PHD/Academia After 30
I’m a relatively successful , well comp’d TPM. But I don’t see alot of inner fulfillment in my work. This is no fault of my company or colleagues, I just think I’m an academic at heart. I joined the workforce out of necessity after college due to debt and other stuff. Has anyone left tech and made a transition to PHD studies in Math/Physics/etc to chase your passion? I’m interested in those who did this in their 30’s and balanced family life at the same time. Anyone done a PHD in a STEM field while also working in tech simultaneously ? No real ask here , just wondering if anyone else could share their experience . Blind Tax YOE - 9 TC - $480 (mostly due to appreciation)
Just do it
Don't be an idiot. Work isn't supposed to be fulfilling-- it is supposed to finance the fulfilling things in your life like family, hobbies, charity, etc .
I don’t disagree . In fact I’ve told my team members as much. But lately I’m really feeling the itch myself . Maybe there’s a part time way to grow intellectually while keeping the job
This, is sadly how most mediocre people end up. Which is okay, most people will be mediocre.
Talk to professors and see if you can do research with them. I do it part time and it’s really helped me fill the intellectual stimulation gap at work.
If you are inclined to science/technology, a TPM job will never be satisfactory. You don't need to poll the world to follow your passion. You just do it.
The question is - are you willing to pay 480k a year for a PhD? My suggestion is to look for a role in the industry that you like, then work backwards to see how to get there, and build a plan
You clearly don't understand how stem PhD funding works lol assuming you're not pursuing a phd in something useless, it will be free.
I don't follow your response - please explain it in a non flippant/non mocking manner. Thanks.
Don’t wait for “good” timing- there will always be reasons to not do something; fail big, fail fast, do things that don’t scale. You can be Great at 3 things, and everything else you can do for fun: Sounds like you want to be a great husband, a great father, and a great academic- everything in your schedule that does not contribute to those 3 goals will need to be deprioritized for the time being. You can do it!! Commit and stay focused!
This is good timing. The stock market and job market will be stagnant for a few years now. Whether 5 yrs for a degree, loss of pay, and tiny number of faculty openings is good for you is another matter.
I have been itching for getting masters. Same boat.
Your dream job will find you soon. Aftar Ilium Waleh.
i started my phd in my late 20s and finished in my mid 30s. i was married, no kids. pros: fun life as a student, learned a lot, good career and salary post-phd. cons: money is terrible for years, phd can be challenging for mental health, you are older than most of your classmates i agree w other comments here to try a masters and see how you like it. a part time masters while working is doable. don't jump into a phd until you understand what you're getting into.
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