Heard on the street (11th ed)

[Krill]

Are there any scientists on this board who actually like science anymore?

[KrazyHorse]

Science ****ing sucks. **** science.

[Ramo]

Cashing out (temporarily, anyways).

Theory is hard, throw rocks at it.

[KrazyHorse]

Cashing out forever:

Retiring at 50:

My goal is to work less years than I was in school.

[Krill]

Science ****ing sucks. **** science.

preaching to the converted...

[Lul Thyme]

Are there any scientists on this board who actually like science anymore?

I'll be getting my Math Phd probably by the end of the year.

(I am not sure if this post will really answer your question, which was a bit ambiguous : it's not clear if you meant "like science" or "wants to get a job as a scientist". For example, even KH said he'll still "follow" physics.)

As of now, I don't regret going down this path even though I'm still not yet entirely sure what I want to do next. I suppose if I wanted to maximize my bank account as fast as possible, I should probably have chosen another path, but that's not really a priority for me.

I actually view my job\career\whatever as being at most second fiddle to the rest of my life. Friends and family, hobbies, traveling, having a lot of free time takes priority to a large extent. I view the job as an enabler for some of these and hopefully an additional way to feel like I'm achieving something.

In this sense, keeping my student status for as long as possible has always felt like the best fit for me. I get few responsibilities, a lot of free time, a lot of opportunities to travel, while still "progressing" (in the sense of getting a degree) and being paid enough for my needs for it. It's my understanding that academia is the "closest job to being a student" so it seems like that's where I might be heading. I actually like teaching and don't mind doing research.

Of course, it's probably not for everyone, but I just can't see myself doing 5 days a week, 8 hours a day regular office work like most of my friends now do. For the last few years (actually I could push this back to when I finished high school I suppose) I usually went to school 2-3 days a week for a few hours and then distribute my work in between whatever else I want. I can't complain.

[Jon Miller]

My first 3.5 years were pretty easy going... but I didn't make enough progress and I spent way too much money.

I had friends who were a bit more focused than I, and could have a good time and make good progress too. Many of them were also better with money (keeping to the cheap drinks helps).

The lab has not been easy going.

I haven't had all that much free time for hobbies/friends/family/free timeetc. I guess I have had some, but I have always felt that I needed to work, so ended up procrastinating instead of really going out.

I really feel like to be successful, I need to make it my life and priority. I don't want to do that, and that is why I suspect that I will leave physics for somewhere where I can work 8 hours a day and be done at the end of the day (usually).

JM