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Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 02:01:23 2020 No.12086292 View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>12086307 >>12086323 >>12086484

For working in the industry who's better, a physicist or a mathematician?

I'm in a Physics and Math common set of classes, but in a few weeks specialization starts and I have to choose Physics or Math (either Applied Math or Statistics).
Sorry if this is for /adv/, but there aren't many /sci/ posters there for useful advice

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:10:13 No.12086303 Report

Quoted By: >>12086320

What industry?

t. CEO fag

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:11:48 No.12086307 Report

Quoted By: >>12086320

>>12086292
what industry?
what do you want to do?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:17:38 No.12086320 Report

Quoted By: >>12086324

>>12086307
>>12086303
What I meant was, let's consider:
(number of open job posts * salary) / (hours a week * stress factor)
Which will score the highest, Math or Physics?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:19:51 No.12086323 Report

Quoted By: >>12086335

>>12086292
statistics is the most boring thing on the planet

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:19:56 No.12086324 Report

Quoted By: >>12086335 >>12086484

>>12086320
again it depends what kind of work you're going to be doing
both majors can go into finance, but it's probably more typical for math. you can go into research in which case only physics makes sense.

really your question is too broad to have a single answer. you need to know what kind of work you want to be doing

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:24:38 No.12086335 Report

Quoted By: >>12086338

>>12086324
>really your question is too broad to have a single answer
I have an hyperactive mind and I can't decide what the fuck I want to do. It's a game of "Let's say...".
What you say is:
If I go into research, I'm willing to bet it's really fucking hard and doesn't pay as much. But it looks like the best shot for going overseas right (physics and post graduate degree)?
As a worker (for any kind of enterprise, finances or labs idk), Math is the best choice? I'll probably want to work in algorithms but not sure
>>12086323
I kinda feel that, like there's a filter factor to machine learning, but once passed that I imagine it is boring as counting boxes. Not like my job has to be fun. What do you suggest?

Holy shit wtf am I even doing with my life

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:26:19 No.12086338 Report

Quoted By: >>12086367

>>12086335
you do research if and only if you want to do research. you don't do it for other reasons or you will fail or hate your life.
Math is definitely the more "hireable" major unless you want to do something involving programming, in which case physics is better.

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:36:18 No.12086367 Report

Quoted By: >>12086374

>>12086338
I mean, I feel like I would be depressed in the corporate world. What do you do?
>unless you want to do something involving programming, in which case physics is better.
REALLY? Everyone tells me I'm a physics guy, I love programming. I think I will choose physics definitely. Though I hated "General physics" too little thought or real math, it's like premodern shit, meanwhile calculus, linear algebra and differential equations was great and interesting.
My professor told me too that for programming, physics was going to be better. I made my mind at least about that decision. After that I guess whatever I feel like

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:40:07 No.12086374 Report

Quoted By: >>12086419

>>12086367
I'm in a physics phd currently. at the end of it I'll decide if I still like the field and try for a postdoc/professorship and if I hate it I'll go into finance or investment banking
old physics is boring shit, nobody gets a phd in "mechanics" in the current year. you don't get a math major to do "calculus, linalg, and diff eq" but you'll use those more in physics. a math major and math research is more esoteric than that.

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 02:58:26 No.12086419 Report

Quoted By: >>12086425

>>12086374
>a math major and math research is more esoteric than that.
so like... they are basically Logic Engineers?
What about "computer science", it's not as marketable as the programming skills you get with Physics?

Though, I'm doing either because I like programming and those math courses, I'll probably going to like modern physics. Would you say Physics is a better "Applied Math" course than an actual Math Major?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:00:39 No.12086425 Report

Quoted By: >>12086436

>>12086419
I don't know how to answer your question because we're getting out of my familiarity. I don't even know what "applied math" really is it sounds like a meme name. physics is pretty similar to applied math all things considered.

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:09:05 No.12086436 Report

Quoted By: >>12086442

>>12086425
what I was going at is if Math was less positive to usefulness than a Physics Major. As in, I want as many jobs available as possible, since I'm so insecure. Analyzing modern physics is probably going to be my cup of tea

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:11:53 No.12086442 Report

Quoted By: >>12086456

>>12086436
as I've tried to say your question is misguided. the pure job market of these two fields is not as important as your ability to excel and enjoy one versus the other.
we're not comparing art history with economics. these are two very similar degrees where the people going into the job market get very similar jobs. if you're able to get better grades, do more work, and succeed at a higher level in either of these fields, you should pick that one. neither of these fields are ones you go into for just the job market, you have to enjoy the work to have any reasonable chance of success, or else you'd just get an MBA

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:16:55 No.12086456 Report

Quoted By: >>12086464

>>12086442
yet you're saying Physics gives a better programming experience. they are not impossibly uncomparable, you're trying to not give me an advice yet you're being as useful as possible

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:21:36 No.12086464 Report

Quoted By: >>12086507

>>12086456
because what I'm saying is you'll end up doing more "practical" things with physics just as a result of the field. but what I'm saying is this: if you are better at math or enjoy math more, then you will have a more profitable career with math. since the fields are so similar, any small differences such as your enjoyment and engagement with one of the fields is enough to set you apart.
if you're doing physics because you think it's better for you, you're going to be less likely to seek out internships and positions that high achieving students get. but maybe you'd get these in math.
this is all hypothetical of course and highly dependent on the type of work you want to be doing. if it involves programming then I'd say physics almost always. if you are more proficient with math and think you could succeed more for your resume then that's what you should do.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:35:44 No.12086484 Report

Quoted By: >>12086491 >>12086492 >>12086539

>>12086292
What matters is your career prep over your degree more than either of those degrees themselves. You probably want to take some CS and stats courses, but most importantly, land an internship somewhere for a summer.

