I quit my PhD
TLDRThe speaker shares their journey of leaving the PhD program, despite being close to completion, due to a lack of enjoyment and disillusionment with the academic system. They express a newfound passion for YouTube and other projects, valuing the broader impact and reach that online platforms offer over traditional academia. While they don't rule out a return to academia in the future, they are currently embracing the opportunity to pursue their interests and create educational content that resonates with a wider audience.
Takeaways
- 🎓 The speaker has withdrawn from their PhD program, despite being close to completion, due to a lack of enjoyment and disillusionment with the academic system.
- 🚀 They experienced a sense of being overwhelmed by the multitude of possibilities after leaving academia, but also saw it as an opportunity to explore interests outside of their PhD topic.
- 🌟 The decision to leave academia was influenced by a desire to pursue projects they were passionate about, such as YouTube and other side projects.
- 🔍 The speaker felt a disconnect between their initial interest in physics and the experimental biophysics topic of their PhD, questioning whether it truly aligned with their passions.
- 🤔 They acknowledged that many PhD students experience a period of wanting to leave, but questioned why this feeling of disillusionment should be considered normal.
- 🛣️ The speaker has embraced the idea of taking a non-traditional path, and is open to the possibility of returning to a PhD program in the future with a different focus.
- 💡 They found inspiration in the power of education on YouTube, appreciating the broad reach and impact of creating content online.
- 🌐 The speaker values the community and connection they have with their audience, and wants to continue providing educational content authentically.
- 🤝 Support was received from unexpected sources, such as their PhD supervisor and a scholarship provider, after disclosing their decision to leave the program.
- 🚀 The speaker encourages their audience to view them as a fellow learner on a journey, rather than an authority figure with all the answers.
- 🔄 The speaker reflects on the potential for change in their own interests and goals, and remains open to evolving and pursuing different paths in the future.
Q & A
Why did the YouTuber feel apprehensive about making the video?
-The YouTuber felt worried about making the video because they were concerned about being judged or letting others down due to the personal nature of the content, which involves their decision to withdraw from their PhD program.
What was the YouTuber's original academic goal?
-The YouTuber's original academic goal was to become a professor, which they considered the pinnacle of the academic pathway.
What led to the YouTuber's decision to withdraw from their PhD program?
-The YouTuber decided to withdraw from their PhD program because they began to feel disillusioned with the academic system and their specific field of study, and they were no longer enjoying the work they were doing.
How did the YouTuber describe their emotional state during the PhD program?
-The YouTuber described feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and unmotivated during their PhD program, which was a new experience for them as they had always been certain about their career path before.
What was the YouTuber's reaction to the common advice given by senior PhD students?
-The YouTuber questioned why feeling disillusioned and wanting to quit should be considered normal for PhD students, and they decided not to continue with the program despite being close to finishing.
What realization did the YouTuber have about their past achievements?
-The YouTuber realized that all the achievements they were proud of in their life came from doing something brave or stepping out of their comfort zone, rather than taking the easy road.
How did the YouTuber's PhD supervisor react to their decision to leave the program?
-The YouTuber's PhD supervisor was supportive and excited for them, expressing that her job as a supervisor was done in helping the YouTuber find a path they enjoyed.
What are some of the YouTuber's current interests and potential future paths?
-The YouTuber is interested in science communication, online education, and possibly starting their own business. They are also pursuing freelance work and considering returning to a PhD program in the future.
How does the YouTuber feel about the impact of YouTube compared to traditional education?
-The YouTuber finds YouTube to be more impactful than traditional education due to its wide reach and the personal connections that can be formed through videos.
What was the YouTuber's response to those who might have been inspired by their journey as a PhD student?
-The YouTuber expressed that they want to be authentic with their audience and that they are still a student figuring things out. They emphasized that their knowledge and past achievements have not changed despite no longer being a PhD student.
What does the YouTuber plan to do moving forward?
-The YouTuber plans to continue making educational content on YouTube full-time, exploring their interests, and potentially starting their own business in the field of online education.
Outlines
🎓 The Dilemma of Academic Pathway
The speaker begins by expressing their apprehension about discussing a challenging personal decision. They discuss the common journey from student to professor, which they had been following, but now feel they may be diverging from this traditional path. The speaker reveals they have withdrawn from their PhD program, which was a difficult decision due to uncertainty about their future and the fear of judgment. They had always pursued a clear academic trajectory but now feel at a crossroads, unsure if they want to continue towards a professorship or explore different paths. The emotional strain came from a lack of clarity about their career aspirations, which had always been focused on academia. The speaker also mentions feeling disillusioned with the academic system and finding it overwhelming to consider the wide range of possibilities outside of academia.
