<p>Physicists are in the same boat with engineers a lot of the time because they often work in the same area: R&D. So if it gets so bad that there are absolutely no physics jobs, it will affect engineers too. Then if you based your career choice on what you percieved as “saftey,” not only will you be unemployed, but unhappy too.</p>
<p>If this recession has taught us anything, its that nothing is certain. Rule of thumb: Math, science and engineering students usually can find jobs, even in this tough economy. Besides, graduate school might not work out, something unexpected might come up. So base your major on what you would want to for the next 40-45 years without going to grad school. Is that engineering or physics?</p>