I chose to do PhD because I thought all people who are
passionate about science should naturally pursue academic work
further.
In fact, I become less sharp after completing my PhD. Imagine
repeated computations and experimentations just to get the
'correct' results. One can still understand books in a 'deeper
fashion' without a PhD through disciplined self-study.
to your first sentence, that's what alot of people thought after
completing their masters. they haven't yet entered the real
academic world. amateurs only talk about passion. most people who
continued with phd wish to end up teaching in the universities or
be researchers. they dont know what its like and how it works
there.
when u get your phd cert, u are just a Dr. u are not a prof and
cant hold a teaching position in the uni. so most ppl went to do
further research with the science agency. the seniors and old birds
there will direct your research, so most of the time u end up doing
what they want u to do, right?
this is why most newbies start feeling the lost of their passion
as they could not do what they wanted, but end up doing what people
want them to do. on top of that, i understand that there is a
certain force that pushes u to churn out research papers like a
printing machine, right? and the results of these research papers
must be 'correct' and desired by your mentors, right?
i have a relative, after completing his science phd, worked and
toiled like cow for 5 years. his salary is only $3k per month. can
u imagine a guy in his mid 30s earning that and cant afford to have
car and children? i think even a normal degree graduate earn more
than him at the same age.
