r/Physics • u/Sea-Analysis8265 • 12h ago

Question Have you ever switched your field of interest?

From the beginning of my BSc I was really interested in high-energy physics, especially in theoretical particle physics, so I took related courses on advanced math and mathematical physics, went to conferences, talked with professors working in HEP, and (tried) to read papers from the field. But I realized that pure theoretical stuff was not the right field for me.

I enjoy the hard math and I respect people who are working in very technical areas like strings, BSM theories, dark matter, orbifolds, etc., but I don’t picture myself doing this type of work in the future. I feel the necessity of working closer to experimental data (I don’t see myself becoming an experimental physicist either). Maybe phenomenology is closer to what I'm looking for.

  • Have you ever changed your field of interest in physics?
  • Do you have any suggestions on how to go about this?
  • How did you know it was the “right” field for you?
  • How much did “being employable” influence your choice?

I’m trying (if it is possible) to find an intersection between working on a field that I find interesting and something that gives me transferable skills in case I can’t succeed in the academic path. (Is it too early to think about this?)

Since I was convinced that theoretical particle physics was for me, I didn’t pay much attention to other areas, but I took interest in gravitational-wave detection (interferometers are pretty cool devices) and plasma physics (fusion in tokamaks). I’m exploring other areas, so I would really appreciate it if you could share some of the things you find cool in your field.

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u/cubej333 12h ago

I went from HEP theory ( first two years) to Condensed Matter theory (3rd year) to Experimental Nuclear Physics (PhD) to Astroparticle Physics (postdocs ) to Neutrino Physics (assistant professor) to the Semiconductor industry.

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u/cubej333 12h ago

While i met ( weekly) with professors, all i really accomplished my first three years was to take classes and TA.