Change of Fields/Schools/Life Decisions

[TheCPT]

  So, I have a question for all you other wonderful graduate students out there. I graduated last year from a little A&M in physics, with a stellar reputation there (4.0 GPA, published, etc), and am now attending a "Top-5/10" graduate school for physics. I wish now that I had looked more into the advice of other graduate students before I had made this decision, because I realized I did this because I had no real life plans after graduation, and it "seemed like the right thing to do," after getting some pressure from the professors at my alma mater (I don't think anyone had gone to a prestigious grad school in this field from my school is in 10-15 years). That being said, I would have been much much better off now looking back on it taking a year or two off to figure out what I wanted to do, because even as an undergraduate I wasn't passionate, or even really happy about my field. I did what I did to build the best resume I could, and to finish a degree in in four years before I ran out of money, in the hopes that my outlook on things might radically change when I entered graduate school and changed sub-fields.  Needless to say, that didn't happen. I now don't really want to remain in academia (no desire to be a professor or academic scientist of any sort) any longer than I have to, and honestly getting a good engineering job right now would be great. It's getting hard to keep up in classes at this point, when you realize that you really don't have any passion for what you're learning.

 

  However, I want to exit without destroying my future. I don't know what I want right now as far as life directions; I'm not sure I can stomach research in any field of the caliber that is performed here right now (gotten a little too burned out recently), but I think maybe an advanced degree in mechanical engineering or a related will get me where I want to go eventually. I've spoken repeatedly with my DGS about feeling really burnt out with the field, and wanting to change directions (this also may have been a mistake), since I am not currently doing research with any faculty right now. My DGS did advise me that taking leave for a year might be good for me to straighten my perspective and determine what it was I wanted to do. My question to you all is, since I have almost no intention of finishing my physics PhD but have learned I would rather pursue a graduate degree in a different field, does taking leave for a year or two by my own personal volition (my academic standing here is not bad) look questionable if I were to reapply to another school in the coming year or two? Also, should I stick around long enough and find someone to work with in research to generate some sort of favorable letter of recommendation? How important is it that I get a letter of rec from my current school, and would someone like the lecturer I TA for be an acceptable substitute?  Also would it look better to finish the masters degree or to jump ship before then?

 

  Hopefully someone can learn something from my mistakes here. Also, any more general advice is also appreciated.

[zapster]

When you say "graduate degree in a different field" - I assume you are talking about a PhD in another field - if so, why do a PhD if you do not want to continue in academia / research?

 

I would recommend completing the Masters program (how long till you can get that?). If you do, you should be able to find engineering jobs without the need for a PhD. In fact, with a Physics/Maths background, there are plenty of jobs in Consulting, Finance, Economics, etc. which you may also want to look into, if only for a year or two to get a different perspective.

 

A Masters program will also strengthen your profile if you do want to pursue another PhD program finally. Also take this time to think through your options more carefully and get some research experience - a letter from a research advisor or a published paper, even if not in a top tier journal, should improve your PhD application.

 

Best of luck !

[TeaGirl]

I second the suggestion of getting out with a Masters degree and leaving it at that. If you are only in your first year talk to your school's graduate advisor about the possibility of transfer to a Masters program in engineering. Try and get a summer internship in an engineering firm to get some experience. That should make it easier to find work as an engineer when you get your degree.

 

Since you are talking about feeling burned out (and I know the feeling) I highly highly recommend to take a 1-2 year break between your masters and going for a PhD. I did my Masters right after my BE and trust me, even when you love your field, you can feel burned out and forget why you ever got into it in the first place. Get a job and see what the world is like and decide later on if you want to dive back in.

 

If you're already past your quals/candidacy/etc. then you should talk to your advisor about your wishes to change fields from physics to engineering and about your goals in life and see what advice they can give. They may try talk you into staying, so you should be sure of what it is that you want to do. An LOR is a requirement from your MS advisor for most schools should you decide to apply to a PhD later, so you need to present this as a responsible decision that you made because you know what your goals are. Either way, if engineering is your end goal, start investigating what courses you can take right away and look for internships and jobs in the meantime.

Edited February 11, 2013 by TeaGirl

[rae303]

It does not look bad to take a leave of absence, so I would recommend taking a leave and clearing your head a bit.  Then come back and finish the masters, as the best option is definitely to leave with the masters.  I would also work on making a contact that can provide you a LoR as this will be important when you attempt to transfer.  A TA or lecturer recommendation would be better than nothing, but a rec would carry a lot more weight coming from a prof.