<p>I have nothing planned beyond undergrad study in physics... any comments on the following combos?</p>
<p>Physics + Aero / Astro
Physics + Applied Math / Operations Research
Physics + Chemical Engineering
Physics + Computer Science
Physics + Economics</p>
<p>Second part of my question, what can I do with my physics degree?</p>
<p>I think most lucrative would be to become a physics professor, but that would require a PhD, and a lot of hard work.</p>
<p>I am doing Physics + CS. But Physics + OR and Physics + Econ are also two great choices, I wouldn't worry about the other two, far too much work to double major in an engineering and physics at most schools.</p>
<p>You can do a lot, the most obvious being grad school -> private lab researcher, grad school -> gv't researcher, grad -> postdoc -> professor. Basically anything involving real physics requires a PhD. But you could be a lab tech with just a BS and a <em>few</em> reseachers only have a masters or BS. Also, a lot of physics majors get jobs in engineering especially if they do applied physics. Another big option is doing quant work and other financial stuff, which is why I said phys + econ would be wise, or phys + OR for similar reasons.</p>
<p>There isn't a whole lot you can do with a Physics BS, but if you get a PhD, even if you don't end up as a professor, something like 96% of Physics PhDs work in a field related to physics, so you would still have a physics-related job if you want one.</p>
<p>Well, if I had to pick, I'd choose Physics + Economics. My rationale is that if you decide senior year that you don't want to continue onto grad school for physics, you can fall back on your Economics degree to help you get a really good and well-paying job. Also, of the possible combos you listed, in my opinion, Economics looked like it would be the least burdensome on you in terms of workload.</p>
<p>Physics + astro is my specialty. I am a huge space geek, and astrophysics is my passion.</p>
<p>A physics degree opens the doors to a huge number of career paths. It all depends on your interests and where life leads you.</p>
<p>How do you get into the engineering field from a bachelor's in physics?</p>
<p>ElectricTech: Fairly easily. Either apply for engineering jobs or apply for grad school in engineering. A physics degrees gives you most of the basic background needed for engineering, and whatever is lacking can be taught in job training. I know of lots of people who have undergrad degrees in physics who have gone on to engineering careers.</p>
<p>Check out some of these interviews: Astromiror:</a> Professional Physicists - Engineering</p>
<p>Thanks for the link; the interviews gave me some great insight.</p>