Graduate of a major Australian University, 1999 PhD. Theoretical Physics (High Energy Physics).

Did do postdoctoral research and taught undergrad Uni Physics, but only for a few years - then chose a career in Information Technology which I found very interesting as early as my ugrad years.

Almost a twenty year no contact with physics and academia, but started posting answers to questions on PSE in August 2020.

Realized that how much I needed to recall was frightening and disheartening. Almost a reckoning of the kind: "was that a waste of time and money?"$\bf\ddagger$

Hoping there are other physics pgrads/pdocs who chose other professions that come to this same realization...oh the loneliness and feelings of ineptitude! :|

"One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day."

Albert Einstein.

$^\bf\ddagger$ So, therefore no. It was not.