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re: Need some help from physics and engineering grads.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 2:49 pm to JPinLondon
Posted on 8/8/19 at 2:49 pm to JPinLondon
quote:
I think we need more information about his/her future goals
Ok, so part of the reason that phd is out for now is because she doesn't really want to go into academia. She feels like that is the path with a phd.
Her concern about a masters in physics is that she's been getting feedback saying if you don't go full phd then there's not much difference from a BS to MS. Her concern with MS in Mechanical Engineering is without the BS she couldn't get a PE and that could be limiting.
Ultimately what she wants is a regular 9 to 5 that gets paid really well. Eventually ending up in upper management at some firm.
ETA: She also has a chem and math minor if that matters
...
This post was edited on 8/9/19 at 10:12 am
3
Posted on 8/8/19 at 2:54 pm to Guess
quote:
The issue is that someone may have trouble getting into a MechE grad program without taking any engineering classes in undergrad. A program would be reluctant to admit someone that didn't take fludis, thermo, mechanics of materials, machine design, etc. Sure, plenty of physics classes are closely related to these, but without taking the actual classes you would be vastly behind other students in the program.
+1 on this.
If you have a bachelors in physics, then you certainly have the mathematical acumen to do well in engineering, but in ME there are entire classes devoted to studying very focused aspects of physics in real world application.
If they let you in, then you'd have a pretty sharp learning curve to get up to speed. With that said, the MS in ME would be my recommendation if you can swing it.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 2:55 pm to hubertcumberdale
quote:
hubertcumberdale
shite, are you me?
Getting my masters next year because of my prior naïveté.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 2:56 pm to Guess
PhD often flags you as one of those unique people that have problems in the work world
We actually do not like PhD for our standard workforce
we targeted strong academic student with masters with good interpersonal and problem solving skills for our general workforce
Managers worked their way up from this group because they learned the technical and business aspects of the industry
Unless research or academic the comments she got are very solid
Masters in mechanical engineering !!!
Can always get the PhD in mech eng later and let the company she is working for pay for it
We actually do not like PhD for our standard workforce
we targeted strong academic student with masters with good interpersonal and problem solving skills for our general workforce
Managers worked their way up from this group because they learned the technical and business aspects of the industry
Unless research or academic the comments she got are very solid
Masters in mechanical engineering !!!
Can always get the PhD in mech eng later and let the company she is working for pay for it
Posted on 8/8/19 at 2:58 pm to Guess
quote:
This isn't for me but someone very close to me.
So you are friends with Volod ?
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:02 pm to Guess
quote:
Here concern with MS in Mechanical Engineering is without the BS she couldn't get a PE and that could be limiting.
The benefit, or lack thereof, from a PE really depends on the field you work in and the specific kind of work that you do. I've got mine, and I haven't stamped drawing 1, it's just a pretty line on my resume and email signature.
With that said, my career path is heading towards ownership, or at least partnership, in a consulting firm and at that time having the PE will be a difference maker.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:03 pm to Guess
quote:
Ok, so part of the reason that phd is out for now is because she doesn't really want to go into academia. She feels like that is the path with a phd.
Her conern about masters is physics is that she's been getting feedback say if you don't go full phd then there's not much difference from a BS to MS. Here concern with MS in Mechanical Engineering is without the BS she couldn't get a PE and that could be limiting.
I didn't go into a PhD program for the same reason. I really don't want to stick with academia and I wasn't willing to stay in school for 4-6 more years making poverty wages as a TA. I'd say she's making a good choice in that regard.
I also somewhat agree that getting an MS in just pure physics may also not be the best idea. I'd recommend that she look into applied physics and engineering physics MS programs, universities all across the country have these. She'd still be learning physics, but there would be a greater focus on hands on technical skills, experimental methods, programming, etc.
Edit: In Louisiana La Tech, ULL, and UNO all have MS programs in applied physics. The only MS program that LSU offers is in medical physics, which would also be a good career move. The only other way to get a physics MS from LSU is to become admitted to the PhD program and then to "master out" which isn't worth it at all.
