- #1
Physics_UG
Gold Member
- 288
- 2
So I graduated with a dual degree in electrical engineering and physics in 2008 (took me 5 yrs). Then I went to graduate school (PhD) in electrical engineering from 2008-2009. I didn't like the research I was doing and I was in a conflict with one of the students in me research group (long story), so I left after a year. I took a year leave of absence (2009-2010) and tried to find a job in industry but I couldn't find anything. Granted, I didn't look THAT hard since I had my heart set on going back to grad school and finishing my PhD (to a different research group). Well, I went back to grad school in the Fall 2010 to a theory group. I didn't like theory very much (sitting in front of a computer all day) and I wasn't getting along with my roommate (well, we got along but I didn't like his partying habits...he would bring lots of people over to the apartment at like 2am and whatnot). I wasn't happy in general so I left grad school again. Now I am back at home living with my parents.
Now I don't know what to do. I have wrestled around with some various ideas. Should I go to med school (I took two semesters of general chemistry with labs and two semesters of orgo chem with lab so to meet pre-med reqs I would only need to take a couple semesters of bio + labs)? I'm not even sure if my gpa is good enough for med school (~3.45). This would take 4 more yrs (plus a year to satisfy premed reqs) and ~3 yrs of residency. Plus I'd be going into ~100K more debt.
Should I get an MBA? I have read that this isn't a good idea since MBAs are more meaningful when you have some experience before going into the program. This will take ~2 yrs + ~40K more debt.
Should I go to grad school for medical physics? I could do either a masters or a PhD. This is a path that is somewhat intriguing to me but it would be a lot of debt and time, like the above options.
The idea I am most fond of is going back for a bachelor's in mechanical engineering (at my alma mater and I could start in January). This would require about 50 more credits and would cost about 43K more. It will take about 2 years to complete full time. I could do mechanical engineering internships in the summers or while going to school. The reason I would like to do this is because I want to work in the aerospace industry doing CFD work or maybe working on aerospace control systems (perhaps at boeing or another aerospace company). I would take aerospace technical electives and whatnot. I think I would build a model rocket with a control system that ensures the rocket travels straight up for my senior project. This would utilize my EE background as well. My dad could help me since he is big time into high powered model rocketry. This idea excites me because I would be an undergraduate again which I thoroughly enjoy. I might even join an engineering fraternity this time around which might improve my social life. The first time through school I was fairly anti-social.
What should I do with my life? Should I just try and find a job in industry and forget about going to school? I have been looking for a job for some time now and I haven't been having much luck. I would like to stay in Michigan if at all possible.
Also, I want to work in a field that would require a PE license. I have taken the FE exam and I want to work in a field that would give me appropriate experience under a PE in order to take the PE exam.
Sorry if I seem to me rambling on and on.
Thanks!
Now I don't know what to do. I have wrestled around with some various ideas. Should I go to med school (I took two semesters of general chemistry with labs and two semesters of orgo chem with lab so to meet pre-med reqs I would only need to take a couple semesters of bio + labs)? I'm not even sure if my gpa is good enough for med school (~3.45). This would take 4 more yrs (plus a year to satisfy premed reqs) and ~3 yrs of residency. Plus I'd be going into ~100K more debt.
Should I get an MBA? I have read that this isn't a good idea since MBAs are more meaningful when you have some experience before going into the program. This will take ~2 yrs + ~40K more debt.
Should I go to grad school for medical physics? I could do either a masters or a PhD. This is a path that is somewhat intriguing to me but it would be a lot of debt and time, like the above options.
The idea I am most fond of is going back for a bachelor's in mechanical engineering (at my alma mater and I could start in January). This would require about 50 more credits and would cost about 43K more. It will take about 2 years to complete full time. I could do mechanical engineering internships in the summers or while going to school. The reason I would like to do this is because I want to work in the aerospace industry doing CFD work or maybe working on aerospace control systems (perhaps at boeing or another aerospace company). I would take aerospace technical electives and whatnot. I think I would build a model rocket with a control system that ensures the rocket travels straight up for my senior project. This would utilize my EE background as well. My dad could help me since he is big time into high powered model rocketry. This idea excites me because I would be an undergraduate again which I thoroughly enjoy. I might even join an engineering fraternity this time around which might improve my social life. The first time through school I was fairly anti-social.
What should I do with my life? Should I just try and find a job in industry and forget about going to school? I have been looking for a job for some time now and I haven't been having much luck. I would like to stay in Michigan if at all possible.
Also, I want to work in a field that would require a PE license. I have taken the FE exam and I want to work in a field that would give me appropriate experience under a PE in order to take the PE exam.
Sorry if I seem to me rambling on and on.
Thanks!