Is life happier in academia or industry? [Learn from my mistakes]

In this video, I share with you the struggles of finding a job that matches what makes you happy and trying to avoid the trap of trying to create a happier life by just changing jobs.
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - introduction
0:07 - chasing happiness through jobs
3:45 - money
4:55 - flexibility
6:29 - stability
8:25 - personality factors
9:53 - radical career changes
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[@Catata123]

In academia you do have the freedom to work those 80 hours a week whenever you want!

[@tonysegadelli9421]

You don't have a beard in any of the photos. Is that the actual measurement of happiness?

[@eswnl1]

I wonder how many more views on KZbin a hefty beard can buy.

[@bogdanmihai4599]

haha 😂

[@Erintii]

As someone who left Academia to industry I will say industry. But I think it all depends on a person. Lack of stability of Academia destroyed my mental health. For me at least, it was not possible to feel happy constantly worried about what will happen next year. But this is me. Money does not buy happiness, but personal satisfaction will not pay rent. In Academia I felt my work is worthless and people were not satisfied, but I might be unlucky to be in a toxic group. But I understand how flexibility can be important. For me, contracts had devastating effect on my mental health this is not for me. I think Academia vs industry is a question about freedom vs stability; flexibility vs 9to5 job. For me stability is more important than freedom, I am happy with 9 to 5 job that allow to rent something better than a studio. Money is not everything but for me it is impossible to live happily in a tiny studio, with food budget or even worse roommates.

[@RFG-np6bl]

Fk Academia's salary system, especially for those 'stipends'

[@Erintii]

@@RFG-np6bl true

[@gsal227]

More often than not (increasingly so these days), freedom and flexibility are luxuries afforded only to those who are already rich or who happen to be financially fortunate.

[@Erintii]

@@gsal227 Agree

[@bogdanmihai4599]

academia has something romantic about it and dreamers can be attracted by this illusion. In industry one would get in contact with reality super fast

[@davidnelson2204]

Best thing I ever did was leave academia. Straight track from bachelor's to PhD for biochemistry. I think it was the point where I realized being a PhD was not very fancy. You learn to set up experiments a little better... switched to an ENTIRELY different industry after. Appears after all that I was looking for a job where I could be respected widely as an authority while teaching people actively. Funnily enough, I found that in insurance. Through learning insurance, I learned about investments and how to start businesses. Don't be afraid of change, and you may surprise yourself when you find a job you never thought you'd really like (dad was in the industry so I just knew insurance was stable)

[@snlvl]

Wow. I have seen your comment right now. I hace the exact same situation as you did right now. I am a biochemist and I left my PhD programme. I do really feel I am capable of doing great things outside of academia. I am scared though... but your comment is a great inspiration cause I also started the PhD just for the teaching aspect

[@Govardhan23821]

Me too

[@anupamjana1876]

A million dollar video Andy.thanks for getting me confused once again.

[@Immudzen]

I am much happier in industry than academia. I do valuable work that helps people every day. I have the resources needed to do my job. I don't have to chase funding or write papers.

[@Govardhan23821]

Yes.. I think this way nly

[@TienNguyen-us8nh]

Thank you, Andy. I am in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. This video may not resolve my problems but I does help me think a bit clearer. You should make more video like this!!

[@MrMtanz]

Its so funny you mentioned the flexibility aspect of industry vs academia. For me, my full time MS was filled with micromanaging and absurdly strict schedule adherence, whereas my industry job I got afterwards is totally chill on when I come in to work. As long as I hit my 8 hours a day, they don't care when I come in. Its like we had the complete opposite experience lol

[@IDViotti]

For stability purposes, Brazil is the other way around. Since the best universities here are public, the gov contract you get when teaching is pretty much the best you can find. I had many teachers that were absolutely horrible but were safe knowing that nothing would happend to them because of contract.

[@Shanksdan]

I am now also faced with the decision whether to stay in academia or go to industry after my PhD. Glad to see that you discuss this topic. Thanks for your videos!

[@cyilmazoglu]

What did you decide?

[@chrisbotos]

Hey man! Are you still doing your PhD or did you make that decision?

[@darrelldamon2745]

Yet again Andy,, you hit the nail on the head

[@timetraveler1203]

I finished my undergraduate with honours last year and then got a full time job in industry. I have been working for about 6 months now but will be leaving to start my PhD next month. From my short experience, i have realised that working in industry is more chill. You can take weekends for resting without worrying about work too much. I liked my experience but I decided to go back to school as I wanted to get a PhD.

[@saraoberrauch]

Interesting! I'm curious what made you want to get a PhD? :)

[@elshazlio]

Love your videos. Especially appreciate the outline-like style in which they are structured.

