What factors should be considered when choosing a field of science?

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Choosing a specific field of science can be challenging, as personal experiences often shape these decisions. Exposure to various subjects, such as programming or math, can ignite interest and lead to a particular career path. Many individuals find that their journey is a series of interconnected experiences that guide them toward their specialty. Additionally, considering future growth in a field can be beneficial, though predicting long-term trends is inherently uncertain. Ultimately, the path to a science specialty often involves a combination of passion, curiosity, and the influence of past experiences.
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Hi all
So I'm having a really hard time choosing to pursue a specific field of science. How did you choose your specialty of science, why did you pursue it?
 
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davidp92 said:
Hi all
So I'm having a really hard time choosing to pursue a specific field of science. How did you choose your specialty of science, why did you pursue it?

Hey davidp92 and welcome to the forums.

For me it was getting exposed to something and then taking it from there.

As an example a friend introduced me to BASIC and I was so amazed I spent most of my free time in high school learning how to program.

I learned about 3D games and that came with a lot of math.

One thing leads to something which leads to something which leads to what I'm doing right now.

I don't know if it was fate or not, but I'm glad that all of these accidents in life have led me to the path I am pursuing now (If all goes to plan I'll graduate with a double major in math next year).
 
davidp92 said:
Hi all
So I'm having a really hard time choosing to pursue a specific field of science. How did you choose your specialty of science, why did you pursue it?
The ultimate strategy would be to go into that field which is going to be experiencing the most growth at the same time you are in your prime. You may need a crystal ball for that.
 
In response to what zoobyshoe said, it's often extremely difficult for anyone to know what they will be doing five to ten years in advance.
 
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
I have a specialization in condensed matter physics and materials physics, and off-late, I have been seeing a lot of research directions moving towards quantum computing (AMO and non-linear optics) and the huge chunk of quantum materials research (and funding) is dedicated towards QIS and QC research. I am wondering (sort of in a dilemma), if I should consider switching my field? I am currently at the stage of a postdoc.
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