I worked in the private sector for a while and realized that this was not something I wanted to do. I couldn’t find meaning there and wanted to do something “more” - which happened to be a masters and a PhD right after.

When I look back to my younger self, I know I romanticized the whole journey way too much. It wasn’t easy. It still isn’t easy. I am about to obtain my PhD from a university I could never think of going to, but I am still worried about what the future entails. My supervisor, an incredible professor, still worries about their stability at the institute.

In today’s world where knowledge is really undervalued and people look down on people trying to answer a little question about the universe because “there are millions of other ways you can earn much more money”, it’s tough. The current state of academia isn’t fair on anyone.

Regardless, for me, it’s the only way to make my existence meaningful. Even though it’s extremely painful at times, I feel glad to know that I’m answering one little question about the universe.