[@Khafaji89]

Very thorough in an interesting way and most importantly your videos are very informative Glad I discovered your channel

[@emanal-shatti3412]

Thanks a lot for sharing your insights towards this subject , it was engaging my mind ..still need to probe about it

[@ChibiliMugala]

Loved this! I can relate to a lot of what you mentioned. Firstly, that correlation between knowing what makes you happy in your career and your ability to do it on the job is highly important. Even if you are getting millions, if you don't love to turn up and feel like you're paid to know the people are work, then better straighten out your life. Great content as always Andy!

[@joaopedrorocha4790]

Hi Andy. Thanks a lot for sharing your insights ... I have been reflecting a lot on the theme you've talked about ... Knowing about your experience is really helpful! I've found what you've talked about your personal traits really interesting... It would be cool to watch a video of yours talking more about it, something like: tips for people of academic background that wants to explore entrepreneurship.

[@Alhamzah_F_Abbas]

Very valuable video, as a PhD survivor, you make things more clearer to me. Thanks

[@fuilingvoon4526]

'but now, I don't even know what I'm doing.' LOL So true! Thanks for the video, it really gives me some clues of what am I looking for.

[@JPT90]

Andy you are a great communicator! I just wanted to share my experience on here as someone who also did their degree in Australia. Almost 10 years ago I finished my Honours degree and upon graduation I didn't know what to do. At the time I had a really great supervisor for my honours thesis and she offered me a position as a research assistant after graduating. I was in that position for 18 months and was very fortunate because I had the opportunity to publish a couple of papers, go on conferences, and live a slice of the academic lifestyle. The money was good and I was seriously contemplating doing my PhD because I built a lot of connections, had an exceptional academic record, and didn't mind the academic lifestyle. I applied for a PhD program for the next year and received an APA scholarship. I had 8 months from my letter of acceptance to the commencement date of the course so I decided to apply for roles outside academia to see what it was like. Long story short I never went back to do my PhD. I never experienced what it was like to live a life without a job that seeps into all aspects of your life. I'm sure there are academics who can separate their work and life but the majority including myself that I worked with didn't do that. The flexibility of academia is great but can seep into aspects of your personal life. If you have a personality that can handle that then academia is probably a good choice. I like a 9-5 role because I switch my brain off when I'm out the office most of the time. This and stability of income were the main reasons to leave. I highly recommend anybody contemplating on doing a PhD to go outside of academia and work a "normal" job for a bit to see what it is like before committing.

[@KazHitsugi]

It helped me a lot, thank you.

[@antonvalentine4488]

Have you considered switching fields of study? I'm now looking to dive into tech after having spent years in academia, government, the BPO industry, and the food manufacturing industry. I had an undergraduate in chemistry, a masters in communication, an uncompleted Law degree, and now I'm striving to get a diploma in information technology. What a mess. But hey, I can relate much to your anxieties and pursuits, Andy. New subscriber here. Keep the videos coming.

[@PhiyackYuh]

Whats the reason for diploma in IT? Is it because of the money and job demand nowadays?

[@danielfromca]

In my view it really depends on your personality. If you prefer to work mostly on your own, academia is the only alternative that offers that. On the other hand, if you prefer more structured environments and to work intricately in groups, industry might be the right choice. (You might think you're working in groups in academia, but really you're semi independent rather than in a tight hierarchy, where your boss can see you and your work as a stepping stone to their future promotion and financial welfare, which is freeing. In academia the interests of others are more independent from yours, which in my view contributes to better mental health in the long run).

[@Frisbieinstein]

? I was a programmer in industry. For me it was quite isolating.

[@emmanuelameyaw9735]

Hi Andy...I like your opening statement.🙂

[@magr590]

Your channel is pure gold man, I glad I discovered it. I did the phd in a company and I am happy that I moved to a public research center as a postdoc.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks so much and welcome!

[@zmesopotamia6792]

As a PhD student, this video is very helpful for me. I really appreciate your time and effort for making those great videos! Greetings from Ireland.

[@christopherrosado6053]

Happiness is getting up in the morning, healthy and realizing you have a new 24 hrs of this thing called "Life" And life changes / flips to be cliche on a dime. Impermanence so be mindful and enjoy all daily pursuits with time, not in abundance given

[@LilBrownieD]

I think people who try to tell you money isn't everything are trying to encourage workers to accept suffering for little pay. Those people usually make a lot of money...

[@ishmaelcamillo]

I’m only a sophomore but it’s so helpful and insightful to have these videos TYSM🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Happy to help, David. Thank you for watching!

