Physics vs mech/electrical engineering?

College Majors Science Majors
1

Hey, how are you? I would like to know your advice on something which I cannot decide no matter how hard I think about it. Im 19 years old and Im in my first university year in Physics. I live in Argentina, where there is no division between college and school. You choose a career and you get the m.s after 6 years in the same place you started.

I still cant decide even if Im on my first year as they are almost the same classes between the two the first years. I want to choose something that might have an impact on the world. Help the world become better and more advanced.

I like Physics because I am the kind of person which questions everything, not only about Physics but about everything about life. Also, I would like to, in the future, being useful to humanities technological and scientifical development. And physics seems like a good choice as it basically covers every aspect of the Universe. But, I am also really concerned on the practical aspect of it. I want to help our world become a better place. Help Develop to become a better civilization. Physics might not be the best choice as it is soo abstract I don’t think its applications, modern physics, would help much. I was planning on doing a double major between physics and computer science. And then maybe do applied physics or mechanical engineering. (Really choosing a life path so early is hard!)

Engineering was always my second choice, but right now I am leaning towards it. As I find It will give me better tools and more freedom to accomplish my goals. Also it would be less theorethical with more applications. I was thinking Mechanical Engineering maybe. Lets say, for example, I want to work in Nasa. What would an engineering degree allow me to do? And what would a Physics degree differentiate in?

Thanks guys!

2

The fundamental difference is that Physics gives you a good understanding of mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, and applied mathematics. In addition, depending on the curriculum, you will have some electronics and computing. With mechanical engineering, you will focus much more on the mechanical side with a lot more specialized courses.

As a physicist, you are not necessarily going to be only a theorist. Lots of physicists work in industry in engineering jobs and do it very well. However, if you have an engineering degree and the position is specifically for an engineer, then a physicist will have a harder time convincing the employer that he/she is qualified. After the first job, then it does not really matter what your degree is in but what experience you have.