EE THINKING OF CAREER/WORK SHIFT, TO [more] PHYSICS?
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:58 pm
Hi. So I have a BASc in EE (Microelectronics Engineering - minors in Physics/Math), I have been working as a hardware design engineer (electronics), and I am considering further schooling so that I can do different and/or more technically challenging work. But I am 40 years old, so making a career change is something I am consider carefully.
If making money at a future job wasn't a factor in my decision then I would get a PhD in Physics or Applied Mathematics (attempt to anyway), but I think it is clear that EE and CompSci have more job opportunities. So its seems to me that I have a conflict between my desires and practicalities, but I am trying to blend the two (see below).
Anyway, here are the options that I have come up with, for myself, and I was hoping for some thoughts from the community here on them:
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STARTING FROM: I'm a hardware design engineer (electronics), BASc in EE (Microelectronics Engineering, with Math and Physics minors), 40 year old, considering doing one of the following for a “work” change (not necessarily a full career change):
OPTION 1) Second BASc degree, in CompSCi (rt / embedded programming focus; maybe some graphics or cryptography)
Time To Complete: 1.33 - 1.66 years
Cost To Complete: $12K (~1/3 of a BaSC Degree cost)
Note: A few discrete math courses would be taken.
Could do course based MEng later, while working (2.5 years to complete that).
OPTION 2) MSc in *Phyics/Applied Math, then PhD in EE (perhaps)
T2C: 2.33-3 year (w/ undergrad makeup) + 2 years of PhD in EE
C2C: $20-$25K; Chance TA and RA funding will cover cost, but not sure since doing split PhD degree (PhD is not just in Physics or just in EE)
Note: I read a PhD in EE can make you overqualified for non-academic jobs
OPTION 3) MASc masters in EE
T2C: 2-3 years
C2C: $10-$15K, unclear if TA/RA funding will cover this cost but I think it will.
Note: Being able to take some CS / Math / Phys courses would make this option better to me.
(could do PhD in EE in +2 years, but likely would not)
Looking forward to reading thoughts on this.
Thank you.
If making money at a future job wasn't a factor in my decision then I would get a PhD in Physics or Applied Mathematics (attempt to anyway), but I think it is clear that EE and CompSci have more job opportunities. So its seems to me that I have a conflict between my desires and practicalities, but I am trying to blend the two (see below).
Anyway, here are the options that I have come up with, for myself, and I was hoping for some thoughts from the community here on them:
---
STARTING FROM: I'm a hardware design engineer (electronics), BASc in EE (Microelectronics Engineering, with Math and Physics minors), 40 year old, considering doing one of the following for a “work” change (not necessarily a full career change):
OPTION 1) Second BASc degree, in CompSCi (rt / embedded programming focus; maybe some graphics or cryptography)
Time To Complete: 1.33 - 1.66 years
Cost To Complete: $12K (~1/3 of a BaSC Degree cost)
Note: A few discrete math courses would be taken.
Could do course based MEng later, while working (2.5 years to complete that).
OPTION 2) MSc in *Phyics/Applied Math, then PhD in EE (perhaps)
T2C: 2.33-3 year (w/ undergrad makeup) + 2 years of PhD in EE
C2C: $20-$25K; Chance TA and RA funding will cover cost, but not sure since doing split PhD degree (PhD is not just in Physics or just in EE)
Note: I read a PhD in EE can make you overqualified for non-academic jobs
OPTION 3) MASc masters in EE
T2C: 2-3 years
C2C: $10-$15K, unclear if TA/RA funding will cover this cost but I think it will.
Note: Being able to take some CS / Math / Phys courses would make this option better to me.
(could do PhD in EE in +2 years, but likely would not)
Looking forward to reading thoughts on this.
Thank you.