[@oluwatosinobaseki4087]

This is a very good video

[@BradPeirson]

Academia. Easily. I've been an industrial engineer for 20 years. Becoming the academic program director was the best decision I ever made.

[@HaydenHatTrick]

Nice, I'm coming to appreciate this channel more and more :) PS 0:36 "and now, I don't even know what I'm doing" You're creating a personal brand!

[@darrelldamon2745]

Lol

[@lottaek1202]

This sentence "I'll be happy when [insert literally anything: I lose weight, I finish my PhD, I get a new job, I move to a new city]" is so incredibly toxic and stops you from enjoying the good thing you have now. It doesn't even have anything to do with academia, it's just an overall recipe to be miserable your whole life.

[@putriestimandasari8904]

Super!

[@kasiatutak5240]

You nail it :D

[@aplummer57037]

Great video Andy. Glad to see you’re as passionate as ever 😀. What about Government work, though?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Hi Andrew! Great to hear from you. I think You'd be better placed to talk about that than me!

[@onoakposehaefekodha3974]

from chemistry to percussions 😆you have really done all there is to do

[@silentlessons4221]

i worked at cummins, one of the prestigious institutions in the world. got good money. but ooops i never was happy despite others envying to be in my position.

[@Lasyltherni]

This last point makes me wonder... is it really change that makes people happy, or are young people everywhere in need of more guidance, broader perspectives, and more TRUTH about how things in their supposedly desired careers actually work? Perhaps young people are ultimately unable to make long term career choices and later in life with more experience they come to more accurate realizations about themselves as well as potential careers.

[@couch_philosoph3325]

I study philosophy (master) and last week i was at a workshop of the philosophy of science in germany. For whatever reason they thought i could come (im swiss) as they invite a small pool of students to participate. I was amazed at the creativity in this field. There are scientists, philosophers and a lot of interdisciplinary research. I would suggest to every scientist that isn't happy working day-in day-put in a lab, to consider going into the philosophy of science. Oftentimes, you can still do research, but you can do more creative things with it

[@arnigessellepornea7694]

This is very timely on what I’m currently experiencing, got an industry job before I received my phd. But upon spending time in the company (1month), oddly I missed the time flexibility of academia and the joy of publishing papers. Now I’m confused If I should go back to academia 😞

[@saraoberrauch]

Hi! how are you going now? Did you end up staying? I'd say give yourself some more time. New is always confusing and different, and the grass is always greener on the other side. I'd suggest working with yourself/on yourself and ask what you want in life, generally, what are your values and what suits your personality better. Also, there's even more options than academia vs industry, as Andy has shown, and many others :)

[@NA-ud6qm]

In response to your statement of "Money doesn't buy Happiness" I believe that money is a requirement for happiness. Every individual has a baseline that they must have in their income in order to maintain themselves above the base of Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs. If you are NOT above that baseline, then you WILL experience depression and sadness. However, I believe that every individual has an individualistic BASELINE that each person holds.

[@ABDU7194]

Academia and industry have different advantages and disadvantages, but I believe industry offers more opportunities for development and improvement than academia. I have experience in both sectors, so I can compare them objectively.

[@hammondvoodoo9555]

There is no such thing as the perfect job. I believe that ambitious people are rarely truly satisfied. To me it's rather about making less bad compromises. We're all confronted with individual situations. Therefore, the transferability of experience - whether in industry or academia - is rather limited. Career is a journey into the unknown to a certain degree, despite all (self-)knowledge and direction we think that we have. It's very important (for me at least) that there is a reason to go to work that has nothing to do with the work itself. That's what drives you even when things seem pretty bleak at work.

[@ianboard544]

My father was a tenured professor, I work in industry. My take: if you haven't gotten tenure yet, industry is probably better. OTOH, once you have tenure, you're above a lot of the backbiting bullshit and it's a pretty sweet gig.

[@user-zb3op6vz3c]

How do human👥 civilizations evolve from Middle Dark Ages to Industrial🏭 Age and then onto Modern 20th and 21st century? Answering this question completely will help you to realize😃 the critical and crucial connection between a PhD📜 (in STEM 🧬📡field) and industry🏭.

[@SomeOne-sq2hg]

I am sorry for writing this, but the reason for the sorrow you experienced, both in academia and industry, is that you studied chemistry. This area has distinct characteristics, which are, in a nutshell, poor academic horizon and shitty jobs supply. It is not that chemistry jobs don't exist, they do, it's just that no chemistry graduate wants to work there, especially after years spent in the glory of the academia.

[@antonvalentine4488]

I second this. I took up Chemistry at the ripe mind of 16 for the twisted logic that "it's a difficult subject thus fewer graduates thus less competition thus more job options thus better career thus more money." Boy oh boy was I wrong.

