- #1
nikkilou
- 8
- 0
I think after completing my PhD I want to make a switch to medical physics. With my background (described below) this shouldn't be too great of a switch. (I wish I had realized this sooner, as in undergrad I was thinking biomedical engineering, but found myself far more interested in the technology than the cells.)
I have recently completed my masters in Nuclear Engineering and have concurrently been working on my PhD in Engineering Physics with a minor in electronic materials (one of those programs where you "get your masters along the way"). I am ~2.5 years in, so roughly half way (yay!). My undergraduate education is applied physics with a minor in chemistry, and while no minor, a number of biology classes. After finishing school, and possibly a post-doc or other position for a few years, I plan (hope) to teach at a university. I've considered a number of interests that I have, but this seems to be the best (it's probably my second choice field, but with one of the better outlooks and more job availability in the midwest where I want to end up).
Having made this decision, I now have 2 thoughts:
Please let me know your thoughts or if you or someone you know has done something similar. I know there's never certainties in life, but if I could have some confidence in this working out I think graduate school would be a little less stressful.
Thanks!
I have recently completed my masters in Nuclear Engineering and have concurrently been working on my PhD in Engineering Physics with a minor in electronic materials (one of those programs where you "get your masters along the way"). I am ~2.5 years in, so roughly half way (yay!). My undergraduate education is applied physics with a minor in chemistry, and while no minor, a number of biology classes. After finishing school, and possibly a post-doc or other position for a few years, I plan (hope) to teach at a university. I've considered a number of interests that I have, but this seems to be the best (it's probably my second choice field, but with one of the better outlooks and more job availability in the midwest where I want to end up).
Having made this decision, I now have 2 thoughts:
- How can I make myself more appealing for a career in medical physics? (I am under the impression that to do clinical work you must do a ~2 year residency and from a technology/research end you can go without this. Also, I've focused on diagnostics, which will (hopefully) make me more appealing.)
- Should I complete my PhD in my program or switch now? (I like that things are a bit more open with my current degree, meaning I could go a handful of routes given job outlooks when I'm done. I also feel like I've invested a lot of time and hate to pointlessly throw it away if I can help it, unless of course it would add up to even more time by sticking with it.)
Please let me know your thoughts or if you or someone you know has done something similar. I know there's never certainties in life, but if I could have some confidence in this working out I think graduate school would be a little less stressful.
Thanks!