Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

[HyacinthMacaw]

Hey everyone,

Just thought it would be interesting to survey everyone's career choices and life plans. I think this is also a good opportunity to remind ourselves that, broadly speaking, where we go for grad school probably doesn't matter as much as who we are. Whether we go to our top choice or to our last choice program or take another path altogether, chances are that we'll be just as happy 10 years down the road.

Seriously, folks, I never had the confidence to love what I do, but when I found it I discovered a well of resilience from which I could draw for the rest of my life. No petty adcom can stand in the way of that. There is something to be said about how our individual disposition buffers us from heartbreak. Our passion, character, inquisitiveness, creativity, and industriousness stay with us no matter where we go or what happens to us, and by and large these are mutable traits subject to our noble efforts to hone them.

At least that's what I would like to think. What are your thoughts?

Edited February 22, 2011 by HyacinthMacaw

[kotov]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcR7hr4LLQg&feature=related

Seriously though, I have no idea. Matt Foley's guess is as good as mine.

Edited February 22, 2011 by kotov

[nhyn]

Hey everyone,

Just thought it would be interesting to survey everyone's career choices and life plans. I think this is also a good opportunity to remind ourselves that, broadly speaking, where we go for grad school probably doesn't matter as much as who we are. Whether we go to our top choice or to our last choice program or take another path altogether, chances are that we'll be just as happy 10 years down the road.

Seriously, folks, I never had the confidence to love what I do, but when I found it I discovered a well of resilience from which I could draw for the rest of my life. No petty adcom can stand in the way of that. There is something to be said about how our individual disposition buffers us from heartbreak. Our passion, character, inquisitiveness, creativity, and industriousness stay with us no matter where we go or what happens to us, and by and large these are mutable traits subject to our noble efforts to hone them.

At least that's what I would like to think. What are your thoughts?

Well put. Since you study psychology I'm sure you've read/heard about the "happiness set-point"/subjective well-being threshold. Of course whether this is true needs more research, data, etc., but intuitively, I believe it. Whatever path we choose, our happiness level is really up to us and less likely to depend on the events happened to us. Even after being bitter for 4 years about not going to a big university (I went to a small, reputed liberal arts college, but even though its reputed and has good resources, for labs and psych research, it still can't compare with good, big unis), I still believe it is what we make of it (I guess I didn't work hard enough ).

Although...hahaha being the pessimistic that I am, I think whatever I do I'll still find something to be unhappy about, something to regret, so might as well do what I want most right now, at this very moment, and maybe regret it later

Edited February 22, 2011 by nhyn

[Kathiza]

Haha, I marked all options for "living situation" because I really don't know and I could be happy/unhappy with any of these choices. I don't think I'll have children yet. But ever knows what's going to happen...

[HyacinthMacaw]

Well put. Since you study psychology I'm sure you've read/heard about the "happiness set-point"/subjective well-being threshold. Of course whether this is true needs more research, data, etc., but intuitively, I believe it. Whatever path we choose, our happiness level is really up to us and less likely to depend on the events happened to us. Even after being bitter for 4 years about not going to a big university (I went to a small, reputed liberal arts college, but even though its reputed and has good resources, for labs and psych research, it still can't compare with good, big unis), I still believe it is what we make of it (I guess I didn't work hard enough ).

Although...hahaha being the pessimistic that I am, I think whatever I do I'll still find something to be unhappy about, something to regret, so might as well do what I want most right now, at this very moment, and maybe regret it later

Agreed! Regret and self-criticism, though, usually aren't effective in the long run. So let's just embrace/assert our individuality, pursue what satisfies our needs for mastery, pleasure, and intimacy, and learn from our mistakes without beating ourselves up. I have always thought that is the healthiest thing to do--and the best way to absorb setbacks. If we act consistent with our values, we can keep sadness, shame, and anger in check, and we'll find contentment irrespective of adcoms' decisions. Cheers, and all the best!

[Eigen]

While the 6 figure incomes of industry might seduce me away, the reason I'm in grad school is that I really want to teach... So I'll likely end up in academia. 10 years should put me a few years into a TT position somewhere, hopefully- I've got 3-4 more years to finish my PhD, then one or two post-doc positions, and then the big job search.

I'm married now, so with all luck and probability, I'll still be married in 10 years. I really don't see myself with children quite yet, although that's getting to about the point in our life we plan on having them, so it's hard to say.