From: pbond@spitws100.sbil.co.uk (Philip Bond)
Newsgroups: sci.physics
Subject: Re: The Future of Physics
Date: 22 Jul 92 09:23:17 GMT
Reply-To: pbond@spitws100.sbil.co.uk
Organization: Salomon Brothers, Ltd.

In article 29916@sfu.ca, palmer@sfu.ca (Leigh Palmer) writes:
>In article <1430qvINN3no@agate.berkeley.edu> davidk@garnet.berkeley.edu (David
>Kokorowski), a University of California, Berkeley undergraduate, writes:
>
>>[...]
>>My question is, is there an area in physics I can specialize in where I can be
>>fairly certaining of eventually holding down a fairly reasonably paying job.
>>[...]
>
>My answer to your question is "No". That should in no way deter you from 
>studying physics, however, since that seems to be what you want to study. To 
>see the rationality of my position you need only note that my answer would be 
>the same to questions like yours in which the word "physics" is changed to 
>"philosophy" or "anthropology". You are fortunate to be attending, at taxpayer 
>expense, perhaps the finest public institution of higher learning in the world.
>
>(You may guess that I am a Cal grad.) Many who did not make it, indeed many who
>
>did not even apply, or could not because of residential or financial condition,
>
>would love to be in your position. Abandon the spurious motivation you express 
>here implicitly and seize the wonderful opportunity which you have been given.
>Only in that way can you truly deserve your great good fortune.
>
>Leigh


Since when is wanting a reasonable job a spurious motivation ? Having a decent
job that is socially useful and pays OK ( "fairly reasonably" ) is a damn
fine ambition in my view. I studied physics and mathematics just because I
love them, and I think that that is a good enough motive too, but it 
isn't the only one. I think that anyone who studies physics because it is
a discipline that they find interesting but who also wants a reasonable standard
of living is just showing plain common sense.
	So to answer the question ; I reckon the best thing is to learn some
solid state physics and electronics. They are very interesting subjects in and
of themselves, so if you decide to become a monk, nothing lost. However, they
frequently lead to well-paid and interesting jobs. Most decent faculties have
some kind of courses in "Physics with electronics" or some such. Give it a try.
The solid state could lead you into superconductivity ; some well-remunerated
posts there for strong candidates. Funnily enough, your best bet in electronics
is to get a good grounding in analogue circuitry ; almost everyone is studying
the digital stuff ( of course, you MUST learn that... ) but this is now leaving 
a need for engineers who understand analogue circuitry.
	If you are good enough and sufficiently motivated, try a PhD. 
These definitely boost your level and there is reasonable evidence that
a PhD from a good University helps throughout a career, so it makes a 
good investment. Don't do one unless you are enthusiastic though { IMHO }. 
	One last thing ; contact the major companies ( Bell labs , IBM etc.) 
and ask them what kind of skills they are looking for. They are often 
helpful provided you explain roughly what you want to do.

	Hope this helps,

	MHO only, usual disclaimers of course,

	Phil.