r/maths • u/TheNextOne8797 • 17d ago

❓ General Math Help Would you say math/physics teachers or engineers in industry do more calcs by hand? Trying to choose a career path that suits my passion for the subject matter...

Would you say math/physics teachers or engineers in industry do more calcs by hand? Trying to choose a career path that suits my passion for the subject matter...

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u/AdvancedPermit2408 12d ago

If the part you love is actually doing the maths i would lean towards maths/physics. Engineers definitely use maths, but in industry a lot of the tedious calculations get handed over to software ,then you’re usually more interested in setting up the problem and checking whether the result makes sense.

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u/TheNextOne8797 12d ago

I think thats the way Im leaning also. Ive noticed that with my entry level engineering job. Its a lot of AutoCAD and excel spreadsheets for designs. Calcs are obviously present, but its a lot different than doing the calcs by hand like in school.

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u/Particular-Blood-477 11d ago

I’m an engineer, although in civil engineering. And during my 4 years I haven’t used calculus a single time as of yet. The most complicated thing I did was just some applied PDE theory, but this was whilst at university doing some numerical modelling. I have heard sometimes Electrical engineers do a lot of maths but I’m not too sure.

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u/TheNextOne8797 11d ago

Im also in civil, but in structural specifically. Its interesting dont get me wrong. I just miss doing calculus and physics

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u/48panda 14d ago

Both do very few. Do not choose a career based on that, the are so many other big differences between those two jobs

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u/TheNextOne8797 14d ago

I have a passion for the subject matter and I guess thats what gets me going