🤔 Questioning the Norm of Disillusionment in Academia
The speaker continues to delve into their feelings of disillusionment with the PhD program and the academic system as a whole. They question why it's considered normal to feel a lack of motivation and desire to leave during a PhD. The speaker reflects on their own feelings of wanting to be elsewhere and working on projects they enjoyed more than their PhD research. They mention that while they had made the decision to leave the program, they were hesitant to share it publicly until it was official. The speaker also discusses how their past experiences of taking brave steps led to achievements they were proud of, leading them to conclude that leaving academia was a brave decision for them. They mention a YouTube comment that made them question whether their PhD topic truly aligned with their passion for big questions in physics.
🌟 Pursuing Passion Over Conventional Academic Path
The speaker shares their contemplation on the vast array of potential PhD topics and the inevitable feeling of missing out on other interesting projects. They consider the possibility of returning to academia in the future but are currently drawn to other opportunities, including YouTube and freelance science communication. The speaker acknowledges the permanence of academic qualifications like a PhD, but they are more excited by the reach and impact of online platforms. They express a preference for the online learning environment over traditional academia and a desire to continue creating educational content. The speaker also mentions an interest in startups and online education, and while they don't have solid plans yet, they are eager to explore these interests.
🙏 Gratitude and Moving Forward
In the final paragraph, the speaker expresses their fear of disappointing those who supported their academic journey, including their PhD supervisor and scholarship providers. They were pleasantly surprised by the supportive responses they received from these parties, which eased their concerns. The speaker acknowledges the influence they have on their audience, especially as a source of inspiration for pursuing studies in physics and other fields. They emphasize their authenticity and ongoing learning journey on YouTube, and despite their current lack of a PhD title, they are still doing what they are passionate about. The speaker reassures their audience that they will continue to provide educational content and appreciates the support they have received.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡PhD program
💡Academic pathway
💡Disillusionment
💡YouTube
💡Career uncertainty
💡Authenticity
💡Fear of judgment
💡Educational content
💡Science communication
💡Personal growth
💡Passion
Highlights
The speaker begins the video by expressing their apprehension about discussing a personal and challenging decision they've made, setting the tone for a candid and introspective discussion.
They describe their academic journey, which was previously linear and focused on achieving a specific goal of becoming a professor, indicating a shift in their career trajectory.
The speaker discloses their decision to withdraw from their PhD program, highlighting the difficulty of the choice and the uncertainty it brought into their life.
They discuss the emotional strain of feeling unsure about their career direction for the first time, emphasizing the weight of this realization.
Despite being close to completing their PhD, the speaker felt a lack of enjoyment and disillusionment with the academic system, leading to their withdrawal.
The speaker reflects on the liberating yet overwhelming feeling of having countless possibilities open to them after leaving the structured path of academia.
They mention the specific moment of realization about their lack of motivation while cycling to university, illustrating the depth of their internal struggle.
The speaker talks about their passion for YouTube and other side projects, which contrasted with their dissatisfaction with their PhD work.
They articulate the inauthenticity of splitting their time between their PhD and the projects they truly enjoyed, leading to the decision to focus on what they love.
The speaker shares their belief that bravery and stepping out of their comfort zone has led to their proudest achievements, reinforcing their decision to leave academia.
A YouTube comment prompts the speaker to reflect on whether their PhD topic aligned with their true passion in physics, revealing a disconnect.
The speaker acknowledges the common struggle of PhD students with motivation and questions why this should be considered normal.
They express their interest in a variety of potential PhD topics, highlighting the difficulty of choosing just one for such a significant commitment.
The speaker admits the possibility of returning to academia in the future, but for now, they are excited by the opportunities outside of the PhD program.
They discuss the power of education on YouTube and their preference for its reach and impact over traditional academic learning systems.
The speaker shares their aspirations for the future, including the potential of starting their own business in the field of education and online platforms.
Despite the risk and fear of disappointing others, the speaker is confident and happy with their decision to pursue their interests and share their journey authentically.
The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude for their audience's support and reiterating their commitment to creating educational content on YouTube.
Transcripts
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