[argonaut]

I will say that fortunately things are better in computer science academia. (Note I'm assuming you go to a top school for your PhD). The extreme competition is still there (even at a top 4 school), but:

1) it is common to skip a postdoc or only do 1 postdoc

2) the "backup" option is going to work for an industry research lab or a tech company for 200k+ per year. And if your field is one applicable to industry, like systems (databases, networking, distributed systems, OS) or AI/ML, you've also gained skills that actually do command a salary premium (although the premium does not come close to the opportunity cost of a PhD) and some job security.

[pmiller2]

Yeah, I didn't mention that. Things are much better in a handful of technical fields, CS foremost among them. Math, engineering, physics, and economics all have some possibilities outside academia. Most other fields, you might as well cross off those years on your CV if you're looking to industry.

Also, if you spend more than 1 year "out of the game," forget about ever getting back on the academic track.

[argonaut]

Yeah. My impression is that spending a few years in industry research (and publishing) still leaves the door open for the academic track, although this is all hearsay.

[skosuri]

I've spent a couple of years out of the game and was fine. It is on the rare side though.

[indubitably]

Are you in HR?