Can I Become a Physicist at 30?

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In summary: If it is, then you can ramp up your studies and eventually make it to a PhD program. If not, you can still come out of it with a lot of valuable skills and experience that you can use in your career.In summary, there is still hope for someone who has been depressed and lost 10 years of their life, but they will need to go to college and get a physics degree. If they can finish that, they should be close to becoming a physicist as any other physics major. However, if they are 30 now, they may want to reconsider what becoming a physicist means. It will be 4 years before they finish college, and 5 years before they get their PhD. They'll be 40 before they even apply for
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arphoenix
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Dear Friends,

I always wanted to be a physicist and while in grade12 I got into depression which cost me 10 precious years of my life. I'm 30 now and haven't yet got to college. Is there hope for me?
 
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You have to go to college and get a physics degree (or math degree with lots of physics classes). If you can finish that, then in principle you should be just as close to becoming a physicist as any other physics major.

However, if you are 30 now, you may want to reconsider what becoming a physicist actually means. It will be 4 years before you finish college, and another 5 years before you get your PhD. You'll be 40 before you even apply for post doc positions, which is pretty much the first time that you get enough money to support more than just yourself (that is, you can't really support a family until then). For some people that is unacceptable, but for others it's a small price to pay. In your case, you may be hoping to advance faster in life than that, I know I would.
 
  • #3
I agree with DimReg.

Being 30 does not create any barriers that don't exist for a 20 year old who also wants to embark on that path, but there are the practical considerations:

1. At 20 its a lot easier to live in residence or student housing and survive on KD than it is at 30.
2. At 30 most people start thinking of things like family, mortgage, RRSPs, etc. A graduate student salary (assuming you get that far) is not condusive to supporting large financial obligations.
3. The majority of your peers will be younger than you which may leave you feeling somewhat isolated.
4. Remember the odds. Of people who go so far as to get a PhD, you've got a roughly 1 in 10 chance of going on to becoming a professor. I don't know what the odds are of getting to the PhD in the first place out of a pool of incoming university students who want to pursue physics... maybe 1 in 10 again. So even with large uncertainty in those numbers, you can seen the odds are that you won't end up as a physics professor. This has nothing to do with you age. Those are the numbers for everyone.

All of that said, there's no reason you CAN'T at least start. Why not enroll in a few first year courses and find out if physics is something you really want to do.
 

FAQ: Can I Become a Physicist at 30?

Can I still become a Physicist if I didn't major in Physics in college?

Yes, it is possible to become a physicist even if you didn't major in Physics in college. Many successful physicists come from diverse academic backgrounds, such as engineering, mathematics, or even philosophy. You can still pursue a career in Physics by taking relevant coursework, conducting research, and gaining experience in the field.

Is it too late to become a Physicist if I'm already in my 30s or 40s?

No, it is never too late to become a Physicist. Many successful physicists started their careers later in life, and age is not a barrier to pursuing a career in Physics. With dedication and hard work, you can still achieve your goals and make significant contributions to the field.

Do I need to have exceptional math skills to become a Physicist?

While having strong math skills is essential for a career in Physics, it is not the only requirement. With practice and determination, anyone can improve their math skills and become a successful physicist. It is also important to have critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills to excel in this field.

Can I become a Physicist if I have a disability?

Yes, having a disability does not prevent someone from becoming a Physicist. There are many accommodations and resources available to help individuals with disabilities pursue a career in Physics. Many successful physicists have overcome their disabilities and have made significant contributions to the field.

What career opportunities are available for Physicists?

There are various career opportunities available for Physicists, both in academia and industry. Some common career paths include research positions in universities or government labs, teaching positions, and roles in industries such as aerospace, healthcare, and technology. Physicists can also pursue careers in data science, finance, and consulting.

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