I'm absolutely obsessed with space and organoids. They're like fuel for my excitement about life and all the cool science stuff out there. But honestly, spending 80 hours a week at SpaceX or grinding through a master's and PhD in biochemistry or biomedical engineering is a tough one. As much as I love diving deep into these topics, I'm not sure I'm up for that level of commitment. The arguments for not doing these is that “normal” SWE jobs pay very well which leads to financial stability and allows you to pursue hobbies. I just graduated and have a whole life ahead of me, but I’ve never been this comfortable before due to my salary and work environment. I can finally afford to buy all the hot sauce I want and be able to go go-karting one week and paint ball the next week, and golfing the week after. It’s silly, I know. Does studying these things for fun outside of work without pursuing it as a career fill that urge or excitement? How do you determine if it’s worth it to go down these paths? TC: 140
Not really. You will find the need to get more hobbies
Self study is the best indoor hobby but if you do it enough you eventually find there is an emptiness to doing it for it's own sake. It's still fun but not the same as contributing which is the true purpose of study. Idk about space but if you live in sf, nyc, Seattle or randomly Baltimore there are community bio labs where you can meaningfully contribute to projects outside the academic system. One example is the open plant project making insulin in a new model organism. DIY bio is quite hard on your own still but a movement might spark off this decade. It's kind of like home brew computer club or something.
Work for a company that is focused on that space. You don’t have to be PhD in astrophysics. Just be swe in that company.
Not sure if that would satisfy the urge. You'd still be just a bystander while other people will get to do the cool stuff.
I hear you. But a lot better than being swe in an insurance company or even typical FAANg.
Pursue your passion, money alone won't make you happy. You can always get a job as SWE if you get tired of it. Plus you can still make food money in bio and space while doing what excites you.
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I just watched the documentary about RBG and I found it amazing how she found time doing workout and going to opera after consuming herself with work. She slept 3-4 hours a day and spent a whole weekend to recharge. She never watched TV at home. I knew it was extreme but if you like something, you will find a way.