A Journey from Engineering to Physics: Reflecting on a Career Path
When reflecting on my academic journey, one pivotal decision stands out: changing my college major from engineering to physics. This decision, made at a formative time, has shaped not only my career but my worldview.
From Engineering to Physics: An Unlikely Start
My college journey began as an engineering student. However, my first challenge came early on, in my first semester, with an 8 a.m. physics class. Waking up at 8:15 a.m., I sprinted across campus to make it just in time for the exam. Despite my efforts, I received a C, which, perhaps surprisingly, turned out to be the highest C in the class. While I received an A in my engineering class, this experience served as a wake-up call and a catalyst for change.
I promptly approached the administrative office and decided to change my major to physics. This decision was not a matter of mere academic performance, but a realization of my true passion for understanding the why and how behind scientific principles. The journey from engineering to physics was driven by a deeper interest in the origins and fundamentals of science, rather than just the application of engineering solutions.
Exploring Interests in Science: Redesign or Reveal the Why?
During my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to interview for a summer internship at a government lab. The interviewer, a well-known physicist, challenged me with a question that encapsulated the crux of my interest in physics: if given a black box that wasn’t working, would I focus on fixing it, redesigning it, or determining why it ever worked in the first place?
My instinctive response was clear: I would want to determine why the device ever worked. This response resonated with the interviewer, who affirmed that my approach aligned well with the principles of physics. He stated, 'Then you made the right decision.' This lighthearted comment underscored the fundamental difference between engineering and the pursuit of physics.
Engineering focuses on practical applications and designing solutions. Physics, on the other hand, delves into the why and how of these solutions. It is about understanding the underlying principles and validating knowledge. This pursuit aligns more closely with my lifelong interest in comprehending the world around me.
Implications and Reflections on My Decision
Changing my major from engineering to physics was a significant step that involved reevaluating my educational goals and personal passions. While the decision was made over sixty-five years ago, it remains a defining moment in my academic and professional life.
This journey highlighted the importance of aligning one's educational pursuits with their intrinsic interests. The pursuit of physics was a natural evolution of my desire to understand the fundamentals of science and the validation of knowledge. This decision opened doors to a career path that successfully merged my interests in engineering applications with a deep-seated curiosity in the underlying principles of science.
Looking back, this decision was not just a matter of changing majors but a shift in the way I viewed and approached scientific inquiry. It reinforced my belief that understanding the why is as important as knowing the how. This mindset has served me well in a career where both these aspects are crucial.