<p>I''ll be graduating soon with degrees in physics and mathematics, and now I am more interested in doing engineering. However, it's obvious to even be taken seriously for an engineering job that I'll need an engineering degree. Fortunately, I also happen to qualify for many masters programs in EE, but they are research based masters. On the other hand, I've also consulted with the engineering department of my school about potentially enrolling in the bachelors program, and unfortunately none of the courses I took previously will transfer, even the first and second year math/physics courses as they're apparently "too theoretical". </p>
<p>Which would be the preferable option that will significantly maximize the chances of a job upon graduation? I'm slightly leaning towards the master's as there's no requirement for the P.eng that all candidates must have a bachelors degree in engineering where I am located, and the fact that it won't come with any debt is a major factor as well. But from what I've read, it seems I'll just be back to where I started as a math/physics graduate in terms of career prospects. </p>
<p>Getting a second bachelor’s degree would be silly. For one, you wouldn’t qualify for any aid so you’d be on the hook for the whole cost. For two, you already have technical degrees. It just so happens that engineering is based on physics and mathematics. Odds are you can find an engineering job even with those degrees somewhere, and if not (since there is some luck involved based on what positions are open at the time), you can go to graduate school for engineering with those degrees just fine, spend less time than getting a second bachelor’s degree, and still be eligible for financial aid while also expanding career options.</p>
<p>Boneh3ad: Interesting, because I’ve read on here and other forums of engineers and engineering managers who have stated that they and most other hiring managers would rather essentially hire an arts graduate than a physics/mathematics/chemistry graduate for an associated industry position. Some have even stated that they would still refuse to hire physical science students with engineering master’s degrees, as it apparently shows an academically unstable person with apparently no genuine interest in engineering. </p>
<p>I kind of feel a lot of employers in industry have this kind of mindset. Would you say that is is not necessarily the case?</p>
<p>My son is a freshman in engineering at A&M. The other day he was telling me how the physics and math guys just cant develop anything useful / practical, and gave me this example: </p>
<p>Of course you can compete for engineering jobs with a physics degree. You need to sell the employer on your ability to adapt to the job. I know that enlightened employers have no problem with physics majors. They know that you can learn on the job.</p>
<p>In any case, a Masters degree, professional or not, is a much better bet than another B.S.</p>
<p>That some kind of joke, I hope. Physicists aren’t as practical as engineers (in general), but that is just a silly thing to say, and using Elon Musk as an example is even sillier. That is, unless you consider space vehicles, electric cars, online payment methods to all be useless and impractical.</p>
<p>I think going for a masters is the better decision most of the time…unless someone wants to do civil or environmental engineering which I think really require professional engineering credentials. Then it might be wiser to do the bachelors depending on state requirements. </p>
<p>This is what Physics departments are telling students to boost enrollment. It is not the case for most employers. Technically you don’t need an engineering degree to have an engineering job if you can sell yourself to an employer. See what i did there. </p>
<p>It is pretty foolish to major in physics especially with the cost of tuition nowadays and think you will undercut engineers who majored in engineering for jobs. </p>
<p>I have never heard of this supposed prejudice against science majors, and work closely with several physicists currently - at least one has NO engineering degree, but still has the title “engineer”. Conversely, I don’t think I have ever seen an arts or humanities grad in a technical position.</p>
<p>
Licensing varies between states, but I think most do have routes for those with masters degrees to get licensed even lacking an ABET undergrad.</p>
<p>I can say with assurance after reading a memorandum from our compliance department that Eaton,Square D,GE,Siemens requires engineers who are working in Medium Voltage equipment to have an “engineering degree”. We rarely touch anything that is “live” but this is policy and this is not dictated by the aforementioned companies but by the utility companies we support. </p>
<p>And of course, what goes for a subset of engineering positions in that one field must, of course, apply equally to all engineering positions in all fields.</p>
<p>Quick question: I’m still undecided on what to pursue for graduate studies between EE and ME, as I am fascinated by a particular subset of both fields to do research in. </p>
<p>However, I wanted to know which would not hold my lack of engineering bachelors degree against me when it comes to applying to jobs, the need for a professional license, etc etc. ?</p>
<p>No, just providing anecdotes respective to my field . You yourself brought up the financial aid aspect. Is it not silly to major in physics or mathematics pay for that degree and try to undercut an engineer for a job. The odds are against you IMO. Just get them dang Engineering degree if you want to be an engineer. </p>
<p>That depends entirely on the job. Physics majors do get hired into engineering positions whether you find that incredible or not, so clearly some managers find them interchangeable. Further, in many (if not most) instances, having a graduate degree in engineering will completely supersede the physics undergraduate degree and put you on completely level footing. For some graduate tracks it is not even detrimental to not have that undergraduate physics degree, though if never call it an advantage.</p>
<p>That said, I’ve always been an advocate of the idea that if you know you want to do engineering, them get an engineering degree from the start. Not everyone knows that ahead of time, though.</p>
<p>The OP here, for example, is already to the point where he/she is getting a physics degree. It’s too late to change that. The fact is, then, that there are still options available and there is zero need to get an undergraduate engineering degree if a graduate degree is an option and something in which he/she is interested.</p>
<p>There are too many variables in the job market to make definitive statements like “You wont get an engineering job with a physics degree”. I’ve heard people say they got an engineering job with biology degree. Technical degrees from any spectrum can fulfill engineering roles. I however think that “academia” types are being dishonest and disingenuous in suggesting that employers regard a physics degree as a type of engineering degree. They don’t. Its hard to hear but it’s the truth. </p>
<p>So you cite too many variables for one statement and make a similarly overbroad statement immediately following it? There are way too many variables for that, too.</p>
<p>Again, though, this thread was not about whether a BS in physics gives the same chance at an engineering career as a BS in engineering. The question was whether a BS in physics plus an MS in engineering was better than a BS in each of engineering and physics, and the answer to that is unequivocally yes. Employers will, by and large, not care that your BS is in physics if you have that MS in engineering that proves you are engineer enough to earn an advanced degree in engineering and you have skills specialized in the area they seek.</p>