Thinking of giving up science career

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magz
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03 Jan 2019, 6:42 am

First, I don't have to work for money. My spouse earns much more than I ever could, much more than any of us is willing to spend.
I'm trying to finish my PhD studies in theoretical physics and I can't. My mental health is in poor state, I can't work. I had a major mental breakdown over two years ago and all my resources went to recovery, leaving almost nothing for work.
Then the family. Two demanding children and a husband struggling with his own issues. I do my best to support them, burn on in and it is quite invisible. You can't put this into your CV, even if you perform miracles.

I have had given up my career in science before. And came back a few years later. I love science. I love to learn. I love to explore. But I can't stick to a career path they expect me to follow. I can't pursue titles, score publications, apply for grants...

I just don't know what to do. If I could do anything, I would like to read Marx to check if I am right that he underestimated the social effects of technological progress... which is pretty obviously totally unrelated to what I should be doing.

Any thougths welcome.


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blazingstar
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03 Jan 2019, 8:32 am

I finished my PhD but likewise found the bs regarding publishing, raising grant money, committee meetings, etc. suffocating. I only worked a short time in my field. Every now and then I will interact with a former school mate and get that gut clench that I had failed. But then reality sets in and I would have been miserable working in academia. So my choice worked well for me.

in regards to not needing to work, in my country women always have to be ready at the drop of a hat to support themselves and their children. So you might want to keep a plan B in mind.

Besides that, I believe you should follow your passions.


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BTDT
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03 Jan 2019, 9:00 am

I did engineering instead of science, even though I was a top science student and should have gone into the sciences based on my aptitudes. Way more jobs for engineers. If you choose the right job that pays well without being overly demanding you can still do science as a hobby.



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03 Jan 2019, 9:46 am

I wanted to be a scientist too and was a research tech for awhile and wanted to go to graduate school but it never happened. It sucks.


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BTDT
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03 Jan 2019, 9:56 am

Most aspies can't handle the social aspects of a modern science career.