Choices Made Long Ago

I don't know how many of you have been commited to one but still in love with another and want both?

I'm just comming to the end of my masters degree (already have my undergraduate) in computer science (I also have a temporary positon as a software engineer), and I'm now applying for PhD funding in the same field. I don't regret my choice, but I still feal I'm missing out on persuing what would have been my second choice, my other love - physics (my grade A at Advanced Higher would have got me in to any undergraduate physics course at the time I was applying to university, I just chose the computing route). I've always wondered about this but it's been brought to the front of my thoughts lately, mainly due to the repeated public appearances of Prof. Brian Cox on TV. Also I enjoy reading on the subject too.

I know if I'd chosen differently I'd likely be in the same position in reverse, so I'm *not* saying I've chosen wrong, just that I'd like to have chosen both. I think if I had access to unlimited money with no need to ever be earning, I'd do my PhD in computing as planned, then persue studys in physics, or do both part time concurrently, or something like that, whatever seems right, and see whether I feel fulfiled by any of those options.

Realistically this can't happen as I have to find a way to be making money, not paying out tuition fees for even longer pursuing interests. What I'll likely do if persue my PhD if I can get funding, or get a 9-till-5 if I can't and in neither case explore my interests fully.

I'm not sure what my long-term goals are, but I've always enjoyed learning.

I'm certainly open to hearing anyone's thoughts here?

P.S. To anyone reading this who is significantly older-and-wiser than I am... I'm 25 and okay I'm aware parhaps that is too young to be having "regets" or dispair about paths not taken. What do you think is right here?

I'd say that depends greatly on your comparative interest in the two, and what exactly you plan to do with them career wise. Pragmatically speaking, computer science seems the better option though. It's not my field, so I may be way off base, but it seems that unless you're interested in teaching, an Engineering degree would be considerably more valuable than a Physics degree.

I've always liked geology but I in no way regret pursuing my master's in civil engineering.At least I can do geotechnical work.

It is not uncommon to have multiple interests and wonder about other options at any age. The funding is usually an issue. The nice thing is there are always options but the first priority has always been to the current career goals, the education required to maximize the career options with one's education, and establish oneself within the one field first. Classes in the meantime towards one's passion are an option, especially if trying to get established in another field. Knowledge always enhances us to apply to whatever field we are in. HOWEVER, if not liking the current field, change it; it's not worth pursuing education for something you are not committed to and passionate about. If do like the current one, the further education will help you in your field, and then consider pursuing the physics once you are established in the other.

Thanks.

I don't know what my career plans are and I do still like my current field. I've always been persuing my interests and my love of learning. If I knew what my career plans were it would be easier to decide on these things.

I would like to stay in the academic environment an intend to go on to research. It seems the most sensible option right now.

There's always the posibility of combining interests some time in the distant future. If say I went in to quantum computing. Even if I didn't, the kind of advanced mathematics which would be involved in a theoretical phsyics degree (and one of the unversities I looked at offers a combined theoretical phsyics & maths MPhys course) might itself help with many aspects of computing research such as the statistical modeling involved with the research that I'm applying to work on at the moment. Plus people with knowledge of other areas bring different ways of thinking to a subject. I could work on computer modeling of physics or physically-inspired metahuristics.

Of course this won't happen soon... I'm just wondering whether it'll be (A) later or (B) never.

When you abandon things to decide to just focus on your current career? A lot of people must have dreams that are entirely incompatable with what they're established in, such as starting a business or climbing mt. everest. *I* don't want to do either of those things. Does anyone here have these kinds of interests? Some people persue their dreams and others don't. Some people get left with regrets and others don't seem to mind.

My husband is a computer engineer (hardware and software) with a heavy interest in physics. Why not work for APL or the space program, etc.? Work with both?

I'd like to stay in the UK and I don't know what the extent of our involvment in the space program is. I wasn't really thinking about astronomy and related fields, but yes that's a good suggestion.

Which APL? Sorry unfamiliar three-letter-acronyms. I just googled it and came up several results relating to physics.