>>12086324
>for research only physics makes sense
What?

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:37:36 No.12086491 Report

Quoted By:

>>12086484
>>for research only physics makes sense
>What?
I think he means research for Math is scarce. Physics has more job posts or institutes

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:37:45 No.12086492 Report

Quoted By: >>12086530

>>12086484
math research is much smaller, less-funded, and generally applies to fewer industries if you decide you want to get out of it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:42:42 No.12086507 Report

Quoted By: >>12086544

>>12086464
I don't get why you think physics is better for programming. At every institution I've been apart of, CS was woven into the math department because at a not even that deep of a level, CS is just a specific face of math. I would say math and CS go hand in hand much better than physics and CS. Of course, you are absolutely right in your assessment that what matters most is OPs interest in physics vs math because either way, the content you learn will be worthless for landing industry work. It's the career opportunities you encounter that will matter.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:53:52 No.12086526 Report

Quoted By:

Both will be extremely useful bases for almost anything in scientific, technical, and quantitative fields.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 03:56:15 No.12086530 Report

Quoted By: >>12086539 >>12086545

>>12086492
I find it next to impossible to believe the state of physics academics is any better than math.

>>12086492
I think generally speaking, if you're pursuing academics and (almost inevitably) it's time for you to leave, you're not going to be doing anything related to your research. If you're doing a PhD in pure science or math, you're signing up to not end up doing that for the rest of your life.

My point is, it is really poor advice to tell someone to pursue research in physics vs math for reasons of employability because it's equally hopeless in either. You pursue one or the other because you're deeply driven to do so.

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:00:02 No.12086539 Report

Quoted By:

>>12086484
>CS and stats courses
I actually can get those under Math, "Applied Math Accentuation", with linear programming, computation courses and numerical analysis. Also Stats and probability as their own class. But as research goes, I'll have to go physics. I feel like majoring in Math but pursuing a job in physics institutes maybe?
As for the Physics Major, the most programming I will do is Computational Physics, and "stats and probability" as a single class, then I guess particle physics gets statistical
>>12086530
>I find it next to impossible to believe the state of physics academics is any better than math.
This was my presumption, that physics is a niche

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:04:19 No.12086544 Report

Quoted By: >>12086579

>>12086507
>the content you learn will be worthless for landing industry work. It's the career opportunities you encounter that will matter.
How so? I really I have no idea how I will land my first job. Let's say I go the Math route with numerical analysis, programming, stats and computation, then who offers me those job opportunities? It seems to me that all that knowledge helps in finance or programming jobs.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:04:30 No.12086545 Report

Quoted By: >>12086566

>>12086530
>I find it next to impossible to believe the state of physics academics is any better than math.
well believe it buddy. look at any graduate physics and math departments. the physics has probably 6x the number of students, and gets probably >20x the amount of funding.
>You pursue one or the other because you're deeply driven to do so.
wow it's almost as if that's what all of my replies have been saying
>I think generally speaking, if you're pursuing academics and (almost inevitably) it's time for you to leave, you're not going to be doing anything related to your research.
what I'm saying is, while both fields can go into industry in terms of finance or banking or anything data-related, physics has some industry applications in terms of quantum computing, electronics, sensors, equipment, etc..

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:11:48 No.12086566 Report

Quoted By:

>>12086545
>wow it's almost as if that's what all of my replies have been saying
I dont know who you are, I'm replying to a single comment.

My knowledge of the academic job market is based on statistics I've looked at the in past and from what I remember, there wasnt much of a significant difference, so that's why I dont believe it. We agree on the points that matter so whatever.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:17:30 No.12086579 Report

Quoted By: >>12086591

>>12086544
I should be more specific. The core math and physics curriculum is worthless by themselves. The things like stats etc is what you can use to guide yourself into a career. And no one is handing you an opportunity. Sure, you can do things like attend job fares and make a connection that will land you a job, but you want to be looking at companies that interest you, build a skillset that would make you useful for them, and then go knocking on their doors for internships. Maybe by chance opportunities will land in your lap, but you cant count on it

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:23:49 No.12086591 Report

Quoted By:

>>12086579
Thanks, this is an answer that stops my anxiety a bit. I guess I will take Math since it has a more data science kind of profile than physics. I was looking forwards to being a "data scientist", but I was thinking maybe physics is better at that as I've heard physicist do it.
My theory here is, since there is more physicists than mathematicians (thank so.yence propaganda), I've heard about physicists pivoting to data science or companies. Not because that's the better path. For data science can you tell me if I'm correct but Math sounds like the least friction path right? I feel like joining into physicists companies or institutions but as a mathematician or data scientist rather than as a physicist who knows electromagnetism or material properties

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:38:41 No.12086620 Report

Quoted By: >>12086627

bruh I studied economics at shit state school being forced into it by my retard boomer parents and ended up with a 3.0 GPA since i didn't give a single shit and slept through most of my classes. I immensely regret my choices. Just do what interests you because now is the best time for that. Don't worry about a job after as long as you develop your social skills along the way to not be a total autist when interviewing. All work sucks so might as well enjoy your youth, freedom and time now.

profileMe

profileMe Sat 05 Sep 2020 04:42:02 No.12086627 Report

Quoted By: >>12086790

>>12086620
thanks, I appreciate your thoughts. But I see postings like 2 years of some shitty frameworks and I feel like not applying since I have no experience

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 05 Sep 2020 05:56:47 No.12086790 Report

Quoted By:

>>12086627
experience is a meme if you can demonstrate competency. if you're going through the application process normally then you're already behind anyways

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