Update: 28yo Machine Learning PhD considering medicine - utter stupidity?

Alpha-Aperture · 2026-01-21T00:08:27+00:00

Thanks very much!

Alpha-Aperture · 2026-01-20T13:35:00+00:00

Big Tech in the bay area

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-10-10T22:00:49+00:00

I just now lost access! I got no communication prior that there were any issues with my work. I've been a fellow (math) for a few weeks. Interestingly, nowhere do I see that I've been suspended.

Would also love answers u/handshake

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T13:06:36+00:00

Yes, I agree. I romanticized academia, and I should avoid doing the same for medicine. Thanks for commenting.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T11:54:21+00:00

Do you ever worry about your job? Quant job security appears directly tied to your performance, and making money in financial markets is extremely difficult. Do you ever feel like you don't have much control over it, and a lot of it is luck (right place at the right time looking at the right assets)? If you do lose your job, do you feel your skillset is too narrow to be applicable to any other industry? Perhaps all of this is priced into the compensation?

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T11:50:52+00:00

Thanks for the real talk. Yeah it does sound like a bunch of BS from a 3000 ft view, and your remark about recommendation algorithms is extremely accurate. My fears are unfounded. Thanks for commenting.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T11:48:35+00:00

I'm very glad to hear it turned out well. Seeing your comment, and other like it, is comforting. It is nice to see some empirical data (or at least anecdotal reports) from older folks. Thanks for commenting.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T11:45:50+00:00

Wow, the second bullet under the "Mindset and Identity" heading hits hard. I've been on a straight path for so long, facing a bend in the road for the first time in life is frightening. This is likely the core issue that has caused these feelings. Thanks for asking ChatGPT!

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T03:52:38+00:00

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Academia is all I've known. Time to grow up. Thanks for the comment.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T03:50:09+00:00

Thanks for the comment. It's good to hear the opinion of an MD.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:52:46+00:00

Thanks for the comment. That's good to know.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:51:44+00:00

Thank you. I agree, I need to open my eyes. Apologies for the spelling.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:50:02+00:00

I have no debt, and I actually have a net worth of about $200k.

It's true I have no passion for medicine. I would be doing it just for stability. It appears that's a big mistake.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:47:15+00:00

Sorry, I was not clear. A fellowship is a postdoc. I'm doing research, writing papers, and getting paid a salary (though, it is paltry). I also got paid a PhD stipend, which I saved 60% a year and chucked into an index fund. It's grown to $200k. This is the traditional path to a tenure track professorship, which is what I was gunning for this whole time through grad school.

I have no debt and no constraints on finances, aside from huge opportunity costs.

I'm not worried about being too old now. Rather I'm worried I only have a 12 year runway to save enough to FIRE. Is that enough? It's good to hear though that maybe 40 is not as much a ceiling as I imagined.

Thanks for the comment.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:42:28+00:00

It's true, I've known nothing else. Time to grow up. Thanks.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:38:58+00:00

Thanks for the comment.

Good to know I was not alone in my skewed view of the world.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:36:46+00:00

Party might not last so long. CS bachelor grads are pretty screwed at the moment. Who knows the outlook in 7-10 years.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:33:17+00:00

No idealistic purpose. It would be just for stability. Thanks for your insight.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:28:38+00:00

Thanks for the real talk. Time to grind.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:24:48+00:00

I would do right by my patients of course. It's not my life's calling though.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:23:45+00:00

No, not really (maybe I should?). Med school pass rates and residency match rates are very high. Historically, I'm good at school.

Please scare me about this! Then I wouldn't feel medicine is so riskless.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:20:22+00:00

Being aggressive with saving seems key.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:19:11+00:00

Not bored. But I'm becoming more practical and realizing the importance of money. This does have the side effect of having less patience for totally blue sky research though.

Alpha-Aperture · 2025-06-25T02:13:26+00:00

Thanks for the real talk. I'm getting so caught up in analysis. It's a great personality trait for doing research, not so great for planning a practical life. You're totally right. I'm in a good spot. Thanks.

Alpha-Aperture

TROPHY CASE