- #1
bardeen
- 15
- 0
(or tell me whatever your opinion is)
I am in my second summer as a graduate student and have reached a point where I am questioning all my decisions. I used to think that what was most important in my professional life was that I be doing something I loved (and that it at least payed decently). For some reason, I've gotten to the point where I'm starting to think that money is more important, and even though I still love physics, I am not sure if it's worthy enough to choose it over easier money. So I'm thinking that maybe it was a better idea to have done a master in finance or something like that, and get more money faster. The PhD in physics might lead to good money, but there's a lot of work in between, whereas for some reason I picture everything else as being a piece of cake. This is one point where I might be very mistaken. Adding to all this, I've gotten to an age where I'm hoping to find a good woman with whom to eventually build a family. So for that purpose, I want to be financially stable as soon as possible.
If I carry on with the PhD, I have two options at graduation: go on with the traditional academic route, or opt for industry. Since I'm starting to lean more towards industry, why should I waste any more time with my physics research in my PhD, rather than going straight to work or studying something more closely related?
I'm sure these doubts I'm having are common among physics grad students, so I would be very happy if some of you shared your stories and/or comments. Thank you.
I am in my second summer as a graduate student and have reached a point where I am questioning all my decisions. I used to think that what was most important in my professional life was that I be doing something I loved (and that it at least payed decently). For some reason, I've gotten to the point where I'm starting to think that money is more important, and even though I still love physics, I am not sure if it's worthy enough to choose it over easier money. So I'm thinking that maybe it was a better idea to have done a master in finance or something like that, and get more money faster. The PhD in physics might lead to good money, but there's a lot of work in between, whereas for some reason I picture everything else as being a piece of cake. This is one point where I might be very mistaken. Adding to all this, I've gotten to an age where I'm hoping to find a good woman with whom to eventually build a family. So for that purpose, I want to be financially stable as soon as possible.
If I carry on with the PhD, I have two options at graduation: go on with the traditional academic route, or opt for industry. Since I'm starting to lean more towards industry, why should I waste any more time with my physics research in my PhD, rather than going straight to work or studying something more closely related?
I'm sure these doubts I'm having are common among physics grad students, so I would be very happy if some of you shared your stories and/or comments. Thank you.