<p>I am considering mathematics or physics for my undergraduate. </p>
<p>How does one decide? The jobs for physics majors surely cannot compare to that of engineers...</p>
<p>The physicists I know are interested in it. They don’t choose it just for the job market, although a degree in physics is rigorous preparation for other fields and one can go on to engineering as a graduate degree I believe.
Some physics majors also have a major in math, or close to one, because one has to take many advanced math classes as part of the physics major. With only a few left to get a major- and because it is a complementary subject, some just finish both.
To get into a graduate physics program, one also has to do reasearch.
If you start as a freshman taking the basic required classes for both physics and math, you can continue on and/or drop one along the way. When you are there, speak to professors, students, grad students in both departments, see what interests you, and where you fit in. Some schools have physics clubs and probably math as well- join them. Then, hopefully, you’ll be able to decide.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, minor in CS. Physics/math people with programming ability are useful to companies.</p>
<p>Personally, I feel that ANY math, stats or physics major should AT LEAST minor in computer science. It is a good Plan-B/Backup to have in your back pocket.</p>
<p>The jobs for most physicists are very similar to engineers - many work as engineers. The one big advantage is the a physicist’s background is more general - this can also be a disadvantage depending on the job. That being said, nothing in engineering is that difficult to learn if necessary.</p>
<p>I know physics majors who have gotten jobs in a variety of different fields. Some got jobs as programmers, one in chemical engineering, one in venture capital, and in areas of finance like asset management. I also know graduate students (completed their PhD) who went to work for companies like IBM and Intel. From what I hear, physicists are very employable because employers value people with strong and flexible analytical skills.</p>
<p>In the end, after a graduate degree (or two Master’s and/or PhD), physics becomes worth it. I don’t think an undergraduate degree in physics alone will get you too far in industry, but it does give you a solid, respectable foundation to go on and do some more studying in a variety of fields! Just my $0.02</p>
<p>Meant to say a graduate degree or two (Master’s and/or PhD)*</p>
<p>DS plans to go into physics and recently decided to prepare for a minor in CS (so funny to see that mentioned here already upthread).</p>
<p>Also, as PP mention, he plans to study physics because the area interests him immensely. Sitting and thinking about complex problems is enjoyable to him. He considered engineering until he did a job shadow on an engineer. I think it was way too practical for him. 
He will probably go to grad school in Theoretical Physics.</p>