Comment by echelon

I was on the biochem track in undergrad. I was particularly interested in disease metabolics and cloning.

I switched to tech and entrepreneurship because it scratched more itches, provided substantially more money, didn't come with the stresses of academia, and could conceivably put me on a path to returning to biochem with loads of resources and full research independence.

I see biochem companies getting venture funding now, but that wasn't always the case. And they're still unfavorable relative to tech ventures.

I still don't think the grad school + academia path is comfortable enough for those that take it. It's a real labor of love, and I admire those that stick with it.