Is there any profession that can actually make you happy?

Today was a hectic day. I was walking back from class with another batch mate of mine trying to finalize on what courses we would choose for the upcoming semester at IIT Indore, not knowing that this conversation would last for more than 3 hours and would give me so much more information to what life actually is and what role we play in it. So, hang on tight guys!!!

Computational Astrophysics OR Some theory course that can give me a wide understanding of various research areas in astrophysics? Why DO I Care, Simply cause I will be working on my research interest for the next academic year and probably 5 years of my PHd (if I choose that road). Can I choose BOTH? Unfortunately, NOT. What’s more Important? That’s where it all began.

He said, you know what, ask yourself a simple question? What can you choose to give away? I said both are important. Computational Astrophysics is a like a skill set and theory courses will help me narrow down my research interest. But here is the catch! We can audit one course( fancy way of saying you can choose to sit in the class and give the paper, wouldn’t give you credits) or simply just ask the prof if you could sit in the class just like rancho from 3 idiots to learn stuff.

I decided that I would do Computational Astrophysics and sit in one of the theory courses like rancho. To which he questioned, why not rancho the computational astrophysics and take the theory course. I simply told him, computational astrophysics highly intensive on algo and it would be better I focus on gaining this skillset. Theory courses are meant to give me a broader understanding of the world, I don’t actually have to use too much of brain actively to crack problems or have a hands on like I would need to do with coding.

To which he asked, Why not choose something that inspires you more or something that you can do out of sheer interest like if computational astrophysics is about learning the algo, why not find the right sources online or by ranchoing the course and learn it. If coding gives you the kick, why not approach this way. He asked me what is more interesting to you learning to code or reading theory? What is something that you can do on your own?

Good Question, I answered. Thought for a moment and responded. None. I am never really excited about reading about some complex math equation or reading some random theory that describes particles in 4 dimensions. Instead, the motivational factor has always been to solve questions. I would call myself a problem solver. As long as this problem is helping humanity and as long as I don’t use unethical practices to achieve my goals, I am good to go.

This, thought was something that made me discover myself more. Later walking along the way back to the hostel made me realize that I am not sure if I want to peruse my career in Data Science or PHd and work with some research institute. After careful analysis of myself, I figured that the kick that I got solely was when I was able to use mathematics to explain real life problems. I wouldn’t be able to work solely on pure mathematics and equations. Instead, if the math made sense to explain the quantum mechanical, statistical and real life problems, then that gave me a rush of adrenaline.

Cracking this piece to the puzzle. The next question was to find out which are the departments or organizations in the world that work with such kind of mindsets. From my limited knowledge, I figured that the physics community and the data science community work with the same aligned goals. Data scientist work on how to use math to make predictions on data. While, astrophysicist or just physicist use math to explain how the world works. Data Science and Physicist are just terms we have coined for people with such mindsets. Later we pondered on what my interests are. For me the kick was never from what subject or topic I was working on. It was always that I had a problem and I knew I had to solve it. So, from childhood I was never able to bin my interests into a Neuro-scientist, Astrophysicist or Doctor. I always was bad at something, which I took onto my ego to become better at it. To do good in any profession, there always needs to be an emotional driving element that will keep you going. For example, someone who faced extreme poverty in early ages strives for money in later stages of his life. Similarly, a physically weak person tries to strengthen her/himself to fight against the society. For me initial entering into a problem statement is entirely a ego question, Why can I not solve it? Then after being with it for a long time it’s always about how this idea or work is affecting humanity, or is it even?

To me right now, I want to be in a domain that is highly mathematical, Data science or a research scientist? Both in their own way are challenging and affect humanity in the long run. So what to choose?

Then after talks about global innovations, Tesla, spaceX. I was able to figure out that when does boredom kick in. Working in a firm with fixed goals, makes my work mundane after a certain point. Since the company has a restricted number of clients, it only makes sense that after a finite amount of time there will be a point when I would not have a steep learning curve and my work would be more or less copy-paste.

But research institutes or academic institutes don’t have this restriction. I can work on whatever topic excites me and have a meaningful purpose to life. Cracking the fact, the my interest are not in an area. I would be more of a problem solver. It looks like I would just be happy being a Data scientist, I would get exposure to various fields and get daily adrenaline rushes. What more to expect?

But here is another question that left me thinking? He told me if I work as a Data scientist I would have limited domain knowledge about various areas but wouldn’t be a master of any space. Would I want to be a jack of all and master of none? What would be the purpose to my life??? AHH tough one huh?

I don’t think I had an answer to that on the back of my mind. Also another point he brought up later was that businesses are always focused on delivering products as soon as possible to their client. With so much of restricted time frame in hand would I be able to creatively use math to create most optimal models to solve the problems or just better than industry standard to keep the business going. Can creativity kick in with limited time frame in hand?

Are there companies in the world that hire research professional and don’t pressurize them with stringent deadlines to help receive maximum results. To this we did talk about Tesla and how spaceX had 3 unsuccessful trial until Elon jeopardized his money into both to survive both organizations and thus keeping his both dreams alive. He is truly an inspiration to any person that want to make a change in this world. But anyways coming back to the topic.

Even if such roles exist in such companies, can we be the most productive? Yes! Can we be the most creative and find most optimal solutions with the given deadlines? Ahh prob not!

So, then PHD? Umm, well consider the same case. You do a Phd and a couple of postdocs till you achieve a assistant professor role or a research scientist role in a firm. What do you do there?

Everyone is running for higher achievement! Higher respect! More Money! More publications ! More Connections!

And what is the driving factor in such a setup. It’s jealousy. So, the work that you do will be diluted by this. Basically all that you do is just to show smart you are and to basically sell your self as you do in a job.

Then, PhD or Job? None … Haha.

Well that’s what life is all about a job or a career is basically some work that gets you money. Someone which more money, respect and achievements, fuels jealousy that leads to you achieving more stuff. But what is the gateway that helps you do this is KNOWLEDGE. So knowledge can be achieved from a person at home with a phone or at even the most expensive institutes. The important thing is the mindset of the seeker.

Thus, Data Science or PhD. Learning is a must and honestly any career end goal is money which is fueled by jealousy. You might be the best at something, but when you discover someone better at it, your ego can’t take that and then you seek for knowledge and after a point when you harmonize with the subject or interest area you begin to get creative ideas on the same.

So, what can give you the exposure is money. Therefore, money is a gateway to opportunities and must not be taken as an addiction. I feel working 9 to 5 will not be the most happiest thing in the world. People might make you happy or sad but as long as the work in some way correlates to your interest areas you can achieve unbounded happiness or success. Your answers will never be the most optimal in the first go. But that’s where you attitude to learning kicks in. If that hungry mind goes on for grabbing the best solutions, you will never fail. There is no such profession that will make you happy forever. It’s your learning that will get you to you ultimate goal!!! These were some of my deep thought and lessons. I hope you were able to resonate with some of my thought and learn something new about life!

Cheers!