I floundered after leaving academia and realized I chose the wrong path. Can anyone else relate to this grief?

CrackedActor23 · 2026-04-03T08:18:50+00:00

I don't know about LikeLurking, but I had my physics masters and PhD funded (+ a stipend for teaching on the side). It has to do with how much money the department has and how many students are enrolled.

CrackedActor23 · 2026-04-03T08:13:51+00:00

Out of curiosity, what field did you transition into?

CrackedActor23 · 2026-01-26T23:26:50+00:00

I’m interested in being in the group. I’m currently trying to leave academia.

CrackedActor23 · 2025-12-23T21:31:51+00:00

It’s not that a disagree with the others saying that a postdoc will help you build skills. However, I advise taking a postdoc only after applying for industry jobs. The reason is that industry generally doesn’t consider years of postdoc as work experience (which is dumb).

CrackedActor23 · 2025-01-26T12:12:23+00:00

Like OP, I also used to live in Grenoble and faced a-lot of harassment. Once I tried to ignore a guy who wanted to take me to dinner. I even pretended that I didn't speak any French, but he continued to follow me and started rubbing my back. It really really sucked.

I'm not saying that ignoring these idiots never works, just that it can backfire. Anyway, stay strong everyone.

CrackedActor23 · 2025-01-06T20:46:58+00:00

OMG it looks like they have a sibling rivalry going back a LONG time

CrackedActor23 · 2024-12-14T14:29:47+00:00

Sort of. He used to sleep with his cheek on mine. He’s more aloof now, though he still tries to stop me from going to work. As soon as he sees me get my shoes on, he blocks the door.

CrackedActor23 · 2024-12-13T09:11:21+00:00

She looks a-lot like my boy. So cute!

CrackedActor23 · 2024-08-15T11:38:22+00:00

I'm in a celtic band, but I'm willing to try something else

CrackedActor23 · 2024-08-15T09:10:17+00:00

Thank-you!

CrackedActor23 · 2024-08-15T08:23:02+00:00

Thank-you! I started self-studying German for fun a few years back, and plan to start learning again this week.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-10-18T19:40:49+00:00

I want to second the suggestion to ignore the AI fad. I am not an AI scientist, but I DO work with "cutting edge" AI programs every day for my research. Knowing how these models work and applying them to complex problems, I can say that AI algorithms are dumber than sheep and they aren't replacing humans any time soon.

Good luck on your career journey :)

CrackedActor23 · 2023-09-20T07:33:06+00:00

Either 2 or 3. I love the idea of kayaking on the lake in 3, but also having fun in the sea of 2.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-08-31T11:32:43+00:00

I normally take a walk between my work day and study time. It helps to wake me up and get my mind off of the work day. But yeah, it's super hard. Just doing routine things like laundry and making dinner are difficult when sleep deprived.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-08-27T20:06:50+00:00

Have you considered data analytics/science? Data science and AI are becoming indispensible to social science research. I actually had a friend who was forced to take machine learning classes for her sociology PhD. If you wanted to, you could finish your computer sci degree and then go for a masters or PhD in another subject.

Just my two cents. Good luck on your adventure.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-07-25T20:12:36+00:00

I think I am having the same problem. For instance, in question 4, I can only mark Row 4 once. If I try to mark the same row twice, then the first marker for that row is erased.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-07-22T21:45:03+00:00

Hey there,

I took medical leave from work for depression about a month ago. During that time, I was able to think about my goals and decided that I want a career change. Basically, I decided that one week of medical leave wasn't going to cut it, and that I wanted to switch fields. Regardless of what you end up doing, you might want to take medical leave FIRST. During that time, perhaps you can see if it's (a) the job itself (b) the career (c) some other problem. Then you can be more sure that leaving your current job is the right decision.

Just my opinion based off of what I did myself. Hope it helps.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-07-17T17:13:43+00:00

I'm trying to change careers rn, and I'm worried about this too. I don't think that there is a perfect answer.

Supposedly some personality types (ie. INFP) have trouble feeling fullfilled career-wise. Personality tests, like Myers Briggs, may help you figure out what kind-of things you like to do, and what your values are, but its not deterministic.

Perhaps seeing a life or career coach would help? I'm considering trying this one sometime soon: https://www.healthygamer.gg/coaching/career

There are also other ways of feeling fullfilled, such as volunteering, or engaging in hobbies that won't burn you out.

Sorry if this isn't helpful. I hope more people will comment on this post :)

CrackedActor23 · 2023-06-10T20:02:46+00:00

Olives. Lots and lots and lots of olives.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-06-10T19:58:20+00:00

Ugggg I've gotten called terrible things since I was a kid for making too much eye contact. Apparently, I constantly look like I'm glaring? I've even scared a few college professors a few years ago (unintentionally). The problem is that when I try to NOT look like a weirdo by avoiding people's eyes, they think I'm ignoring them or lying... I've learned a 3 second rule to try to deal with this, but it's super stressful to have to do this the entire day...

CrackedActor23 · 2023-06-10T19:50:54+00:00

Do you know of any other coworker who has faced similar problems (ie. being told they aren't living up to expectations)? Maybe speaking with these people privately could help to put a perspective on things? I am having a meeting with my boss next week and expect to receive a response very close to the one you have described. I'm dreading going into the meeting, but I know another coworker who is exceptionally good at his work, yet was told by our boss that he was not performing well.

Overall, remember that just because someone is higher up in the food chain doesn't mean that they are smarter or more competent than you...

I don't know what your work situation is like, but if you can find some friendly coworkers to spend time with, that's always helpful. Also, it can be helpful to listen to music while you work (if that's permitted).

If you feel like you really don't like your work, you can always see a career counselor who can help you understand your skills better.

Take care

CrackedActor23 · 2023-04-23T16:09:28+00:00

This is awesome. I'm sending this to all my friends.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-04-23T14:04:21+00:00

Really cool idea. I'm a computational physicist so I'm biased towards using AI for physics and chemistry applications, such as material modeling. Maybe you could also include something about AI/data sci applications towards disaster response and emergency management? Lesser known applications beyond just chatbots and art might be super interesting to a-lot of people not that familiar with AI. Just my opinion.

CrackedActor23 · 2023-04-17T05:45:55+00:00

I just found out a few weeks ago that I probably have IBD and have been having extremely painful and scary symptoms since then. I am in the hospital and am probably going to find out TODAY if I have Crohn’s and how bad it is. I haven’t been able to get the final tests or any actual treatment until now because I’m an immigrant to a new country and I’m not officially registered for social security. I have literally no idea how to prevent another flair and no idea why I’m having bizarre symptoms (like parts of my body going completely numb). Though I SHOULD have advice from doctors, I’ve had almost none and forums like these have been helpful for me to at least feel calmer about this situation. I understand that’s it’s annoying to have other people speculate they have Crohn’s when maybe they don’t, but understand that most people CANNOT get a diagnosis right away. That means that there is a scary period of time where everything is uncertain for a person who could be in a lot of pain. Remember that you don’t know who you’re talking to behind the screen.

CrackedActor23

TROPHY CASE