[@Quacky]

"Here is everything you need to know about happiness" IF you know yourself... i guess?! *cries in anxiety*

[@frosty3693]

Whenever someone talks about "money is not everything" is a person who has some.

[@elliottfowler8415]

Why not neither? National Labs exist in the states, and many other countries.

[@Beapartofmyuniverse]

Yeah first comment 😀

[@bignose3639]

🎯💥🙏🏿

[@Ash-hd8nw]

Perhaps you should've consider a job in National labs....

[@Alia-vg3ih]

I am a final year undergraduate chemistry student. And I am thinking for MS in materials chemistry but still confused about the industrial jobs related to this field. Is it a wise decision to go for this field??? Your videos are very helpful you got a new subscriber from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@muhammadzahidnazir1232]

It totally depends upon your interests. Chemistry as being a central science spans from biological to physical sciences. In your MS, what ever specialization you choose, you might have to specialize one of the subject within chemistry. Find you answer to research vs industry and learn more about different fields of chemistry (inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, biochem, quantum, electrochem and even there are interdisciplinary like biophysical or bioinorganic chem etc). By answering all you can easily analyze the correct way.

[@Alia-vg3ih]

@@muhammadzahidnazir1232 Thanks for your reply ! Materials chemistry seems a better option to me, as it wouldn't be boring to create new materials with wonder properties. So 'll go for it. Mostly chemistry graduates want to pursue their post-grad in either organic, inorganic, or physical. Little do they go for interdisciplinary fields like materials and nano-tech and idk what is the reason behind it? But yeah interest is imp and everyone should follow it as not putting heart into sth and still doing it forcefully only brings chaos (both mental and financial)

[@muhammadzahidnazir1232]

@@Alia-vg3ih I had my bsc thesis in Physical analytical chemistry (to be specific electro analytical chemistry). I felt amazing using modern spectrophotometers and electrochemical cells. Why mostly people go for inorganic, organic and physical chemistry is due to fact that what career they want to follow. e.g, if you do MS after bsc chemistry, the provincial commission (PPSC ) will not hire such candidates for academic potions in chemistry in Punjab, Pakistan. If you want career in corporate then it’s all fine because they usually don’t bother what you studied unless one prove them their skills for that job. And you better know chemistry have a limited career here in Pakistan. Academia is main one and popular (but you have to pursue your studies following local bureaucratic rules) corporate have pharma involving analytical chemistry. Otherwise you will hardly find applications for material science in Pakistan. With degree in organic, one may find job as chemicals are synthesised in limited quantities here. Same for inorganic (paint industry).

[@Alia-vg3ih]

@@muhammadzahidnazir1232 Yes, you are right. The worst thing is limited number of jobs. Thanks for your guidance. It has given me a complete overlook of all the things I have been thinking about. God bless you for this!!

[@MrProy33]

We don't use happy as a measuring stick. The term we use is satisfaction, as it applies to interpersonal relationships and self-reported states. Academics are never happy. It's not allowed.

[@SWAMIJIist]

In India, all the points except money go to Academia.More stable,more flexible, and better work hours.

[@ArthurSchoppenweghauer]

Academia: work on obscure meaningless bullshit and don't get paid, worry about rent, etc. Industry: work on obscure meaningless bullshit and get paid, don't worry about rent, etc. Is this seriously a question?

[@johntacolopez6651]

"I don't know what I'm doing" lol

[@MrGTO86]

I thought you were going to say "giving people concussions" when you said you started a concussion business 😂

[@r.h.4748]

Spending money with ZERO work and ZERO effort, genuinely brings me happiness. I challenge philosophers and gurus out there (those ikigai folk): I can GUARANTEE that it will be the most authentic happiness that has every existed. If there are any devils out there with a contract, bring it on! To hell with grit and cognitive dissonance.

[@Frisbieinstein]

Life? Happy?

[@DG-mk7kd]

I always thought "explosives chemist" was the definition of happiness mess with chemicals and blow $hit up, who could ask for anything more?

[@veryexciteddog963]

imagine being in academia or industry [Learn from his mistakes]

[@gokueatz930]

You look like a reverse Goku the orange and blue.

[@rosomak8244]

Academia nowadays is basically a very prolonged kindergarten. An adult life overall is much much better.

[@workforyouraims]

I don't think the point is to be happy necessarily but happiness comes from the people in your life not from a job or a career.

[@mendelian8768]

Well i know a physicist who choose alcohol and be done with it. He was a smart guy, now he is harassing his neighbors and get drunk all day. Might be a valid option.

[@umbertojuniormele1536]

Thanks for your videos, they Help a lot! 🫶🏻