What are the benefits of getting a Ph.D.? A perspective from a Ph.D. physicist now working in the chip industry
After working as a postdoc for four years, I recently left academia and enjoy my new life working in the industry. As my current role does not require a Ph.D. degree, I sometimes feel regretful about not starting my industry career earlier. Looking back on my decision of getting a Ph.D. in physics, I used to be passionate about doing scientific research and imagined myself working as a physicist in a research institute like my former employer LLNL. I decided to leave academia because I was tired of the uncertainties in both research itself and personal finance as a postdoc, especially after my son was born. After watching an inspiring interview with Prof. George A. Constantinides posted by Shilicon (老石) on YouTube, I feel resonated with one of the sentences by George. He said that getting a Ph.D. is a rare chance that you can have a certain block of time in your life where you can focus on a specific research field and dig deeply into it without worrying too much about other things.