[zenbowman]

Academia is far more cutthroat and stressful than programming. It is not even close.

Coming to industry after being in academia was like being on permanent vacation.

One thing I would recommend: Try a programming job outside the Valley, preferably somewhere where tangible goods are produced. It doesn't have to be outside the technology industry, technology companies are not limited to Internet startups. Big oil, the automotive industry, defense and aerospace, these are all industries whose primary business is the development of technology.

And even "non-technical" companies like Walmart have demonstrated a lot more technical prowess than the average trendy startup, and my guess is that the hours are very reasonable.

[WoodenChair]

Of course your experience is as anecdotal as mine - I find academia much more forgiving than startup land/corporate land. It's also worth noting that academia is a broad term with many different professions encompassed within it.