- #1
FsLiu
- 21
- 0
Hey guys,
I'm contemplating doing a Master's degree in materials engineering.
I'm graduating with a petroleum engineering degree in the spring of next year. I've had numerous internships which, after some weeks of reflection, made me realize that I'm simply not happy when I'm working for other people. I feel like the work I do doesn't contribute anything to my self development, and that it's so far away from the fundamental laws of physics which is what truly interests me.
One of the things I found was that whenever I became depressed or discouraged during my work or life, I would fantasize about materials engineering, and how I should have gone into that instead. I just keep thinking back to my second year course that was the most interesting course I've ever taken to this day.
My idea is to pursue an academic career path, really. I guess my ideal life is to learn and research while getting paid to do it.
My worry is that I'm giving up a $80k/year job to study something that I only have an introductory knowledge in at the moment. Furthermore, I've only ever heard of how competitive the academia route is. But at the same time, working for oil companies just drains me mentally, and makes me feel like I'm wasting my intellect and more than 1/3 of my life every single day.
I'm very eager to hear the advice from you guys. I feel really really lost at this stage in my life. Am I just having an early mid-life crisis? Am I idealizing life too much?
Thanks so much,
fsliu
I'm contemplating doing a Master's degree in materials engineering.
I'm graduating with a petroleum engineering degree in the spring of next year. I've had numerous internships which, after some weeks of reflection, made me realize that I'm simply not happy when I'm working for other people. I feel like the work I do doesn't contribute anything to my self development, and that it's so far away from the fundamental laws of physics which is what truly interests me.
One of the things I found was that whenever I became depressed or discouraged during my work or life, I would fantasize about materials engineering, and how I should have gone into that instead. I just keep thinking back to my second year course that was the most interesting course I've ever taken to this day.
My idea is to pursue an academic career path, really. I guess my ideal life is to learn and research while getting paid to do it.
My worry is that I'm giving up a $80k/year job to study something that I only have an introductory knowledge in at the moment. Furthermore, I've only ever heard of how competitive the academia route is. But at the same time, working for oil companies just drains me mentally, and makes me feel like I'm wasting my intellect and more than 1/3 of my life every single day.
I'm very eager to hear the advice from you guys. I feel really really lost at this stage in my life. Am I just having an early mid-life crisis? Am I idealizing life too much?
Thanks so much,
fsliu