Expert: Daniel Mazur - 11/22/2008

Question
I m an engineer , unfortuntly after taking my bachelor degree I found that I unsatisfied with working in engineering enviroment ( engineering applications) , I detected that I had just joying & also clever in solving problems strategies , design problems in mathematics , physics , mechanics (theoritcally)

can you tell me how can I use that ability or talent in work enviroment career , may I be researcher ? I dont know need you aid me

you know I joying interacting with mathematical formula , deductions , problems rather than interacting with electronics equipments , devices , tools

finally how can I use this talent on my career ? is their any jobs need that ? if I want to make scholarship or master studies  what study can improve that ability ?

wish to hear from you soon
thanks  

Answer
Hi,
it is hard to give the best answer, because the best course depends on where you live, what job opportunities there are in your vicinity, how far you are willing to travel etc.
It sounds to me that you would enjoy being a theoretical physicist. It is a very attractive field and in principle one can work on theory involving any scientific topic - from black holes to electrons in materials and to chemical reactions... The discouraging fact is that of all physics fields the theoretical physics has by far the smallest job market.
I have responded to several people here at AllExperts.com, who desired to be theoretical physicists, and I need to write the same to you: You need to become the best in order to be any good as a theoretical scientist. Engineering is near applied physics, which neighbors to experimental physics, then goes computational physics and finally there is theoretical physics - it is the farthest branch of physics you might want to switch to. With an engineering background I think you best start to take physics and maths courses from the beginning. The years spent with engineering will not be much use there, unless you had already taken courses designed for scientists.
Finally, there are things in your decision making that are SEPARATE and you must be aware of it: 1) your talent and 2) your desire and 3) your capacity to work hard to get what you want. When you speak of your talent, you should have some objective measure of it - history of high-school physics or maths olympics, or at least a word from a scientist, who is well renowned in his field. For example, I like playing with equations and solving problems with my brains alone as well, but I still can see that I am far below the standard necessary for theoretical physics. As for the third, it is an old saying that 90% of genius is hard work. Even without an in-born talent you can get to do what you like for a living, but one needs to put in a lot of work and be humble about it. It is the results that count, not the intentions, not the talent alone.
I will be happy to answer more of your questions, should you have them.
Good luck,
Daniel