<p>Hi all, I'm currently a senior music composition major and physics minor. I've been thinking a lot about becoming a "super" senior by staying in college for two more years to get a bachelor's in physics.</p>
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<li><p>Would this be a smart career move? What's the job market like for physics majors? From what I've read, a physics major can work in multiple fields outside science, like finance.</p></li>
<li><p>As an international student with immigrant intent (god knows how I'll pull it off, if I do), would getting a physics degree improve my chances of staying here, i.e. better visa sponsorship opportunities?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I will greatly appreciate any responses, since I am a senior and agonizing over my future like any other senior in college (twofold because I would love to immigrate, but the process is hard from what I've heard).</p>
<p>Do not do an undergrad degree in Physics. If you want to do some work in physics and get a decent job, choose an engineering degree instead.</p>
<p>BTW a physics degree is insanely hard.</p>
<p>Also I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about math courses. Generally , physics or engineering majors would have to take Calculus 1-3 (basically Single and multivariable) , Differential Equations ( a first course in ODEs) , and Linear Algebra. Did you do all those math courses already?</p>
<p>Do you plan on going to grad school? A bachelors in physics isn’t going to get you a job actually working in physics. If you wanted to actually do real work in physics, a doctorate is basically a necessity. That said, physics majors do tend to be more employable than many other degrees, simply because people with a solid knowledge of physics tend to be good problem solvers, and have a very solid foundation in mathematics. </p>
<p>Engineering is a more lucrative field in many respects, and offers the added benefit of being able to go right to work after getting a bachelors.</p>
<p>Regarding your Visa situation, I would hazard a guess that going to grad school for physics would make it significantly easier to extend your student visa. Physics students rarely have to pay for grad school, instead working as a teaching assistant. That would potentially help out with two of your problems. But, take that with a grain of salt…I’m not very knowledgeable about stipulations around student visas.</p>
<p>Since you already have a physics minor, you have likely taken the basic mathematics courses required for the degree and you know how hard the degree is. Given that premise, yes, a physics degree will give you the opportunity to get a job. Even though it is not as straightforward as engineering, a physics major can compete for engineering jobs, jobs in finance, in radiation protection (health physics) and in consulting companies. If you look at the field of mechatronics, the skill set required is pretty much that of a physics major (without the specific engineering courses).</p>
<p>As others have noted, a job doing research in physics requires a graduate degree but you won’t be driving a cab with a B.S. in physics.</p>