This post was edited on 8/8/19 at 3:10 pm
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:09 pm to CptRusty
Unless govt contracts or some building not totally required to get the PE in oil industry
I did the EIT and never followed up for PE and was an eng and geophysicist
Things may be different know idk
But big corporation not doing business with govt did not need it
They started this equivalent for geologist and geophysicist and some people got them but they were mostly for bragging rights
I never recommended a promotion for an individual based on a professional certification
Once in it is based on your daily work achievements
But yes it will open some more doors and that is always better
I did the EIT and never followed up for PE and was an eng and geophysicist
Things may be different know idk
But big corporation not doing business with govt did not need it
They started this equivalent for geologist and geophysicist and some people got them but they were mostly for bragging rights
I never recommended a promotion for an individual based on a professional certification
Once in it is based on your daily work achievements
But yes it will open some more doors and that is always better
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:11 pm to HammerheadLincoln
quote:
The issue is that someone may have trouble getting into a MechE grad program without taking any engineering classes in undergrad. A program would be reluctant to admit someone that didn't take fludis, thermo, mechanics of materials, machine design, etc. Sure, plenty of physics classes are closely related to these, but without taking the actual classes you would be vastly behind other students in the program.
She is enrolling as a physics grad student, but she already spoke to the engineering department and they will transfer a few of her physics courses as equal to some engineering courses.
She would be taking half physics grad courses and half ME undergrad courses the first year. She would then have the prerequisites out the way with summer and two more semesters to finish.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:14 pm to Guess
That sounds like a good deal tbh.
Would she end up with two MS degrees or is the end goal to completely transfer to the engineering department?
Would she end up with two MS degrees or is the end goal to completely transfer to the engineering department?
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:14 pm to Guess
Got a physics degree, wanted to get a med physics masters but LSU wasn’t accredited. Got an MS in EE (device physics). Work as an ME mostly.
Materials. Tell her to do that.
Materials. Tell her to do that.
This post was edited on 8/8/19 at 3:16 pm
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:25 pm to Guess
Mechanical engineering, hands down. Not even worth bothering asking the question. Much ore appealing to real world employers.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:29 pm to ragincajun77
quote:
ragincajun
quote:
I honestly don't know shite about physics or engineering
Checks out
To OP, depends on what future goals are.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:35 pm to HammerheadLincoln
She would end up with the ME and not to far from a masters in physics. Depending on how many semesters I might just push her to get both.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:48 pm to Gray12
My undergrads are in geology and physics. Went to grad school for geophysics. Seemed to work out pretty well for me
If she’s set on the engineering route, she should probably go for a masters in ME. She’ll have to take several additional courses, but a masters in physics doesn’t do much for you unless you’re looking into a VERY specialized field.
Edited for “she”
If she’s set on the engineering route, she should probably go for a masters in ME. She’ll have to take several additional courses, but a masters in physics doesn’t do much for you unless you’re looking into a VERY specialized field.
Edited for “she”
This post was edited on 8/8/19 at 3:51 pm
Posted on 8/8/19 at 3:57 pm to The Baker
quote:quote:This is the worst advice that anyone’s ever given me about grad school.
stuff that you really don't need for a job outside of a lab/research.
The skills you’d gain from a masters in ME would be invaluable
I have a BS in ME and my experience tell me that the Masters would have been a waste of time for me. As with many engineering degrees, I ended up in a tangential field (control systems) that a masters probably would not have added to the skill set I developed actually doing the work.
But honestly, I really cannot develop an honest assessment because I did not even start a masters program. I was also in a position of need with two small children. Circumstances dictate your path as often as not.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 4:06 pm to Guess
Medical physics is a great way to go. Low stress high pay.
Posted on 8/8/19 at 4:22 pm to mdomingue
quote:
Circumstances dictate your path as often as not.
Albeit she might have not have been im the best school for the degree but with under a 50 physics students any year they get specialized attention from an entire department.
And she is ready for her own money. Not an OT baller and her allowance increases won't keep much longer
Posted on 8/8/19 at 4:47 pm to Hangit
quote:
One poster here got a BS in Physics from LA Tech, then a masters in EE from Southern. This left him unable to get a job, or even function as an adult for years.
Massive OT therapy finally got him up to speed enough to work for the government. I kind of miss his old posts, asking for directions to the most simple of daily tasks
Ha Ha. Yeah thats me.
Honestly, dont bother going into Physics unless you want a MS or PhD. And even then, make sure it is an applicable program or has a good rate of employability outside of academia.
Ive said many times that if i could do it over again, i would have majored in a technology program either at university or in vocational school.
For your question, i would go engineering for masters if you just have to go grad school. But to be honest, it would be cheaper and a better long term investment to get a BS in engineering. Even technology would give you more options.
Not saying you cant do well with a Physics degree, but it will not normally grant you the same job opportunities other more "career specific" degrees will.
Hangit is exaggerating for comedic effect. It took a long time (not an entire year) but i did land a job and after working for awhile i managed to get a dream job using both degrees.
Moral of the story: Not all institutions are created equal.
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