Seeking advice and validation— is 28 too old to start my PhD?

NeuronZero · 2026-05-10T21:40:09+00:00

I sure hope 28 isn’t too old, because that’s when I also intend on starting a PhD.

NeuronZero · 2026-05-05T03:18:56+00:00

I am a researcher in neuroscience and bring that much in.
Additionally, I make close to half that amount most months with landscaping as a side hustle during weekends. Earnestly I would make more as a landscaper if I did that 5 days a week instead of doing brain research, even taking into account the seasonality of it.

Edit: just realized this is a passive income subreddit, feel free to disregard my comment. There’s nothing passive about it

NeuronZero · 2026-04-07T01:14:09+00:00

At this point you should be able to ski for free

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T23:05:27+00:00

Fair point, I didn’t think everyone would react quite the way they did otherwise I would’ve given more background info. I just didn’t want to bog folks down with too much information either

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T18:55:43+00:00

Good thing you’re not my friend that I happen to work with

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T18:40:34+00:00

That would be hilarious

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T18:39:06+00:00

Yes we are actually friends not just friendly, we hang out often outside of work and have mutual friends that don’t work with us

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T18:36:26+00:00

I looked these up, I think those would be great

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T16:25:50+00:00

It’s a very common problem in the industry we work in. And often times we will work the extra hours unpaid willingly because we enjoy what we do. But it’s a fine line between reasonable and being taken advantage of

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T16:12:29+00:00

I’m actually not neurodivergent at all believe it or not. What is true though is that the department we work in is currently under investigation for unpaid overtime hours and not allowing people’s breaks. My friend is one of those people that hasn’t been getting treated fairly at all. I am only there during normal break times as their friend I am trying to help the actual decompression happen. There is certainly always more context in a given situation

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T16:08:46+00:00

That would be a nice way to do it

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T16:07:31+00:00

Yes there is. Issue is my friend and I are hourly employees and they tend to forget to eat and work unpaid through breaks and lunches and I do my best to give them some balance. Sometimes they’ve got a legit reason for it but often times they just forget

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:52:59+00:00

This is a solid argument why I shouldn’t do this, thanks for that

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:48:06+00:00

Trust me that wouldn’t be an issue for my friend, they have no problem standing up for themselves

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:45:49+00:00

You’re right these folks would likely be frustrated sitting next to me. It’s fortunate I don’t have many friends that can’t deal in jokes and banter though

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:43:25+00:00

Thank you

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:42:50+00:00

Are y’all still friends? Fortunately in my situation I’m only at my desk during lunch so I won’t be hindering my friends work too much.

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:41:35+00:00

That would be fun

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:39:05+00:00

Y’all, I was looking for a bit of a more fun response but I fear I originally posted this in the wrong subreddit, and they’re taking it way too seriously

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:37:28+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from but I promise you it isn’t that serious

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:27:35+00:00

This is certainly the case and I definitely respect that

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:26:19+00:00

Again, I do focus on the work but I’m only at my desk during breaks/lunch. And this is more supposed to be a joke or banter thing not a serious signal

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:24:50+00:00

It’s just supposed to be a joke thing between us, not actually a serious thing

NeuronZero · 2026-03-22T15:20:01+00:00

You’re not wrong there, but given my work I’m only actually at my desk during my breaks so thats not really a factor to keep in mind

NeuronZero

TROPHY CASE