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OP, perhaps you can add some details of your situation, considerations, and thought process.
Without that, I don't know why it matters whether a person was "a world class research, scientist or technologist" or an attorney, or engineer, or whatever......giving up a high-fly job is giving up a high-flying job.
Basically there are 2 different cases, they can overlap but, one where the high income is given up, the other is where world class achievements are given up. Money versus intellectual stimulus. It is something exciting when you create something that never existed before, by using your intellect, something that indirectly affects the lives of millions. First time touching some technology that will years later be in textbooks. Either of these 2 can be a reason for taking an exhausting job in an unbearable place. But for how long...
I design hardware that is as high end as it can get, borderline physics science in silicon valley.
OK and....so...a person could end up in text books...unless MONEY comes with it....
Notoriety is great but some are into it for the selfish need to be fawned over.
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the other is where world class achievements are given up. Money versus intellectual stimulus. It is something exciting when you create something that never existed before, by using your intellect, something that indirectly affects the lives of millions. First time touching some technology that will years later be in textbooks. Either of these 2 can be a reason for taking an exhausting job in an unbearable place.
^^
Of course, I'd have to talk with the person in question and have varied discussions. Because you could be a person who is caught up in his own ego. Personally, I'm not into fame and "posterity." IF, in the course of my normal work I'd do something of world greatness, great. But it sounds like the person you describe would be chasing greatest, just for the fame of it. Not because that's what they really wanted to do as an occupation.
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Berkeley EE PhD program $30k/semester. Times 8 = $240k.
But please, it's off topic.
You have to pay to get a PhD from UC Berkeley? That sucks.
One quote that stuck with me when I was applying for PhD programs was from a mentor:
"If you have to pay for your PhD the school either doesn't want you that bad or it's not a school you want a PhD from".
On the main topic. I was a hi-po in the tech arm of a fortune 20 company and was about 12 months from being a director of data science and I gave it up to work for a smaller consulting firm. I didn't take a pay cut, it was about a 5-10% bump, but my old pay structure was ~20% bonus, ~15% stock and 65% salary. My new role is 94% salary and 6% bonus, so more guaranteed every year. I also get to work from home, and just recently got offered stock options vesting over a 7 year period for the company as well.
OK and....so...a person could end up in text books...unless MONEY comes with it....
Notoriety is great but some are into it for the selfish need to be fawned over.
^^
Of course, I'd have to talk with the person in question and have varied discussions. Because you could be a person who is caught up in his own ego. Personally, I'm not into fame and "posterity." IF, in the course of my normal work I'd do something of world greatness, great. But it sounds like the person you describe would be chasing greatest, just for the fame of it. Not because that's what they really wanted to do as an occupation.
.
so, every person who works in research or science are ego maniacs?
Fame does not always come with it, at least outside of the research field. The end users will have no idea who developed some technology. So it's not (just) fame, rather the knowledge of creating something great that is useful for a lot of people. Some are consumer goods providing comfort or entertainment, others save or improve lives (like bio-med research). Have you ever made anything? Also people working on big movies, or athletes playing in national league teams. Leaving a (small) mark in the world while you are alive is something that many people want to do. But is it worth it in on a long term?
I would imagine most people below age 45 today never even had the option of a "high flying career" these days to give up on, so you probably won't get a huge amount of responses except from retirees?
so, every person who works in research or science are ego maniacs?
Not at all. I didn't say, nor did I imply, that.
As you say, most of the considerations a person weighs when thinking about leaving any kind of "high-flying" job are common to all. (Even among those who don't have 'high-flying' jobs.)
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So it's not (just) fame, rather the knowledge of creating something great that is useful for a lot of people. Some are consumer goods providing comfort or entertainment, others save or improve lives (like bio-med research).
All I meant to convey was that those could be ego driven factors.
I never had a high flying career but I figured I'd respond anyways. I have an MBA and I am choosing (trying to get into the field, actually) a career as a high/middle school teacher over a business career. Basically I was looking for a job that paid at least a middle-class salary, and that, at least to me, did not feel like "work" and therefore I would enjoy it (although teachers of course work hard). I like teaching, and I like the time off teachers get during the year. I did not want to reflect on my life as an old man and have memories largely composed of being in some cubical or office for so long.
I did years ago. The Business Administration degree is a joke. I wanted to move to Atlanta or DC back in the early '90's and get a high profile job. Was willing to work my way up the ladder, but most companies wanted to put me in the mail room, or even in their receiving departments. Got so upset. I knew I didn't need a degree to work in the mail room or a shipping/receiving department. I stopped reaching for the stars, and decided to reach for the paycheck.
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