After suffering through unpleasant classes in my Junior Year and getting myself mentally ready for my Senior Year (theoretically my last year, unless something unexpected comes up), I’ve come across few ideas/plans:
(1) I’m about 15 classes away from getting a BS in Physics, should I extend my time in college for 3 or more semesters and get this done, or should I move on?
(2) Is it better to pursue Masters in Physics rather than BS?
(3) I will be getting certification from another institution in Programming and CAD, is this even worth the trouble?
(4) Any major that would complement Mech E, preferably in a STEM field? (I already have a Math minor)
In general, a second Bachelor’s degree is not worth the extra 3 semesters. The Masters in physics is OK but it won’t really be terribly valuable in finding a job as a Mechanical Engineer. As @boneh3ad says, we need more information.
I’m 30 years past my own MechE senior year, but I’d say 1)Move on 2) Why Physics? 3) probably worth it 4) you don’t need another major… but if you are willing to stretch your college time consider a co-op/internship
Ultimate career goal? If you would have asked me that question in High School, I’d say astronaut/cosmonaut (haha), but as of right now, I can’t really say. Also, I’m not worrying as much as getting a career but finding a job and paying off the student loans, hence if I were to take/get a second degree, the chances of finding a steady income would increase, maybe not exponentially but linearly, and then a year or three down the road I’d decide on a career.
I’ve got into engineering, mechenical engineering, because it was broad and I liked the idea of hitting several aspects of it, like Heat Transfer, Fluids (turns out, dont really like it, maybe because I had bad experience of it) Aero and so on. Decided on the certificates because they would complement my overall degree/major.
Why physics? Good question, I always felt that it was pure and wanted to learn more (From my experience and someone else’s, Electrical Engineering/Physics/Mathematics majors were clear cut, one did not have to worry how some machine under study would affect the other and worry what will happen down the road in the system, if it makes any sense).
You see, I have this split opinion about education. My institution is really making me feel annoyed and care-less, but when it comes down to education itself, I like it, I like to learn new material. I feel that if I stop going to school after getting a degree w/o getting something else, I’ll be disappointed in myself, and I’ll start regretting things.
Heck, If I were immortal I’d be taking a class or two everyday and then going to work right after.