Think Twice Before Becoming a Scientist: PhDs Are Regretting Their Choice

If you want to know more about the secret inner workings of academia - check out this video next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr6r3qUaEVs

Lot of truth in this text 😂. I feel blessed to have found a position in Singapore right after my PhD. They made me permanent after a year, a huge miracle!

I’m a first year PhD student here in the UK, and I love my research without any loss of enthusiasm. But this love ends with my PhD and not anything about academia. It’s so toxic, all I hear them speak of is papers, papers, grants, extremely toxic. I’m only here for the skills and experience. After that/prior to its end, industry is where I am gunning for!

I find it intriguing that so many people are struggling with the decision to leave academia. For me, it was the easiest decision to make. I was so unhappy during my PhD that I was already looking and applying for industry jobs during the last few months before my defense.

1999... and 25 years later this is sadly relatable. The system is outdated.

All very true. I am old now, graduated with a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from Arizona State University in 1991. Did at postdoc at MIT for 2 1/2 years. No academic jobs in the field anywhere to be found. The competition for the few associate professor positions offered was intense, chances of success to get one of those low. Decided to leave the field and do 'menial' Industry work instead. It paid well. This anecdotal first-hand bit to show that the issue (DO NOT DO A POSTDOC) is not new. Strangely I have no regrets about obtaining a Ph.D. degree as it is a fun, mind expanding experience. Was for me, at least.

So much truth. I hold a doctorate from none other than Oxford, and it still took me a few YEARS to find the right job outside of Science. The idea that PhD's are the key to opening any job opportunity is old and dated. If you are a doctoral candidate you have 2 choices: 1. you continue in your specific field, earning 30k a year and spending upwards of 60% of your time writing grant proposals rather than doing actual research, or 2. Get out of Science, but that is ONLY possible if (like it says in the vid) you have built bridges beforehand with potential employers. I chose option 2 without networking with employers, meaning I was then too old and not experienced enough at age 28 to enter 'junior' positions in any field except manual work. That's right, despite having a PhD in neuroscience.

One of the biggest traps is getting a PhD without any job experience before hand. Finish your degree, get some experience in the field THEN do your PhD

I came from industry to academia and I found it better. My sleep got better and life happier. I feel much younger while dealing with students. There is too much corruption in industry. There is corruption in academia too, but nobody dies in academia, when you don't do your job. Imagine putting low quality materials in building or cutting corners when designing a power plant. Also, you see how much tax payers money is being simply pocketed. Academia was a salvation for me.

My wife described postdoc as 'purgatory for clever people'. She avoided it like the plague the second she got her PhD in food science and was fortunate enough to be able to go straight into R&D in Denmark as a researcher. She wholeheartedly agrees that postdocs do what lab technicians do in R&D, who typically only need to hold undergraduate degrees - they execute experiments and tests required by the research work spearheaded by researchers who are the PhD holders. Back home in Malaysia years later, she was offered to teach at a university due to her industry experience but the pay was insulting compared to what she was getting at the time as a Lead Researcher in R&D. Now she's in management and realized this is where the big money actually is. lol.

I'm coming towards the end of my PhD now and I have to admit, academia is the last place I want to end up. The amount of work, effort and reward for the roles just don't add up. My supervisor's supervisor when she was on her PhD died at a young(ish) age from heart problems due to stress and being overworked. The problem is for many people in my position, we cannot see where the other prospects lie and the potential paths. Through the academic door, there is a dull and flickering light. Through the 'industry' door, I see nothing but a dark room. Yet I am still drawn towards the dark room over the dimly lit one - which probably speaks volumes to the state of academia.

I left academia after 3.5 years of postdoc and joined the public sector. Best decision I have ever made. I do not regret the years spent pursuing PhD at all but regret not leaving academia sooner. Sure it is not all roses but trust me, it's miles better than the weight of uncertainty in academic limbo as a perpetual postdoc. If you are looking for a sign to exit academia, this is it.

I feel like I have stopped learning in my master/PhD. I just do grants all day. I don’t want to do research anymore. I hate it. So stressed because I feel like I have to start all over again

If you aren’t being offered to be paid to get your phd, you shouldn’t do it.

That's why, many people prefer trade school (pursuing vendor's certificates and licenses) than college, nowadays. 😊

Universities exist to make money for themselves. Educating people is the product they sell, but universities do not care if the degree programs they provide end up being economically rewarding for their graduates. In fact, I would say that universities believe that thinking about the financial future of their students is beneath them. They believe that only trade schools are really concerned about that issue. And trade schools are low class and far beneath the dignity of a university. Most nations have let their universities get out of control. Politicians have cooperated with the university heads to pass laws that funnel more money to schools, and give them even greater monopolies on higher education. Average voters need to yell and scream at our politicians to remove the laws that give universities monopolies. We need to open things up so there is a lot more competition in higher education.

Very helpful as a person who is just finishing his PhD. Would be great if you could make videos on the transition from PhD to industry , especially in non-comp sci engineering related fields.

I'm 5 years into the program now! Lost last 2 years due to personal issues! I've never been the same since! School doesn't care about you! They just want that degree pumped out! I'm out of funds and still can't get a fucking meeting with advisor! Too scared to quit because I'm an international in the USA and my parents spent a lot of money on school! I'm yet to finish my proposal defence! Have been locked up my room for days at times! Smoked pot and drank for months at a stretch! Feeling like stagnant water sucks! And the worse case there is nothing you can do about it! You're at the mercy of the advisors and on thier timeline to meet and schedule things! I'm 30 now! My 20s feels wasted! Just need some guidance now! Used all the things Andy taught me to publish my first paper though.!

Worse is when you have to move between different countries with different languages. Moving between UK and Australia is easier than moving between Germany and France.

Postdoc is only a transition post, do a max of 2 years and move to permant post in academia, or just go to industry. Look also for international opportunities.