Is formal science education worthless?
I have a master's in physics, and now nearly 3 years on from graduating feel no more well informed than when I started uni. Was just taught to pass exams, and that knowledge has vanished once I left academia and went into work.
I mean it got me a job, but I don't feel like I really learned anything.
>>8171452
What is your job?
>>8171465
Work in financial markets for one of the big banks. Mostly FX, some IRM stuff.
>>8171467
And you're surprised that you forgot how to do physics?
>>8171470
Yes. I'm not surprised I'm not as sharp as I was while actively studying, I'm surprised it's ALL gone. I was reading my own dissertation and it's like a foreign language.
>>8171477
Perhaps getting a job related to your degree would have helped in not forgetting your fucking COLLEGE MAJOR
>>8171452
I feel the same, I haven't graduated yet but most of what I've learned in previous years is forgotten to me. Once you begin to specialise in physics (I mainly do HEP) you get more and more focused and need to absorb more and more specific knowledge. Without the need to revisit old topics (e.g. thermo or materials science) you'll forget it, just like any other knowledge that you don't need to refresh.
Out of interest how do you find your job in finance? I am tempted to go over to the dark side
I personally found that I learnt hardly anything of use while in formal education.
Same except I did an engineering degree and stopped putting effort in to it about halfway through. Also my uni was shit and barely provided substantial foundational courses.
>>8171452
>>8171467
You are dumb. Literally resign and look for a job that specifically needs physics and you'll notice how fast your re-learn by just looking at the material and going in your mind 'oh yeah, so that is how this shit worked'.
Or if you like your job then just get any kind of motivation to read some physics.
You made a mistake by reading your own dissertation. Maybe you have a stronger connection to it but it is still top tier content. If you were to pick up a general physics book about a specific topic but in a broad context then you'd do fine.
Obviously the best way to make use of your degree is to find a job that's related to it.
But I don't think it's worthless either way. The main key behind scientific education is studying a way of thinking, and getting the tools needed for critical thinking, paper reading, studying, etc.
I can tell you that I work in bioinformatics, and we love physicists here, your critical thinking skills are incredible, and you're extremely thorough.
As for the "knowledge" that you lost, I am sure that you could easily retrieve it in a few months if you put your mind to it, but the important thing is that you now have the tools to do whatever you fucking want.
>>8171452
Education teaches you how to think, not what to think
>>8171452
>and now nearly 3 years on from graduating feel no more well informed than when I started uni
That's no one's fault but your own
>Was just taught to pass exams
Then you completely missed the point of getting a degree in physics
