[BeetleB]

>I sorely regret the decision and consider it to have fundamentally ruined my life beyond repair.

Are you sure you would not feel the same way had you gone straight to industry? Musing over those who stayed, got their PhDs, and are in fascinating, high paying jobs?

My suggestion is that you try not to have an external locus of control.

I spent 7 years in grad school, realized a PhD won't get me the job I was seeking, and quit. As a result, everything you say is also true for me, and I don't even have the degree to show for it.

But I also know that grad school was a great time for me, and I did get most of what I wanted out of it. As for my not-so-great industry outcome, I do know I'm not really putting a huge amount of effort to improve it.

The PhD is about the journey. The certificate at the end is just a technicality. Could it be that you valued the certificate more than the journey?

[mav3rick]

It's also easier to have rewarding high paying career in the industry.