<p>@RubADub (funny name for a depressing post :)) - I definitely don’t think you should get a PhD just because your parents want you to, it’s obviously making you miserable. Becoming a historian is a rare career not many people want, and it’s one of those things you have to really like to do, because what are the perks of being a historian? It’s not like being a lawyer where some people simply put up with Law school because in 3 years they’ll graduate and make money…you’re obviously intelligent but pushing yourself into a career you don’t want is a bad move. </p>
<p>It’s not just an Asian thing either; i’m white, my family’s been in this country like 400 years, and basically all of us go into finance/law/politics, and they pretty much assumed I’d do that. i’m thinking of getting an md or phd, but I’m also worried about the social aspects, difficulty, and how time-consuming it is…but to be honest, i’d rather be working in a hospital helping patients or in a lab doing research in a field I like as opposed to a 9-5 job finance job I hate…but it’s still something I’d think long and hard about. Something that sucks up so much of your life should be something you’re really passionate about, you know?</p>
<p>Or you could finish up your PhD and then travel with your band, but I mean, if you really really don’t want it, then it seems like you’re making yourself miserable over nothing. Would you be happy working as a professor or historian afterwards?</p>