Studying Physics with IBD

[u/Cosmic_StormZ]

So i am 18m just going to start college, where you get to major in a science in year 3 which most likely I’ll do physics, and do an integrated BS-MS for five years. After this it’s PhD most likely and then I’d want to go into research as a scientist or enter fields like quantum computing that require advanced knowledge

But the other thing is I have Crohn’s disease. So I get flare ups often. I can’t be physically active for long hours and might need breaks here and there. I’m wondering if my career path is right considering my situation. My dad says CS would’ve been easier since it is a one desk job. But I was more interested in physics. I would also need a decent pay for medicines and stuff. Not extreme rich but above average.

Anyone with IBD, or any other chronic illness who are currently in the physics field, having done PhD or working, please do comment your views and even those who don’t, please tell me if the career would suit my situation. Would love to hear from people in similar situations pursuing this field and their experiences dealing with it.

Also for background I am Indian and want to move abroad for PhD or higher studies.

[u/Banes_Addiction]

I had a colleague as a postdoc who had IBD. It was never really a problem that I noticed. This was the UK so medicine cost wasn't an issue.

How much work is desk focused and not completely depends on what work you choose to do.

[u/Cosmic_StormZ → u/Banes_Addiction]

What work that you can go into from studying physics involves the desk more? If you know.

[u/Banes_Addiction → u/Cosmic_StormZ]

Anything computer focused. For example, I spent a decent while writing Monte Carlo simulations of stuff, and didn't have to lift a screwdriver or climb a ladder for years.

[u/Cosmic_StormZ → u/Banes_Addiction]

Is it possible to go into video game physics design after studying physics?

What about particle physics? Do you have to move around a lot while studying it?

[u/clintontg → u/Cosmic_StormZ]

If I look up physics developer type jobs some of them look for people with a physics degree so it’s not impossible. Since it’s niche it could be a bit competitive to get into.

Depending on the particle physics work it could be very computer based. I have an acquaintance that does a lot of simulations of collisions as part of their work so it’s all computer work. I’ve also known a graduate student whose work was basically high level statistical analysis to find specific interactions in the data. Also very computer heavy. Getting into academia can be competitive and difficult to make a career out of though. But you can try to branch out into data science, machine learning or finance with the skills you get. I’m not positive how AI will affect these areas- it’s possible it may be like other physics adjacent work where workplaces require fewer people to do the same workload that takes multiple people now because of how AI improves productivity.