What does any of this have to do with physics? (2016)
My whole childhood and young life I wanted to go into physics academia. I wanted to have influence - to push the boundaries of science. I had an idyllic view of this purely meritocratic system where people were paid to explore. My first year of undergrad utterly destroyed this notion. I left as soon as I had my bachelors degree. I knew what would await me in grad and post grad work and I'd seen post docs cry after endless work for grants. I wanted financial freedom and happiness, and that eventually won over pushing the boundaries of science. So sorry young me - I quit too.