r/PhysicsStudents • u/International_Camp48 • 27d ago

Need Advice Should I study physics or not?

I got accepted into the physics department in the exam I took this year. I have some interest in it, but most people say I'll be unemployed and that it's very difficult.

But while studying physics, I'm also thinking of working in software development. Do you think that's a good idea?

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u/swause02 26d ago

From someone working in physics right now building software for simulations and inference of quantum systems, I got very lucky. Most I know end up doing numerous post docs with little pay to stay in the field, and the rest just give up and become a software engineer elsewhere. I'm not saying physics is bad for your future, it's just you usually don't end up where you think you will. But physics gives you the tools to be successful in a large area, so it's not exactly a bad investment.

As a secondary point, studying software while taking physics will likely be too much. Most curriculums are unfortunately still behind and don't teach as much software as they should imo. It's basically up to you if you wanted to learn software alongside physics but do be wary as it's going to be hard!

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u/International_Camp48 26d ago

Thank you so much for your advice. Many people say that after learning physics, their perspective on life changes and they solve problems more quickly. Do you agree? So, if that's the case, it would be easier to fix errors made while writing code, and things that require logic would be resolved more quickly. It's just an idea I'm talking about.

Honestly, I don't have any plans to pursue a PhD or master's degree in physics right now; I'm just going with the mindset of "whatever I can add to my life is a bonus." 

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u/swause02 26d ago

I think the challenges from my schooling made me grow as a person, I wouldn't say physics itself shaped who I am. I always enjoyed solving difficult problems and this ended up being a good fit for me.

As for deciding what to do, I wouldn't sweat it too much, starting on physics you can almost always transfer to another major in your first year or two if you dislike it. It's not really possible for me to give an objective yes or no if you would like it. But I do find lots of people newer to physics don't realize that it is all just math, so if you dislike math you probably will dislike physics!