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I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

marcelhaas.com

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Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#101

Post by julienchastang »

> It seems too late to get back in.

It is probably too late to get a tenure (or scientist) track position, but through perseverance I think you can work as a software developer (and probably a bit of a pay cut if you are OK with that) in any number of scientific research institutions (e.g., JPL, any number of FFRDCs). Many of these software engineering jobs have the possibility of working remotely, as well. And your PhD will be a big help if you are applying for NSF, NASA, DOE grants. I work at an atmospheric science research institute and we are in the process of hiring an AI/ML developer. I too prefer the academic / research institute life. I am looking forward to getting back to science conferences when the pandemic is over.

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#102

Post by selimthegrim »

astrophysician wrote: post #43

As another former astrophysicist-turned-datascientist (though with only 2 years after the transition instead of Marcel's 7), this hits close to home, but my experience in both worlds I think is a bit different. If you are an astrophysicist curious about moving into the datascience profession, I would just like to point out that satisfaction with a move like that depends on a large number of factors, and that you shou…

What's your blog address?

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#103

Post by 8bitsrule »

Being gainfully unemployed at a topic doesn't mean you can't stay relatively current with it, these days. Losing the title doesn't strip you of your qualifications or reason.

With the right foundation and motivations, the quiet and solitude of being physically apart from it (and the politics) might actually improve your chances of real insight.

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#104

Post by bumby »

willis936 wrote: post #98
bumby wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they can't imagine doing something that "only" pays $100K or $150K or whatever. “Comparison is the thief of joy” I saw research from a few years back that indicated happiness peaked a little over $100k in salary and actually tended downward above that. It’s been my experience that people who are solely focused on salary tend to do so because they don’t know what else to optimize their life around.

$100k is close to twice what you make in academia unless you’re a professor.

You’re pretty close, onet says median wage is about $65k.

Would you say most of the people there are hustling for the chance at a professorship, early career, or just love the environment/work?

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#105

Post by bumby »

magneticnorth wrote: post #45
mellosouls wrote: post #3

Most of the regrets here seem to be about quitting academia or "meaningful" work rather than astrophysics per se. No reason why as a data scientist he can't pivot from financial services into something more research oriented within industry, or back into academia; the pay will likely be much less in the latter case, but the opportunities for work on a more meaningful track with like-minded people will be there.

As another STEM PhD data scientist who is thinking of pivoting back into academia at some point, do you have specific examples of the kinds of jobs that are available that would welcome and benefit from industry DS experience? Perhaps teaching DS or computer science?

Not too long ago, I interviewed for a ML position for a large oncology organization. I didn’t get the gig, but I find the healthcare field to be a rewarding application of CS/DS skills.

Plus, you rub elbows with a lot of academia if you plan on going back.

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#106

Post by owenversteeg »

ramraj07 wrote: post #97
unemphysbro wrote: post #16

I'm a new-isly minted biophysics PhD. The reason I got into physics was because it felt fulfilling and my opinion of industry was shaped by a high-school internship at a defense contractor which was a total slog. During my PhD, I got the full experience, drumming up new ideas, grant/proposal writing, managing and setting project goals, maintaining collaborations and doing the actual work. It was fulfilling and fun es…

There will always be regrets, but at least you'll sleep better and rub your tears with Benjamins if you leave academia and regret that :) Academia will always look like the grass is greener "I can do whatever I want" type. But we shouldn't forget actually you can't, you can only do what others think you're good at, and what the grant review panels think you can feasibly do. My plan is to just use the extra money from…

Just out of curiosity, how much is a fancy deltavision microscope? I very briefly Googled to check and didn't see anything on eBay or other sites.

And why not rent time on one? Apparently the University of Arizona (and a number of other universities) rent time on theirs for $25/hr (https://microscopy.arizona.edu/equipment/deltavision-rt-deco...)

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#107

Post by foota »

unemphysbro wrote: post #16

I'm a new-isly minted biophysics PhD. The reason I got into physics was because it felt fulfilling and my opinion of industry was shaped by a high-school internship at a defense contractor which was a total slog. During my PhD, I got the full experience, drumming up new ideas, grant/proposal writing, managing and setting project goals, maintaining collaborations and doing the actual work. It was fulfilling and fun es…

I can't tell if 2 body problem is a play on words for a relationship or simply a physics problem. :thinking:

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#108

Post by eindiran »

foota wrote: post #107
unemphysbro wrote: post #16

I'm a new-isly minted biophysics PhD. The reason I got into physics was because it felt fulfilling and my opinion of industry was shaped by a high-school internship at a defense contractor which was a total slog. During my PhD, I got the full experience, drumming up new ideas, grant/proposal writing, managing and setting project goals, maintaining collaborations and doing the actual work. It was fulfilling and fun es…

I can't tell if 2 body problem is a play on words for a relationship or simply a physics problem. :thinking:

It's a play on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-body_problem

But referring to a relationship, and the difficulty of finding a location that works for both people in a relationship. See:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=two-body%20p...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-body_problem_(career)

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#109

Post by dcl »

> I miss passion and being proud of what I do. The internet says I have ”the sexiest job of the 21st century”, but I think my previous job was more enjoyable to brag about at birthday parties.

Hits way too close to home!

As a bullshit data scientist, I cry a little inside when people ask me what I do. Whilst I deeply miss academia for the same reasons in that post, I absolutely don't regret leaving. I do however, regret quitting the bank/quant job I got immediately after finishing my PhD. Was far more interesting, challenging, productive and way more useful than the absolute nonsense I typically work on now.

Re: I Regret Quitting Astrophysics

#110

Post by rusticpenn »

supernova87a wrote: post #60

Do I miss quitting astrophysics? Hmm, which do I miss? -- The once-per-year job cycle where if you don't find something you like, you have to wait another year to land your next soft money position? -- The lack of perception of fairness or clear criteria for how the top fellowships are awarded? -- The feeling that you're in an endless apprenticeship model like a pyramid scheme where only by the top people leaving do…

Reminds me of my Engineering PhD/ postdoc.
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