True and true.
We had no problem living on one grad student stipend and my part-time salary--combined about $40K/year--in a medium cost-of-living area (rent $600/month). In fact, we even managed to save several thousand dollars the first year we were married.
Ultimately, that's what I would like to do. However, I gave up a lot--at my husband's urging, mind you--to do the stay-at-home parent thing. It wasn't what I wanted to do. In fact, moving to this city wasn't my idea, either (I wanted him to accept the gig on the opposite coast). He and I...
Applying to just ONE grad program?
I'm applying to just ONE grad physics program, and a top 20 one at that (my husband is at this school, and we have a young kid, so it's this school or no school...we don't have the resources/freedom for me to commute or live elsewhere or pay tuition...
I haven't read all the posts yet (but I will), but I'll comment anyway. Yes, it's very, very hard to land a "good" professor job. It's easier than getting a prof gig in the humanities or something, but the odds are still only about 50% for physics PhDs graduating from top 10 or top 20...
What are some "in demand" skills to have as a non-academic physicist?
I'm applying to grad school (all apps seem to be due this December) in physics. Of course, I'm going to tell my prospective grad schools that I want nothing more than to be a renowned physics professor at a research...
It's funny that you should mention sitting in class and having panic attacks. I had never had one before going into physics. Maybe it was because I was so passionate about physics and trying to get into grad school--like, I was terrified of getting a B in anything--that I developed anxiety...
The worst panic attack I've ever had occurred about a month ago. I didn't have my Ativan with me on campus and so couldn't take any until I made it home. However, I was a good 20 minutes' walk from my car and another 15 minutes' drive home. During that time, the attack just got worse and...
I can't believe you guys are my colleagues! No wonder women have such a hard time getting academic positions. Before you've even carried on a conversation with us, you've already decided we're worthless, gossipy human beings. How the h3ll am I supposed to share the results of an experiment...
You realize, right, that not all women are gossip mongers? Perhaps the typical woman gossips, but I'm not a typical woman (as evidenced by me pursuing physics) and I don't gossip. I have better things to think about.
I don't work out, but I try to take a walk when I can. I'm a chick, 5'9" and 130 lbs. I'm also in my 30s, which means my metabolism is slower than you youngsters' in your twenties.