I find it interesting how many articles and people on HN say something similar. I had basically the opposite thoughts (and outcomes) from my PhD. I loved the 5 years I spent in my program, I learned a ton about super interesting topics, I learned a ton of very applicable skills, I met and befriended many extremely intelligent and kind individuals, and I immediately got a job after graduating. I’m still at that job, and it’s amazing, 2 and a half years later. (And I didn’t do my work at an Ivy League or anything, I was at Wayne State in Detroit).

Frankly, the only thing I wish I would have realized beforehand is that you’re basically forming your young adult friend group with a bunch of people who are going to be spread out over the globe in ~5 years. That part is hard. Everything else was great.