more options in the long run, allowing you to go into most any kind of engineering later, or even into medicine or law if you so choose. Best to keep your options open. Physics is pretty tough though, but because of that, it sets you apart.

(I'm currently a Physics major though, so I might be a little biased.)

Answer 4

That really depends on what you want to be doing or the rest of your life.

Engineers are the people who build everything possable.

Physicits are the people who keep moving the line between possable and impossable.

If you're the sort of person who gets personal satisfaction from a job well done, and like looking at what you've achieved (Feeling good every time you see a bird flying into the birdhouse you built for mother's day) then you're going to be happier as an engineer

If you get personal satisfaction from facing a problem and coming up with a solutio, even if it's someone else who actually uses what you come up with and puts it into practise, then you'd be happy as a physicist.

Then again, I could be wrong. I enjoy both.

Answer 5

Engineering. Physics students are like engineer wannabes. Plus, there is probably a lot more money out there for engineers, and engineering allows you to specialize very highly.

Answer 6

Engineering! But be sure about the one you like the most. Unless you wanna be like Leonardo Da Vinci and apply them all!

Civil Engineering has different ways to go like Structural or Hydraulics... depensing if you prefer statics or dynamic calculations.

Mechanical Engineering... pure Dynamics.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

The question here is do you want to make money? Physics is a great field but honestly, you wont be making much money in it since your employer would be basically be the academic field. Engineering is an industrial field and make a crap load of money. So the question here is do you love the field for the field... or do you want to make a great living?

Answer 8

Engineering is probably the better option if you're planning on getting a job after college. Good luck. Both fields are very challenging.

Answer 9

Go into engineering, physics is easier, but if you are an engineer, it's easier to find a job.

I also had to choose like you, I chose between Astrophysics or Engineering, and i chose engineering. I don't regret it.

Answer 10

Engineer is less school