[ndemir]

I am not a FAANG engineer but I hold a Ph.D. (computer science). I completed my Ph.D. in 8 years while I was working in the private industry. During this time frame; in my private life, I became a father ;) And, at work, my responsibilities grew - from being a developer to being a manager. I came close to quitting my Ph.D. many times and many of the fellows - who were also working in private industry and doing Ph.D. - quit in a couple of years.

I know the problems you mentioned are not the same as the ones I mentioned. What I am trying to say is; if you have some kind of stubbornness - and also you like to research, you just start and stick.